Insurance company to pay for man’s life-saving EpiPen

Aug. 31--Paid in full.

After 10 days of waiting, New Castle resident Dan Cook received his answer Thursday morning as to whether Blue Cross Blue Shield would pay for his EpiPen.

Cook suffered a severe allergic reaction after being stung by 20 bees on Aug. 21 while golfing with his friends at Sylvan Heights Golf Course. Cook injected himself with an EpiPen, which he then realized had expired. He then frantically entered East Side Pharmacy, where pharmacist Michael Fonataro handed him a brand name EpiPen, saving Cook's life.

"The first thing this morning I got a phone call from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the girl said the approval is ready," Fonataro said.

Cook said he was "glad that got taken care of" when he received word the cost of the medical device was covered.

"(Blue Cross Blue Shield) did the right thing," Cook said. "I think I did the right thing at the time. The closest place was Mike, and I am glad he was there. He deserved to be paid for what he did. He did what he should have done.

"I am glad the insurance company paid. After they knew all the circumstances, they were nice about it."

Fonataro was pleased to see the health insurance company do what he felt was the right thing by covering the cost of the EpiPen emergency.

"They put dollars and cents over the welfare of a patient," Fonataro said. "They always tell you they have the best interests of the patient at heart. This is clearly a situation where dollars and cents ruled over a patient's wellbeing."

Fonataro also gave credit to Cook's doctor, Dr. Thomas K. Malvar, and a nurse in his office, Caroline, for staying on top of the issue.

"I thank them for their efforts," Fonataro said. "They kept working and working too."

Since the incident, Cook said he has been hearing "from everyone" and he is glad the situation is finally resolved.

"I appreciate I got all the support I received," Cook said. "That shot was the only thing on my mind. I didn't care where I got it."

baddleman@ncnewsonline.com

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