Man fights for coverage of daughter’s health expenses

BECKLEY — Enduring financial hardship as a result of his insurer’s alleged policy violation, a Raleigh County man filed a lawsuit against a Minnesota-based health care company alleging breach of contract beginning in 2010.

Ryan Snuffer filed a complaint against United Healthcare Services Inc. in Raleigh Circuit Court, claiming that the health care plan administrator reneged on its statement of coverage for his ailing child’s treatment.

According to the filing, the plaintiff has had medical coverage through the defendant since 2008 for himself and his daughter, who allegedly has a rare condition requiring specialized treatment and medications.

The suit documents communication between Snuffer and the insurance carrier from May 2010 through November 2011, regarding coverage of specific products that allegedly allowed his child to survive.

Snuffer contends that the defendant is in breach of contract by disallowing his daughter’s medication and treatment coverage. Having incurred medical bills of approximately $43,487.98, he alleges pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiff seeks general and compensatory damages in the exact disputed amount; pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs, and all other costs deemed appropriate at trial.

He is represented by Kyle Lusk and Matthew Bradford of Lusk & Bradford in Beckley. The case has been assigned to Judge H. Louis Kirkpatrick.

Raleigh Circuit Court case number 15-C-375-H