California Man Contracts H1N1 While on Vacation in Italy. Insurance Company Denies Life Saving Medical Air Lift Back to the US

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 23, 2019, LOS ANGELES, -- California couple Stan and Robin Thomas thought they were taking the vacation of a lifetime to Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Instead Stan Thomas became ill with H1N1 and now has pneumonia. He has been in ICU over a week and 2 weeks total in hospital in Florence, Italy. He is on oxygen and sedated in ICU. There has been no improvement with his lung infection. His Italian doctor recommended Stan be air evacuate back to the United States. Their request filed with their primary insurance provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield was declined. 

Stan is a 100% Disabled Marine.  He served on Active Duty at Camp, LeJune, NC in the early 90’s.  In 2005, Stan was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He has been through chemotherapy twice and is currently in remission.  In 2017, Stan received a 100% P&T disability rating from the Veterans Administration.  Because of this Stan has a compromised immune system. 

Stan and Robin arrived in Paris on May 4, 2019, as part of their 25^thWedding Anniversary trip.  While in Paris, Stan became ill.  By the time they arrived in Florence, Italy his conditioned worsened and he required medical attention.  He was admitted to the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital on May 9, 2019, and on May 15, 2019, he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  Stan had a lung infection, a temperature of 104 degrees, and pneumonia.  Stan later tested positive for the H1N1 Influenza Virus. 

 As of May 23, 2019 Stan has been on a mechanical ventilator for eight straight days.  He remains on a ventilator because his oxygen level remains low. The infection in Stan’s lungs has not worsened or improved.  He remains sedated and intubated.  The doctors want to perform a tracheotomy on Stan, and take him off sedation, however, they recommend performing it after he is moved. They continue to administer the most aggressive treatment possible to combat the pneumonia and fend off other types of infection. The inflammation in Stan’s lungs is caused by a virus so there is no medication for the doctors to treat it with.  

Robin and Stan had purchased a $1M Emergency Travel Insurance policy through Allianz. The Allianz representative stated the policy covers movement to the nearest treatment facility that provides a higher level of care.  But they do not believe that it is safe to transport Stan in his current condition.  This should be at the doctors discretion.  Not the insurance company.

Stan’s doctor (Dr. Massimo Baratinni) has advised the family that Stan needs to be transported to a facility that can provide Stan with a higher level of care than he is currently receiving. The language barrier is also somewhat problematic, as only one doctor speaks good English. And finally, moving Stan to Atlanta would provide us with the support resources (family and friends) we desperately need.  He may also require ECMO at some point. It is estimated that is could take up to 20 days or more before Stan will be healthy enough to fly commercially.  

Robin and Stan live in Los Angeles and have four sons. Robin is the Senior Vice President of Research for Tribune Media.

 From her Facebook Page:  

Update Day 8: As previously posted, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois declined our request for Aero Emergency Medical Evacuation to Atlanta. I have emailed the CEO of the parent company (Health Care Service Corporation) of Blue Cross Shield requesting reconsideration of their denial.

We are using #BringStanHome and Blue Cross Blue Shield #BCBS on all social media platforms to draw attention to Stan's case.

We are going to lobby our State Representatives for assistance.

Friends have set up a Go Fund Me campaign.  Here is link to the page:

https://www.gofundme.com/help-bring-stan-thomas-home?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&rcid=3f24ef392e4f41c7a10b3e25d8f28acf&fbclid=IwAR1L28jE3owms5NUnh78g8u3XoF5RgJ3M_S-c9kePS80aHUNObmNZStbDRY

UPDATE as of May 28th:

Stan's doctor performed a Tracheotomy on him yesterday. The procedure went well, and Stan is aware of his situation. This morning, when we arrived to the hospital, Stan was awake and alert. He is very frustrated that he is unable to speak, or move his extremities. He is able to swallow water, and communicated that he was hungry. Stan Thomas eyes are clear, but we still have a long way to go. Now that Stan is awake and alert, Robin Thomas and I are even more determined to get Stan home, so that he can begin receiving physical therapy. Please continue to pray for Stan and his family during this difficult time. #BringStanHome, #BCBS