Blue Shield of Calif. Sued for Denying Cervical Disc Surgery

Blue Shield of California was hit with a class action complaint by a health plan beneficiary who alleges the company “systematically” refuses to cover cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery for patients who seek treatment for the symptoms of cervical disc disease (Bush v. Cal. Physicians’ Serv.filed).

Named plaintiff Jeff Bush, who was covered under a group policy issued by Blue Shield to a private employer, said the insurer categorically denies services for cervical ADR on the basis that it is “investigational.” Blue Shield continues to deny all requests for the procedure despite the fact that it is ...