INSURER PAYS UP FOR GRAN
EXCLUSIVE: U-turn on £100k holiday medical bill
AN insurance company has backed down after refusing to pay the medical bills of a Glasgow woman who fell ill in Florida.
AN insurance company has been forced to back down after refusing to pay a Glasgow gran’s £100k medical bill.
Lorraine Romeo, 55, fell seriously ill and almost died after developing Influenza B on a dream family break to the sunshine state.
Adding to Lorraine’s woes, her insurers, Worlds First, rejected her claim for medical cover, without giving a clear reason, according to the family, leaving them in an impossible situation.
However, following pressure by the Evening Times and the finance ombudsman, the company has reversed its decision.
In an e-mail to Lorraine, the firm said: “I would like to assure you that the original decision to decline your travel claim has now been overturned.
“We wish you a swift recovery.”
Lorraine, who is originally from Royston but now lives in Lowestoft, Sussex, has now been transferred to the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, where she remains but is now on the road to recovery.
Speaking to the Evening Times from her hospital bed, she said: “It’s a huge relief.
“It’s been really terrible but I’m doing a lot better now.”
Her cousin Eddie Romeo, who lives i n Glasgow, thanked the Evening Times, saying, “Your help has been amazing.”
Lorraine flew out to the sunshine state in December with close family, including her six-year-old grandson Marley, but her first ever trip overseas turned i nto a nightmare.
The grandmother, who was born in Royston, suffers from the lung condition emphysema and started to feel unwell around eight days into the holiday.
She was taken to hospital and doctors diagnosed Influenza B.
Her situation deteriorated and she developed pneumonia and was transferred to intensive care.
Lorraine said: “I’ve still got pneumonia in my right lung and I can’t walk but I’m doing much better.”
The insurance company said in a statement: “We are currently awaiting the final bills to be provided to us by the treating facility, at which point these will be subject to usual process and review to then be put forward for payment approval.
“Our experience is that US hospital bills can often take some ti me to be fully submitted for review.”