Blue Cross Can’t Dodge $87K Air Ambulance Ride Lawsuit

Blue Cross of Idaho Health Services Inc. must defend a lawsuit challenging its failure to provide full coverage for the $87,000 costs of an insured’s medical transport by air ambulance.

The insured—an Albertson’s LLC employee who required two trips by air ambulance—exhausted his administrative remedies and thus can proceed with his lawsuit in federal court, Judge B. Lynn Winmill of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho said May 4.

The case is noteworthy for ruling that a letter sent by the air ambulance provider, Valley Med Flight, on behalf of the insured constituted an appeal of the ...