Patient Dies by Suicide After ‘Insurance Issue’ Delayed Medicine for Lung Disease Flare-Ups
Hours after experiencing a flare-up related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Kenney Blewett of Kyle, Texas, died by suicide in June. A medication his doctor prescribed days earlier to ease his breathing problems hadn’t been filled due to an “insurance issue,” his pharmacy explained via email.
Kenney Blewett, a man diagnosed with lung disease more than a decade ago, took his own life in June after struggling with frequent breathing flare-ups. His wife, Cindy, described those episodes as "the scariest thing in the world" and noted that they had become more frequent. Simple tasks left Blewett winded, and he had lost 45 pounds.
His pulmonologist prescribed a new medication to help with these terrifying breathing issues in June, but the prescription was delayed due to an insurance issue. Walgreens informed Blewett that the medication was delayed "due to an insurance issue that we're working to resolve." Blewett had multiple insurance policies, including Medicare and a private drug plan through Wellcare Value Script. The delay in receiving the medication ultimately contributed to his decision to end his life.
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