Virginia Mom Who Lost Arm In Shark Attack Denied Insurance Coverage for $73K Prosthetic Arm
Imagine losing a limb in a shark attack, surviving against all odds, and then being denied insurance coverage for a life-changing prosthetic hand worth $73,000. This is the harsh reality that Elisabeth Foley, a brave mother of three from Virginia, is currently facing.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Foley, who lost most of her left arm in a terrifying shark encounter in June 2024, received devastating news from her health insurer, Cigna Healthcare. Despite being informed in October that she would receive a myoelectric prosthetic hand just in time for Christmas, Cigna made a U-turn and denied her claim, citing that her plan did not cover the costs of advanced prosthetics.
Expressing her deep disappointment, Foley shared, "I just felt so deflated, I don't know how else to describe it. This was certainly one of the lowest points of this entire experience I've had. It's insane and so frustrating because I paid for health insurance my entire life, barely using it due to my healthy lifestyle. But now, when I need their help the most, they won't support me."
The traumatic incident unfolded during a family beach vacation in Watersound, FL., where Foley found herself face to face with a shark while enjoying the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Describing the chilling moment, she recalled, "It looked like a torpedo in the water. It was huge."
As panic set in, Foley attempted to swim to safety when the shark attacked, causing severe pelvic damage. In a desperate bid to protect her children from the predator, she fought back, only to have her left arm bitten off. Recalling the horrifying ordeal, Foley shared, "It grabbed me by the hand and pulled me underwater. I thought I was going to die. I called out to God, 'Please, let me live.'
Despite the harrowing experience, Foley was fortunate to have received immediate aid from medical professionals who happened to be at the beach. With quick thinking and expertise, they applied a tourniquet to her severed arm and tended to her other injuries, potentially saving her life as they awaited emergency medical services.
Since the attack, Foley has undergone a series of 25 surgeries, with more procedures still ahead. While she currently uses a makeshift body-powered prosthetic hook, the myoelectric prosthetic hand, which can be controlled through muscle-generated electrical signals, holds the promise of restoring her independence and transforming her daily life.
Reflecting on the significance of regaining the use of her hand, Foley remarked, "We don't think about how often we use our hands to do tasks until you lose one." Recognizing the life-altering potential of the advanced prosthetic, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support Foley in acquiring the bionic arm.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson from Cigna Healthcare stated, "While many of our health plans cover a variety of prosthetic options, we are actively reviewing our benefits to enhance coverage for advanced prosthetics, aiming to assist more individuals in need."
