Büffelmann, who needs a heart transplant, asks insurance to transfer him

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — While his colleagues have traveled to cities like Boston and Cleveland to receive life-saving transplants, Mike Broccolo is asking his insurance company to let him receive treatment outside of WNY.

“Every day I lose hope more and more,” said Broccolo, 61. “This whole process has just been exhausting. I don’t know how much more I could take.”

Broccolo needs a heart and kidney transplant. He has been on the waiting list since January 2024. He believes leaving the western New York area would increase his chances.

“Tina went to Boston and then Bob and Rafael went to Cleveland and all three are already transplanted,” Broccolo said.

But when he asked his insurance company, they said he didn’t have any out-of-network coverage.

“So it’s frustrating… it’s hard. It’s not like I’m asking for money. This is a matter of life and death, you know?’ said Broccolo.

Response from Independent Health

I have forwarded these concerns to Independent Health, and while they cannot disclose specific details about a patient, they have sent the following statement.

“The majority of Independent Health members’ needs are met by in-network providers for the treatment of their conditions. These include outstanding, world-class transplant providers at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, for heart transplants and ECMC for kidney and other organ transplants. In the rare circumstances where a Member requires highly specialized treatment not offered by a participating provider, the Member or the Member’s primary care physician may request prior authorization to receive those services from a non-participating provider.

“Coverage for out-of-network services depends on the product and benefits included in the member’s plan. Some product designs do not provide out-of-network benefits, therefore services to an out-of-network provider would be denied for contractual reasons and no clinical decision is made.

“Independent Health prides itself on providing high-quality coverage and services to all of our members, which is why we are consistently rated as one of the top-rated health plans in the country for customer service and member satisfaction.”

-Independent health spokesperson

Broccolo said he is grateful for the help he has received from Independent Health so far.

“I don’t want Independent Health to think I’m trying to like them, disparage them or anything like that. I’m just asking them to listen to me and really think about it and see if they can let me go, that’s all. “I’m asking for that,” Broccolo said.

A warning for other patients

“I just want people to realize that when you get insurance, you have to make sure you have coverage out of the network so you never end up in a situation like I did,” Broccolo said.

He asked for prayers while he waited and said he would continue to advocate for his wife, four children and three grandchildren.

“That’s what life is all about: family,” Broccolo said.

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Büffelmann, who needs a heart transplant, asks insurance to transfer him

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