Health insurance fallout forces military veteran to postpone procedure

Military veterans feel kicked to the curb after St. Bernards ended a business relationship with United Healthcare. After St. Bernards ended negotiations with UHC on Friday, March 1, a veteran from Pocahontas was unable to get a heart procedure on Monday, March 4.

U.S. Army Veteran and Pocahontas Resident Bill Carroll had been waiting months to get approved for heart surgery at St. Bernards. He said his VA health insurance is covered by UHC.

Carroll is continuing to play the waiting game now. He said he was told via phone call that he was no longer able to get the procedure last Friday.

“St. Bernards providers, which are basically the doctors, have not signed the community care contract with VA,” Carroll said. “That allows the VA to use the facility.”

His sister and fellow Army Vet Carol Carroll said it was a very important procedure that her brother needed.