BENEFITS BLOW FOR CARWYN
Island man recovering in America from lifethreatening blood infection and double amputation has cash aid cut by his bosses
A MAN still recovering from a life-threatening blood infection has had his health benefits stopped by the company he works for.
Carwyn Edwards, from Bodedern in Anglesey, works for health insurance company Cigna in the USA.
Having been in various hospitals with infective endocarditis since February, and had both legs partially amputated, Carwyn has now been told that Cigna will stop his medical benefits from September 12.
Carwyn has had several setbacks in his recovery and his brother Aled said: “I spoke with Carwyn’s case manager last night, who told me that Cigna will be stopping his health benefits.
“Carwyn can barely move in his bed, can’t sit up on his own, has a weak heart, has had barely any physio, doesn’t have a wheelchair and hasn’t seen any sign of a prosthesis.”
The Anglesey man had recently started a new job for Cigna when he fell ill, but his insurance previously only covered 85% of the cost and he had to pay for the remaining 15%.
An online crowdfunding campaign to help with Carwyn’s health care bills has raised almost £39,000.
Although the family do not know how much the treatment will cost, being airlifted from one hospital to another costs $30,000.
The 39-year-old has lived in the United States for 13 years.
He has had seven operations since it emerged he was suffering from infective endocarditis – a potentially fatal bacterial infection in the blood.
He has also suffered an aneu- rysm and several blood clots.
There is a 20% chance he will need dialysis for the rest of his life following the illness.
Aled plans to fly to the United States to try to deal with Cigna and to see whether Carwyn can be flown home to continue his treatment in the UK.
Cigna told the Mail’s sister paper the Daily Post they could not go into detail about the case, but a spokesman said: “We can say that our case workers have been in communication with this individual and will continue to address his concerns directly with him.”