A Vancouver-based man is facing $100,000 in medical bills after his travel insurance company said it wouldn't pay for his out-of-country treatment.
Ryan Maudlen, who has Crohn’s disease, was on vacation in Mexico with his girlfriend when he experienced an episode that caused his intestines to burst last week, Metro News reported.
Maudlen, originally from Australia, underwent emergency surgery at Galenia Hospital in Cancun to remove 60 centimetres of his bowel, according to the Adelaide Advertiser. But things only got worse from there: severe side effects ensued and Maudlen, 33, was placed in a medically induced coma.
His around-the-clock care has resulted in $100,000 worth of medical bills, according to the Daily Mail. Maudlen's travel insurance company, Insureandgo, originally said it would cover his treatment costs, but decided against it two days later, said Metro.
Now Maudlen's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cope with the mounting bills. In just five days, the fundraiser has collected over $72,000.
His loved ones have been updating the page regularly, relaying their gratitude to all of those who have donated.
“(Ryan’s father) Rob and I are very grateful to everyone that has donated and/or sent good wishes for the recovery of our son Ryan,” wrote Maudlen’s mother, Deb. “There have been so many people that Ryan has had friendships with over the years with his travels. Let’s hope that more friends can get onto the site and keep to donations and well-wishes coming.”
Maudlen woke from his coma early Tuesday, according to the page. His progress was described as “a huge step in the right direction.”
Maudlen's story comes on the heels of another Canadian family's travel insurance nightmare. Saskatchewan's Jennifer Huculak gave birth prematurely while on a vacation in Hawaii. Her insurance company, Blue Cross, has refused to cover the almost $1 million bill for her U.S. hospital care.
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