A “suprise attack” came on Tuesday when Aetna informed us they would no longer pay for Marcus’ inpatient care at Shirley Ryan and that we had 48 hours to arrange housing and care for him. This decision has put immense pressure on us as an entire family/team, as it gave us only 48 hours to find an accessible house or apartment for Marcus and ourselves while also dealing with the emotional and physical stress of his condition.

Aetna provided five facilities that we could use for Marcus’ care. However, Brandon learned that four of the five were adult facilities and would not accept Marcus as a minor. The fifth facility, the only qualified outpatient care center in the area, refuses to work with Aetna because they’ve previously had issues receiving payment from Aetna. After advising Aetna of what was learned, Aetna then pressed Shirley Ryan, in the short term, to put referrals out to 50 facilities because they “found it hard to believe” that other outpatient facilities for this type of care do not accept minors. Aetna representatives were disingenuous when they told us that we had been given us 30 days’ notice they would no longer pay. Then, the same representative seemed not to know her job when she suggested the family take Marcus to a lower level of care inpatient facility but still have the family do outpatient treatment at Shirley Ryan, which is not allowed.  

Aetna’s alternative was for us, as Marcus’ family, to pay out of pocket for the care he needs—$32,800 for a single week of care if we prepay or $8,000 per day if we don’t, all while scrambling to search for housing for Marcus.

After enduring Aetna’s attempts to justify delaying Marcus’ critical care, we decided it was time to make Aetna’s actions public. We have begun a relentless campaign, sending emails and making calls to anyone who would and will listen, determined to get Marcus the care he needs.

Multiple news agencies have already interviewed Brandon, and the rest of the team have actively been in contact with government agencies and legislators trying to prevent and correct the vile actions of Aetna.

The Local Trust for Brandon’s insurance issued an emergency order forcing Aetna to extend their coverage to Monday (today).

As you’re aware, insurance companies are under scrutiny following the United Healthcare incident and the threat made to Blue Cross. We, Marcus’ team, are calling for even more attention to be brought to this plight. We need your support now more than ever.

If you are willing to support our fight to get Marcus the care he needs, please go to Aetna’s Alaska Google listing and leave a review on behalf of Marcus and our family: 
https://g.co/kgs/9DKQqpD
After that, leave a review here: 
https://www.facebook.com/share/15fUQD6F79/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Need suggestions on what you could you write?  Something along the lines of “For the shameful treatment of Marcus Kennedy and his family, to whom you are denying critical care for financial gain” would be truthful.

We will do our best to keep you all informed as soon as possible of any updates in Marcus’ care and this newest battle we are facing. As always we appreciate all of the love and support that is sent Marcus’ way, it is welcomed now more than ever.