Latest news with #Schmidtknecht
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Family blames cost of Walgreens asthma meds for son's death
(NewsNation) — A Wisconsin family is suing Walgreens after they say the rising costs of asthma medication led to the death of their 22-year-old son last year. Cole Schmidtknecht suffered from asthma his entire life, and one day tried to get a refill on his inhaler — only to find out his medication, which typically cost less than $70, had skyrocketed to $500. He had a severe asthma attack five days after his pharmacy visit, stopped breathing, and collapsed, according to his father. Schmidtknecht never regained consciousness and died. Doctors attributed his death to asthma. Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses: CDC 'Cole became very accustomed to asthma,' said Bil Schmidtknecht. 'His struggles were very traditional, as any asthmatic has. He was fortunate to have health insurance through us as he grew up. And we were very versed on asthma, as I have it and Shanon has it too. From a young age, we taught him how to manage it.' Shanon Schmidtknecht, Cole's mother, revealed he had never had issues getting his medication before the incident, nor had she and her husband. 'It wasn't until I went to pick up Bill's same medication on the same insurance plan that we had realized what happened with the price increase,' she added. Schmidtknecht's death caught the attention of Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., who shared his story on the House floor in December. 'Cole had his whole life ahead of him,' Auchincloss said. 'Because Cole was forced to choose between paying his rent or shelling out hundreds of dollars to cover his medication out of pocket for a drug that did not need to be that expensive, his family is without their loved one. There's no justification for a family facing Thanksgiving without their child. Cole's death was preventable.' Scientists hooking flies on cocaine to study addiction: Reports Now, the Schmidtknecht family has chosen legal action against Walgreens and OptumRX. They allege OptumRX violated Wisconsin law by raising the cost of the medication without a valid medical reason and failing to provide 30 days' advance notice of drug price increases. 'There's blame to go around to OptumRX and Walgreens Pharmacy,' said Michael Trunk, the family's attorney. 'We have a young man who was on Advair Diskus for a decade, actively and effectively controlling his asthma.' Walgreens, in a statement, said, 'Walgreens extends its deepest condolences over the tragic loss of Cole. While we are unable to discuss specific patient interactions due to privacy restrictions, in general, in cases where a medication is not covered by insurance, pharmacy staff may work with the plan patient, and/or prescriber in an effort to process and dispense the prescription if able.' According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, the cost to treat asthma per person is $3,300. Currently, 28 million people are suffering from asthma in the U.S, which amounts to $82 billion annually for health care costs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Wisconsin couple is suing Walgreens, Optum Rx after their 22-year-old son died of asthma attack
In January 2024, 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht went to Walgreens to fill a prescription for an asthma inhaler. He was told the price of the inhaler had increased from $66 to $539 out-of-pocket, reports CBS News. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) A near-record number of Americans are grappling with $1,000 car payments and many drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to stay ahead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes Unable to afford the cost, Schmidtknecht left the pharmacy without filling his prescription and tried to manage with just his rescue inhaler. Days later, he suffered a fatal asthma attack. His parents have now filed a lawsuit against both the pharmacy benefits-management company and Walgreens, claiming they are responsible for their son's death. The Schmidtknechts' lawsuit alleges that the benefits company, Optum RX, owned by UnitedHealth Group, violated Wisconsin law by increasing the prescription's cost without a valid medical reason and failing to provide 30 days' notice of the price increase. The lawsuit claims that the 30-day notice period would have given Cole time to visit his doctor and request an exception to the price increase. It also alleges that he was not offered a free or discounted inhaler while he sought assistance from his provider and that Walgreens informed him that there were no lower-cost alternatives or generic options available. Cole's parents say he had to choose between paying his rent and covering his medication. Five days later, he suffered a severe asthma attack and died due to cardiac arrest. WSAZ News contacted Optum Rx for a response to the situation. A spokesperson wrote, 'Mr. Schmidtknecht's death was tragic, and our thoughts are with his family. The claims made are factually inaccurate.' Walgreens declined to offer a comment. Cole's death is not an isolated incident. The American Hospital Association reported that nearly 30% of Americans say they haven't taken their medication as prescribed due to the high cost. It also estimates more than a million Medicare patients could die in the next decade because they cannot afford their medications. Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) As the cost of living increases, affording life-saving or even just life-improving medications has become a constant battle for many Americans. However, there are steps you can take to ensure you have the medication you need. Some pharmacies offer discounts or generic options for brand-name prescriptions. Always ask the pharmacy if there is a way to lower the price. Websites like GoodRX, SingleCare, or the manufacturer of the drug may also offer discounts if your insurance plan doesn't cover your medication. Many drug companies offer patient assistance programs (PAPs). These programs are designed to help those who can't afford their medications. Most have their own application process, and the requirements can vary. If you are low-income or your insurance does not cover the medication, you may qualify. If your current pharmacy won't work with you, consider alternatives. Online pharmacies, like Cost Plus, have lower overhead costs, which allows them to offer prescription drugs at a reduced rate. Advair Diskus, the medication Cole required to treat his asthma, is available on the site for just under $100. If you're having trouble affording medications, your doctor may be your best resource. They may be able to switch your prescription to one your insurance covers or recommend a PAP to lower the cost. For some medications, the doctor may be able to offer samples or coupons. Cole's death highlights a growing crisis in the U.S. If you are facing a similar struggle, there are options available. Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies One dozen eggs in America now costs $4.15 — and $14.35 for a pound of sirloin steak. Both record highs. 3 simple ways to protect your wealth in 2025 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man Dies From Asthma Attack After Insurance Denied Him Coverage, Lawsuit Says
