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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Collinsville man alleges Aetna unlawfully terminated benefits

Insurance 11

EDWARDSVILLE – A Collinsville man is suing an insurance company over claims it unlawfully terminated his disability benefits payments.

Terry Snodgrass filed a lawsuit May 9 in Madison County Circuit Court against Aetna Life Insurance Co., alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

According to the suit, Snodgrass had been receiving benefits from a short-term disability plan and a long-term disability plan provided by his former employer, Envision Healthcare Corp., and underwritten by Aetna. Despite its contractual obligation to make payments to Snodgrass, Aetna terminated benefits payable effective Sept. 12, 2015, the suit states.

In its decision to terminate disability benefits, Aetna allegedly used an unreasonable standard of evaluation that determined Snodgrass was capable of performing a "reasonable occupation." However, the suit states that Snodgrass is totally disabled and unable to work in any reasonable occupation.

The suit further states that under the provisions of the long-term disability plan, Aetna does not have discretionary power to determine eligibility to benefits.

Snodgrass seeks a judgment of more than $30,475.20, retroactive benefits, attorney fees, and costs of the suit. He is represented by attorney Brad L. Badgley in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-645

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