Case: Health & Welfare Benefits/Air Ambulance (D. Utah)

An air ambulance company can move forward with its claim for ERISA benefits against Aetna Life Insurance Co., the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah held. Aetna refused to cover an $89,725 medical bill for emergency transportation by helicopter. But it waived an anti-assignment provision when it processed Classic Air Care LLC’s claim and sent a partial payment of $8,834, the court said. The court rejected Classic Air’s argument that anti-assignment provisions should be invalid in emergency situations. It dismissed the company’s additional claims under ERISA and state law.