Torrey vs. IDSA/Insurers Lawsuit Update: Cigna Third Insurance Defendant to Settle

The Lyme Disease Association is providing the most recent update regarding Torrey vs. IDSA/Insurers, the federal lawsuit filed by 24 Lyme patients against six members of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and eight insurance companies in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division.

According to investigative journalist Mary Beth Pfeiffer, Cigna has now become the third insurance company defendant in the case to settle following Kaiser Permanente in November 2019 and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBST) in January 2020. Pfeiffer reports that, as was the case with the first two, the Cigna settlement is being handled in secret with sealed documents. The public may never know what the plaintiffs received, or what was accomplished during the hearings. The remaining defendants include the IDSA, five other insurance companies, and six Medical Doctors. 

At this stage, this is all the information that has been made available. Details regarding the terms or amount of the settlements are unknown. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2017 on behalf of the group of Lyme disease patients who claim they have been denied care, as well as harmed, under existing insurance and medical protocols. The litigation proceedings will continue in the U.S. District Court in Texarkana, Texas.

LDA will provide updates when we have them. You can also continue to watch for updates on Mary Beth Pfeiffer’s website and Twitter feed. 

Click here to view the Notice of proposed settlement of Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company.

Click here to view the Notice of settlement of BCBS of Texas.

Click here to view the Settlement reached with Kaiser Permenente.

Referenced articles and websites:

1. Thefirstepidemic.com. Patient lawsuit against IDSA and insurers moves forward in Texas. [Web Article]. Copyright 2019 thefirstepidemic.com. https://www.thefirstepidemic.com/lyme-lawsuit.
2. Thefirstepidemic.com. Amended complaint in Lyme lawsuit; battle lines are drawn. [Web Article]. Copyright 2019 thefirstepidemic.com. https://www.thefirstepidemic.com/lyme-lawsuit.
3. LymeDisease.org. TOUCHED BY LYME: Latest in anti-IDSA/insurers lawsuit: Kaiser settles. [Web Article]. Copyright 2019 LymeDisease.org. https://www.lymedisease.org/torrey-v-idsa-kaiser-settles/