Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurers are prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. However, some insurance plans are not required to follow the consumer protections set by the ACA.
Lisa Brundridge recently faced a shocking situation when her health insurance denied her coverage, citing a pre-existing condition. Lisa was recuperating well from her surgery to remove a tumor from her spine. The shock arrived when she received a notice from her insurance provider. The notice informed her that her plan refused to cover the costs, which totaled nearly half a million dollars. These costs included the surgery and the preceding medical tests.
NBC Nightly News, August 27, 2026, 5:57 PM EDT
This scenario is part of “The Cost of Denial,” a segment by NBC News that reports on insurance issues across the United States. Individuals facing unexpected bills or coverage denials related to health, home, or auto insurance are encouraged to share their stories by emailing [email protected]
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