The family of a 22-year-old Wisconsin man has filed a lawsuit claiming that he died from a preventable asthma attack after the price of his inhaler jumped nearly $500. Cole Schmidtknecht suffered from chronic asthma that he treated with an Advair Diskus inhaler that allegedly cost him $66, at the most, ABC News reports. However, when he went to fill his prescription at his local Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton, WI on Jan. 10, 2024, Schmidtknecht was informed that his insurance company, Optum Rx, no longer covered his medication and that it would cost him $539.19 out of pocket. The lawsuit claims that Schmidtknecht was given no notice and that Walgreens failed to offer him a generic alternative "and further told Cole that there were no cheaper alternatives or generic medications available." Schmidtknecht was unable to pay for the inhaler because he otherwise would not have been able to make his rent, so he left without it, per Wisconsin Public Radio. According to the lawsuit, "Over the next five days, Cole repeatedly struggled to breathe, relying solely on his old 'rescue' (emergency) inhaler to limit his symptoms, because he did not have a preventative inhaler designed for daily use." Then, on Jan. 15, 2024, Schmidtknecht suffered a severe asthma attack. His roommate attempted to drive him to the emergency room, but he "became unresponsive and pulseless in the car" before they got there. Doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation once he arrived, but were unsuccessful in their efforts and Schmidtknecht was transferred to an intensive care unit. Sadly, he never woke up and was pronounced dead on Jan. 21 after life-supporting care was ceased. The lawsuit, filed by Schmidtknecht's parents, names Walgreens, its parent company Boots Alliance and Optum Rx, the pharmacy benefits manager, accusing them of negligence. "Defendant OptumRx had a duty to not artificially inflate prescription drug prices for medications such as Advair Diskus for insured patients, including Cole Schmidtknecht, making them so unaffordable that patients could not obtain the medications their physicians prescribed," the lawsuit states. "Walgreens Defendants failed to exercise reasonable care in that they knew, or should have known, of the unreasonable risk of harm to asthmatic patients, including Cole Schmidtknecht, that would result from their failing to provide him with Advair Diskus or a medically equivalent alternative medication at an affordable price at the point of service," the legal filing adds. It's unclear what damages Schmidtknecht's family is seeking, or when the case might make its way before a judge.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
22-Year-Old With Chronic Asthma Died After Inhaler Price Went From $66 to $539: Lawsuit
The parents of a 22-year-old Wisconsin man who died after an asthma attack have filed a lawsuit against Walgreens and UnitedHealth Group's pharmacy benefit manager after they said the price for his medication suddenly rose from $66 to $539. Cole Schmidtknecht, 22, had lived with asthma since he was a baby, but he was able to manage his symptoms by taking Advair Diskus, a preventative inhaler, every day, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court last week. Since 2023, Schmidtknecht had health insurance through his employer that covered his medication, which cost him no more than $66.86 each month. However, when Schmidtknecht went to his local Walgreens pharmacy on Jan. 10, 2024, to fill his prescription, he was informed that his medication was no longer covered by his insurance, according to the lawsuit. Advair Diskus would now cost Schmidtknecht $539.19 out of pocket, and the pharmacy allegedly told him there were no cheaper alternatives or generic medications available to him. The lawsuit also says the pharmacist failed to contact Schmidtknecht's physician or insurance company to seek an alternative. A spokesperson for Walgreens told HuffPost they could not comment due to the pending litigation. According to the lawsuit, OptumRx, a company that acts as a middleman between pharmacies, insurance plans and drug companies, updated its 2024 formulary stating that a patient using Advair Diskus or a generic alternative prescription could only have it filled if they obtained prior authorization from a doctor. The Schmidtknechts' lawsuit alleged their son was not notified by his insurance or Walgreens ahead of time that his inhaler would no longer be covered, despite state laws that required notification, according to the lawsuit. He left Walgreens that day without filling his prescription, and in the days that followed, he repeatedly struggled to breathe and relied solely on an old emergency inhaler, per the suit. Five days after he left Walgreens, Schmidtknecht had a severe asthma attack and began to asphyxiate, according to the lawsuit. His roommate drove him to an emergency room in Appleton, but he became unresponsive and his heart stopped minutes before they arrived. Emergency room staff noted in their records that Schmidtknecht appeared blue. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he never regained consciousness. Schmidtknecht remained on a ventilator in the intensive care unit for six days until his parents ended life support. He was pronounced dead on Jan. 21, 2024. The lawsuit claims that OptumRx would not have covered Advair Diskus's generic equivalents, and instead only covered two newer brand-name drugs whose manufacturer had paid OptumRx a substantial rebate for a favorable placement on the company's updated formulary. Attorneys representing the family referred to this practice as 'non-medical switching,' and say it's a way for pharmacy benefit managers to require patients to change medications in order to collect kickbacks from the drug manufacturer. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts, honored Schmidtknecht at a congressional hearing in December, calling on lawmakers to pass his Pharmacists Fight Back Act, which he says aims to end the price-gouging practices of pharmacy benefit managers. In a statement to HuffPost, the family's attorney, Michael Trunk, called OptumRx and Walgreens' conduct 'deplorable.' 'The evidence in this case will show that both OptumRx and Walgreens put profits first, and are directly responsible for Cole's death,' Trunk said. Pregnant Woman Shot In Alleged Shoplifting Sues Walgreens The Trump Administration Paused Federal Health Agency Communications — Here's Why That's Dangerous Kansas Health Officials Are Battling An 'Unprecedented' Tuberculosis Outbreak
