Kids & Family

Ray of Hope For Aria Schilling's Heart Surgery- Managed Healthcare Overturns Insurance Recommendation

After a month long insurance company battle and media campaign, an independent medical review by the Department of Managed Healthcare says Oakland Children's Hospital is the best course of treatment for Aria Schilling.

The moment you’re ready to quit, is usually the moment right before a miracle happens, don’t quit. That is the philosophy, among many other inspirational quotes, you will find on Brigette Schillings Facebook — and it looks like persistence may finally pay off for Aria Schilling and her family who are still waiting for her open heart surgery.

After a month long battle with their Western Health Advantage (WHA) health insurance company, he mother got the first promising call in, what they feel, is the right direct.

Brigette Schilling was relieved Wednesday, telling Patch, “The Department of Managed Healthcare called and said the independent medical review doctor, a specialist, overturned WHA's decision to go with UCDMC’s plan for Aria’s procedure, stating it was not a correct, and the correct plan is  that of Oakland Children's Hospital.”

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So what does that mean? Schilling says it means WHA has five-days to review the findings and decide if they want to follow the plan or refer them back to their doctor at Oakland Children’s.

“We are so thankful for this validation,” Schilling said, “Now we keep praying that Aria’s heart surgery can finally be rescheduled, as planned, with her doctor at Oakland Children’s Hospital.”

Patch has been following this story since it began—here are links to previous coverage.

Family Pleads for Babies Heart Surgery After Insurance Denial Four Days Before

The Battle for Aria's Heart Pushes On: National Media Attention Takes Its Toll But Won't Break the Schillings

Find out what's happening in Dixonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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