Blue Shield has been involved in a controversy recently, regarding medical coverage in an already failing health care system that is in dire need of a reform.

 

Apparently, Blue Shield dropped health coverage for approximately 700 Californians after they got sick. However, Blue Shield has promised to reissue the coverage for the 700 Californians whose only fault was getting sick. Moreover, they vowed they would drastically change the manner in which they handle health insurances purchased by citizens, according to a statement issued by state officials.

 

Blue Shield, a part of California’s Life and Health Co., stated that they would reimburse consumers who paid out of their pocket for services that should have been covered by their policies, had they not been cancelled by Blue Shield.

 

The health insurer agreed to reimburse the customers who lost their health coverage between January 1^st, 2004 and May 31^st, 2008.

 

Problems began for health insurers after several articles published in The Times revealed some unethical practices among the insurers. Many companies cancelled policies once their customers got sick, and left them to fend – and pay – for themselves. These practices are, of course, caused by the state of recession in the United States, but the state of the economy is no excuse for these practices. One can only imagine how devastating an insurance cancellation can be for a person after they get sick, on medical, emotional and financial levels.