The man of the Wisconsin died of the days of attack on asthma after the prices of the inhalers have skyrocketed without warning. Now his family continues his insurer

Five days before Cole Schmidtknecht, 22, underwent a deadly asthma attack, a pharmacist informed him that the price of his inhaler had increased unexpectedly by 700%, an increase in shocking prices which forced him to leave without the prescription which could have saved his life.

Although Cole was assured, the Advair Diskus inhaler which had previously cost less than $ 70, had increased to more than $ 500 – a surprise expenditure which was financially out of reach, reported NBC News. The short -term action inhale of action Cole was able to afford was not enough to counter the serious asthma attack which led to his death on January 21, 2024.

Now, his parents in mourning, Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht, continue Optum RX, the pharmacy service manager (PBM) who deleted the inhaler of the form of his insurance plan, and Walgreens, the pharmacy they claim have not offered affordable or informed alternatives.

The trial alleges that Cole has not received a notice for the form of the form and that the pharmacy has not followed its doctor. PBMs like Optum RX play a powerful role but largely hidden in determining the availability and prices of medicines thanks to secret negotiations of discounts with pharmaceutical companies.

“It’s crazy that it happens in America. [The system’s] Not broken – it is designed to work this way, “Bil Schmidtknecht told NBC.” It just hurts us. “”

The Schmidtknechts also argue for legislation requiring notice of at least 90 days before the removal of an insurance coverage drug.

The PBMS claims that they offer affordable options and prioritize economies, but an FTC report in January revealed that the three largest PBM in the country – CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum RX – have increased the cost of a certain number of drugs safeguarded by billion dollars. The named companies have published individual declarations calling for the deceptive report.

The trial comes in the midst of an increasing public reaction of the health -focused health system.

Last month, a mother in Arizona filed a complaint against the health insurer of her late son. Ravi Coutinho, 36, has selected his health insurance according to the availability of mental health services and drug addiction, but he could not obtain a therapist despite dozens of documented attempts. He died of complications with excessive alcohol consumption in May 2023.

“He was so young, and he had his whole life in front of him. It was so avoidable and so useless,” said Cole’s mother, Shanon Schmidtknecht. His Fight to Impact policy is dedicated to the memory of his son.

“Justice for Cole, of course,” she said, “but bigger than that, justice for all of us.”

Originally published on Lawyer Herald