Mother Blasts United Healthcare for Denying Son’s Rehabilitation Coverage Following Tragic Accident

A mother is criticizing UnitedHealthcare after her son was denied coverage to help him regain brain and muscle function after a tragic motorcycle accident.

Peyton Alvarez was riding a motorcycle he personally restored in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 28 when the bike veered off the road, and he struck a tree. Although he was wearing a helmet and other protective gear, he suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple broken bones.

Speaking to WCSC, Peyton’s mother, Trina Alvarez, told the outlet that doctors warned her that Peyton, 25, may never regain consciousness. However, after about a month and a half, he opened his eyes and demonstrated he was able to move his arms when prompted by his mother. Doctors recommended rehabilitation at the Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Peyton was approved by the center, but UnitedHealthcare almost immediately denied covering the rehab, saying that it was not medically necessary. Since then, Peyton’s family has exhausted every appeals process at their disposal, including informing United that his doctors recommended the rehabilitation center as his best possible option for recovery. UnitedHealthcare has maintained its decision not to cover Peyton’s rehab.

“When you push a parent to the point of feeling like they are helpless, and may contribute to whether their son may ever be able to talk or move his arms and legs or sit up on his own, that should not be allowed,” Trina told The Daily Mail on September 4.

“It’s all about the money. It’s not about my son and the medical care that he should get,” she added.

In a statement provided to both outlets, UnitedHealthcare stated: “We empathize with the Alvarez family during this incredibly difficult time. Based on the clinical information we have, Mr. Alvarez has alternative full-time care options covered under his plan that can provide rehabilitative therapy. We are ready to work with the family as soon as they make a decision.”

However, Trina says the other option being offered to them is to place Peyton in a skilled nursing facility where he would not get the specialized rehab for this brain injury that his doctors say he needs immediately for him to regain any semblance of his life back.

“If he goes to a skilled nursing facility, all they’re going to do is make sure he doesn’t starve to death and keep him clean,” Trina told The Daily Mail.

In a fundraiser to try to get Peyton to the facility immediately, the family stated that they are seeking legal options as well as looking into whether they can viably switch providers to one that will cover his rehab.