Cigna Prosthetic Coverage Suit Advances for Preemption Inquiry

A lawsuit challenging Cigna Health & Life Insurance Co.'s denial of coverage for man’s specialized prosthetic device is moving forward because it’s unclear whether a Maine law increasing access to these devices applies.

The plaintiff, who sought coverage for a microprocessor prosthetic device for his amputated leg, said Cigna was in violation of a Maine law requiring insurance carriers to cover the type of prosthetic device recommended by a patient’s doctor. Judge Nancy Torresen allowed the case to advance, saying in a Monday opinion that discovery was needed to determine whether the man’s health plan is funded by his employer ...