Cancer Patient Sues Oklahoma Insurer over Proton Therapy Treatments

A prostate cancer patient and a cancer treatment provider are suing an Oklahoma health insurer for allegedly refusing to cover proton radiation therapy.

Randy Farland and the Procure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City filed the lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma. It alleges the insurer has refused to cover proton beam therapy to treat Farland’s cancer four times in spite of his physician’s recommendations.

The lawsuit alleges Farland’s claim for Procure’s services was wrongfully denied and that Blue Cross has interfered with their business relationship.

Legislation passed last year prohibits health insurers from holding proton therapy to a higher standard of clinical effectiveness than other radiation treatments.

A spokeswoman, Ashley Hudgeons, said Blue Cross has not been served with the lawsuit and had no comment.