Latest news with #CDRC
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Stem cell transplant: Insurance company told to reimburse Rs 4 lakh to liver cirrhosis patient
Surat: The consumer commission in Valsad has ordered an insurance company to pay a Rs four lakh claim for stem cell therapy administered to a liver cirrhosis patient, stating that it was a life-saving treatment. The company rejected the claim citing the policy clause, which did not cover stem cell therapy except in certain conditions. However, the Valsad Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (CDRC) ruled that the insurer misinterpreted the clause to avoid payment. According to details, the Valsad resident was employed as a mutual fund advisor at a private asset management company. He purchased a group health insurance policy covering him and his family for a sum of Rs four lakh for a year starting September 7, 2022. The policyholder was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad for stem cell treatment on May 19, 2023, and underwent a stem cell transplant for liver cirrhosis. On August 18, 2023, the company rejected the claim under clause 28, which states that stem cell therapy surgery is allowed only in haemopoietic stem cells for bone marrow transplant in haematological conditions. The policyholder approached the consumer commission on November 20, 2023. During the hearing, the company's advocate argued that the exclusion clause clearly stated that such treatment claims were ineligible under the policy terms, and the application should be rejected. Conversely, the complainant's advocate contended that the insurer misinterpreted the clause in rejecting the claim. The complainant received treatment as an indoor patient as directed by the doctor, and the letter regarding the treatment was submitted to the insurance company on September 13, 2023. The letter stated: 'Diabetes and liver cirrhosis were treated with stem cell therapy for his serious health condition, and diabetic condition occurred after corona. .. Reports indicate liver cirrhosis." However, the company did not accept the letter. After considering the arguments and documents, the commission observed: "The specific exclusions (28) mention – treatment for alopecia, baldness, wigs or toupees and all related treatments." However, the transplant was done to save his life, the commission noted. The forum also noted that the insurance firm failed to provide any expert opinion on the complainant's treatment. "Reviewing the documents, it appears that the firm wrongfully rejected the claim to avoid payment." Consequently, the commission ordered the firm to pay Rs 4 lakhs with 8% interest from January 2023 and Rs 3,000 for harassment.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pueblo West special needs Easter event is a 'showcase of what inclusivity should look like'
While Pueblo County offers a variety of Easter events to celebrate with the family, a traditional egg hunt may be overwhelming for children with special needs. One Easter event, the third annual Easter Sensory Extravaganza, is designed to accommodate those children and their families by creating an inclusive space for kids of all needs and abilities. The third annual extravaganza will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at 270 West John Powell Boulevard in Pueblo West. The event is organized by the Colorado Department of Regional Centers (CDRC), which offers comprehensive services and supports for adult individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "We wanted to create an inclusive and sensory-friendly event for children and adults of all ages who may not be able to fully participate and enjoy a typical Easter egg hunt event," said Rose Campbell, a spokesperson for the CDRC, in an email to the Chieftain. Additionally, the event will feature over 45 booths providing information on things like home health, travel options for individuals with disabilities, childcare resources, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Each booth and informational table will offer a sensory-friendly activity geared toward "supporting attendees of all needs and abilities." "Instead of a traditional Easter egg hunt, where participants run through the area, this event provides a color walk where attendees are encouraged to wear white shirts which will be decorated with colorful chalk and confetti as they walk," CDRC officials told the Chieftain. For some families, an event like the sensory extravaganza makes a huge difference in their quality of life. Such is the case for the family of Elizabeth Harmes, a community member with a non-verbal autistic son who also has complex medical needs, including food allergies. "(CDRC) makes the event dietarily inclusive for people who have dietary restrictions, people who have sensory processing issues, the event is catered to that — for example, my son has problems with loud noises or too much stimulation," Harmes told the Chieftain. "They have it set up so that whether you're an adult or a child, your sensory needs, your dietary needs, or your behavioral needs are actually accommodated ... often, my son can't even go (to a traditional event) and be communicated with at a basic level, versus these events that are set up for people with different communication levels, different sensory levels and different needs," she said. "He's able to actually participate." Harmes said it makes a big difference in her son's happiness when he's allowed to meaningfully participate. "You can see how excited he is, how much fun he's having," she said. "Even if he's having some sensory challenge, there are people who can understand and help him. It's really a showcase of what inclusivity should look like." The event is also attended by families who have non-special needs children, Harmes said. "I just had a daughter — she doesn't have a disability, but next year she'll be able to participate side-by-side with her brother at an event, which would not be possible anywhere else in the community." Finally, the event allows the family to connect with resources that can aid them in their day-to-day lives, and also communicate with other families with similar needs. "It's really great to see families that are similar to my family and be able to share experiences, and talk about where our child is and give each other information about, 'This is how you access this resource,' or, 'This is what medication my child is on,' or, 'This is what therapy we go to,'" Harmes said. "So it's a great place for families to connect with each other, and a place for organizations that maybe don't work with people who have different challenges or disabilities to see what it looks like to be inclusive." Harmes expressed her appreciation for the "devotion and the attention to detail, and the respect that the Community Engagement and Integrations Director Jadea Pineda has for these families." "Every single year, she takes feedback and brings new ideas to try to bring a different experience every single time for these families, and make sure they have a truly special experience," Harmes said. "These events have truly changed the landscape for events here." In a brief statement, Pineda said the CDRC is "thrilled to host our 3rd annual Sensory Easter extravaganza for the Pueblo and Pueblo West community." "It is an honor to coordinate this event and see the joy on so many faces and to experience the numerous community connections being made," Pineda said. Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@ Follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo West Easter event caters to kids with special needs
