The search for a life-saving Kenwood man’s lung transplant is complicated as it must find a way to pay for it. Last winter, Mark Plummer, 55, remained healthy. He was employed as a delivery driver and says he has never even had surgery or broken a bone. In February 2021, he started having trouble breathing. By May, he was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. The four words in his front yard give passersby a sense of the mountain he is facing. Mark Plummer said: “We believe in miracles. “This is a progressive disease and there are only two outcomes. Either you get a lung transplant and hope to survive or, eventually, I die.” “It’s something I don’t want my worst enemy to go through,” says Linda Plummer. Her husband has to breathe oxygen 24 hours a day. They knew he would need a transplant to survive a few months ago. Mark Plummer completed all the required pre-transplant testing and was told by doctors at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center that he was a perfect candidate for the transplant. But a phone call a few weeks ago about his insurance brought Plummers to his knees. “They have a clause in their policy that says they don’t cover organ transplants,” says Mark Plummer. “I was devastated. After mentally preparing for a double lung transplant, which was no longer a minor procedure, I was crushed.” to start a new job. Then he was hospitalized, his condition worsened, and he never returned to work. He was disabled for several weeks. Under COBRA, a federal law, he was allowed to keep his employer-based insurance from Klosterman Baking Company at a higher cost. But the problem is that Klosterman’s health plan doesn’t cover organ transplants. Without insurance, Plummers was told the estimated cost of a transplant and rehabilitation was half a million dollars. “Someone somewhere is playing God,” said Mark Plummer. “This is so unfair. And it can happen to anyone,” said Linda Plummer. They both look forward to retirement, spending their days walking around the neighborhood, going to concerts, and traveling. Those plans carry risks, even if Mark Plummer gets the transplant and survives. “We’re going to have to liquidate our retirement. We’ve decided that if I don’t live to enjoy retirement, what’s the point?” he say. Wexner Medical Center was able to put Mark Plummer on the transplant waiting list a few days ago. He is currently hospitalized in a state of oxygen breathing and waiting for an organ transplant. Linda Plummer told WLWT that the financial situation is still bullish, but they are hopeful. The family has set up an online fundraiser through the nonprofit Help Hope Live to raise funds for medical expenses. Contributions are tax deductible. Klosterman Baking Company issued the following statement to WLWT. “Klosterman Baking provides employer-sponsored healthcare to its associates and in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the company provides former employees continue to have COBRA coverage.This temporary benefit extension is the same as the health plan the individual received while on the job.Klosterman’s employer-sponsored health plan does not cover transplant procedures or related services for both current and former employees who choose to enroll in the COBRA program. health care. They can apply for coverage from their new employer; they can opt for COBRA coverage through the Klosterman Baking Company; or they can buy coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, where there are many plans with different types of coverage, including transplants. Employer-sponsored coverage from a current employer or from the Health Insurance Marketplace will likely be cheaper than the COBRA coverage offered by Klosterman. “As always, Klosterman Baking Company is available and ready to assist any program participant in finding a suitable plan and partnering with current employers, Health Insurance Marketplace or other programs like Medicaid if they have a need.”
The search for a life-saving Kenwood man’s lung transplant is complicated as it must find a way to pay for it.
Last winter, Mark Plummer, 55, remained healthy. He was employed as a delivery driver and says he has never even had surgery or broken a bone.
In February 2021, he started having trouble breathing. By May, he was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease.
The four words in his front yard give passersby a sense of the mountain he is facing. One sign reads, “We believe in miracles.”
“It’s a lung scar, progressive and incurable,” says Mark Plummer. “This is a progressive disease and there are only two outcomes. Either you get a lung transplant and hope to survive or, eventually, I die.”
This disease causes the lungs to become stiff, making it difficult to breathe or get oxygen to the blood.
“It’s something I don’t want my worst enemy to go through,” says Linda Plummer.
Her husband was given oxygen 24 hours a day. They knew he would need a transplant to survive a few months ago.
Mark Plummer completed all the required pre-transplant testing and was told by doctors at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center that he was a perfect candidate for the transplant.
But a phone call a few weeks ago about his insurance brought Plummers to his knees.
“They have a clause in their policy that says they don’t cover organ transplants,” says Mark Plummer. “I was in a lot of pain.
When he fell ill, Mark Plummer had just quit his job as a delivery driver at the Klosterman Bakery Company, preparing to start a new job. Then he was hospitalized, his condition worsened, and he never returned to work. He was disabled for several weeks.
Under COBRA, a federal law, he was allowed to keep his employer-based insurance from Klosterman Baking Company at a higher cost. But the problem is that Klosterman’s health plan doesn’t cover organ transplants.
Without insurance, Plummers was told the estimated cost of a transplant and rehabilitation was half a million dollars.
“Someone somewhere is playing God,” said Mark Plummer.
“This is so unfair. And it can happen to anyone,” said Linda Plummer.
They both look forward to retirement, spending their days walking around the neighborhood, going to concerts, and traveling. Those plans come at risk, even if Mark Plummer gets the transplant and survives.
“We’re going to have to liquidate our retirement. We’ve decided that if I don’t live to enjoy retirement, what’s the point?” he say.
Wexner Medical Center was able to put Mark Plummer on the transplant waiting list a few days ago. He is currently hospitalized in a state of oxygen breathing and waiting for an organ transplant.
Linda Plummer told WLWT that the financial situation is still bullish, but they are hopeful.
Family set up a online fundraiser through the nonprofit Help Hope Live to raise funds for medical expenses. Contributions are tax deductible.
Klosterman Baking Company issued the following statement to WLWT.
“The Klosterman Baking Company provides employer-sponsored healthcare to its associates and in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which provides insurance continuing COBRA for former employees This temporary benefit extension is the same as the health plan the individual received while on the job.
“Any old plan participant has several options for health care coverage. They can apply for coverage from their new employer; they can opt for COBRA coverage. through the Klosterman Baking Company; or they can purchase coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers a variety of plans with varying coverage including implants. Support from an existing employer or from the Health Insurance Marketplace may be cheaper than the COBRA coverage offered by Klosterman.
“As always, Klosterman Baking Company is available and ready to assist any program participant in finding a suitable plan and partnering with current employers, Health Insurance Marketplace or other programs like Medicaid if they need it.”
