BELLEVILLE – A disabled minor and her parents have filed suit against an insurer to restore coverage of 24-hour medical care.
Addison N. Hufker, by and through her parents, Nathaniel J. Hufker and Lisa A. Hufker, filed a complaint on Nov. 22 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, seeking declaratory judgment.
According to the complaint, Addison N. Hufker has multiple, life-threatening and critically disabling physical conditions from a brain injury at birth. The suit states she needs 24-hour, private duty nursing services but the defendant has opposed paying for it over the claims that it is a custodial service, which is not covered under the plan.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendant later determined that they needed 16 hours per day of private duty nursing care for Addison's needs, which was then later shortened to 12 hours per day.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek an order requiring defendant to restore the existing 24-hour private duty nursing benefits and such other necessary and proper relief.
They are represented by Mark S. Schuver and Melissa C. Meirink of Mathis, Marifian & Richter LTD in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-MR-376