Woman claims insurance companies denied coverage for her spouse, saying she was not married

A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against her insurance companies, claiming she incurred tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical costs after they refused to pay for her deceased husband’s care. 

Dollicia Smith claims she worked for The Medical Center of Southeast Texas and had an insurance policy through its providers, defendants IASIS Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Impact Interactive.

When Dollicia Smith’s husband, Glenn Earl Smith, became sick during the winter of 2011-2012, she attempted to submit a claim for his health care costs, according to the complaint.

However, the defendants informed Dollicia Smith that they had dropped Glenn Earl Smith’s coverage because they had discovered that the couple was not married, the suit states. Dollicia Smith contends that such allegations are simply not true and that she made every effort to fight them.

“Plaintiff repeatedly provided information to defendants and their agents, both in writing and orally, demonstrating that she was in fact ceremonially married to Mr. Smith,” the complaint says. “Among the information provided was the marriage certificate.”

Despite Dollicia Smith’s undertakings, the defendants informed her on March 17 that they had dropped coverage for her husband, she claims. Five months later, on Aug. 13, Glenn Earl Smith died, according to the complaint.

“Plaintiff is now saddled with medical bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars,” the suit states.

In her complaint, Dollicia Smith is seeking a judgment in excess of the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

John Werner of Reaud, Morgan and Quinn in Beaumont will be representing her.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Case No. D193-578