Unforeseen Cancer, Unexpected Bills: A Georgian’s Ordeal

Diane Conine of Coweta County shows a reporter her Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield website portal search. She underwent surgery earlier this year to remove a tumor and her kidney — it was cancer. Medical bills soon followed. The insurer says Conine’s care at Piedmont Newnan Hospital is out of network. Facing $87,000 in bills, the retired paralegal is appealing Anthem Blue Cross’ denial-of-coverage decision.

Courtesy of Georgia Health News

The urgent care center diagnosed her condition as a bladder infection. But the pain in Diane Conine’s stomach soon became unbearable.

“The pain got so bad, I was throwing up,’’ says Conine, 64. Her urine was filled with blood.

She needed to go to the emergency room, her daughter decided. The daughter picked up Conine at her rural Coweta County home and drove her to the nearest ER, at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. Conine rode in the passenger seat, vomiting into a trash can in her lap.