Gallimore v. Kaiser

Gallimore v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.

Alameda County Superior Court Case No. RG12-616206

Gianelli & Morris Wins Class Action Lawsuit

Gianelli & Morris has won a class action lawsuit against Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (“Kaiser”) on behalf of Wendy Gallimore and thousands of Kaiser patients. Kaiser refused to provide reconstructive surgery for excess skin following massive weight loss unless the patients experienced functional problems. After a month-long trial in Alameda County, a Judge determined that Kaiser violated California’s reconstructive surgery law (Health & Safety Code section 1367.63) that requires health plans to cover surgery when it will either improve function or create a normal appearance to the extent possible. According to the decision, Kaiser is now required to change its practices and provide reconstructive surgery in order to create a normal appearance. Gallimore v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc (Case No. RG12616206). The judgment is estimated to result in Kaiser members receiving in excess of $150 million in reconstructive surgery benefits.

“The result will have a dramatic impact on the lives of bariatric surgery patients who have lost massive amounts of weight, and are often left with disfiguring excess skin,” said lead attorney Robert Gianelli with Gianelli & Morris, who represented the Plaintiff.

For Additional Information Contact Gianelli & Morris

If you have questions regarding how this judgement could affect you and your right to reconstructive surgery, who better to ask then the team of Los Angeles attorneys that won this class action? Contact our firm today by calling (213) 489-1600 or by filling out a short case evaluation form.