Man dies in agony after inhaler price soars from $67 to $540
A Wisconsin man reportedly passed away in extreme agony after the price of his inhaler shot skyrocketed from $67 to $540, and he was not informed about the changes
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Wisconsin man dies in agony after inhaler price soars from $67 to $540
A Wisconsin man reportedly passed away in extreme agony after the price of his inhaler shot skyrocketed from $67 to $540, and he was not informed about the changes
A Wisconsin man reportedly passed away in extreme agony after the price of his inhaler shot skyrocketed from $67 to $540. (
Image: Rep. Jake Auchincloss/Facebook)
By
Jack HobbsNews Reporter
- 15:44 ET, FEB 4 2025
A Wisconsin man reportedly passed away in extreme agony after the price of his inhaler shot skyrocketed from $67 to $540. 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht, who had battled chronic asthma since childhood, was reportedly denied his life-saving inhaler when he went to collect his prescription at a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton earlier this month.
While at the pharmacy, the young adult was informed by the pharmacist that he would have to fork over $539.19 instead of the usual $66.86. According to Newsweek, Walgreens suddenly refused to cover the prescription under insurance after OptumRX allegedly changed its policy in fall 2023.
Being unable to afford the new price, Schmidtknecht left the pharmacy without his inhaler. It was reported by the outlet that Schmidtknecht struggled to breathe for five days while using his emergency inhaler.
22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht, who had battled chronic asthma since childhood, was reportedly denied his life-saving inhaler when he went to collect his prescription at a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton earlier this month. (Image: Handout)
It was reported that on January 15, Schmidtknecht suffered a fatal asthma attack and died and was driven to the hospital by his roommate. Two minutes before they arrived, it was reported that Schmidtknecht lost conscience.
Despite the paramedic's best efforts to revive the adult, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Six days later, the man's devastated parents decided to remove life support. Now, Schmidtknecht's parents have filed a lawsuit against OptumRX, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
According to Newsweek, Walgreens suddenly refused to cover the prescription under insurance after OptumRX allegedly changed its policy in fall 2023. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In the lawsuit, Schmidtknecht's parents are seeking damages for negligence and wrongful death. According to the lawsuit, Schmidtknecht was given no warnings about the insurance coverage change, a clear violation of Wisconsin state law which mandates that there must be at least 30 days' notice.
A copy of the lawsuit, which was obtained by the outlet, Walgreens should have reached out to Schmidtknecht's physician about alternative treatments. However, they failed to do so. The lawsuit stated that the pharmacist "never provided Cole with any more affordable workarounds to obtain his usual inhaler for his chronic asthma."
It was reported that on January 15, Schmidtknecht suffered a fatal asthma attack and died and was driven to the hospital by his roommate. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Schmidtknecht "repeatedly struggled to breathe, relying solely on his old 'rescue' (emergency) inhaler to limit his symptoms because he did not have a preventative inhaler designed for daily use," the lawsuit added. Michael Trunk, the lawyer representing the Schmidtknecht family, told Newsweek, "The conduct of both OptumRx and Walgreens was deplorable. The evidence in this case will show that both OptumRx and Walgreens put profits first, and are directly responsible for Cole's death."
OptumRx also issued a statement saying they were saddened to hear about Schmidtknecht's passing. "We are saddened by Cole's story and our sympathies are with his family and loved ones," they said. "We have reviewed his claims history and can confirm that he did fill a generic Albuterol prescription, an inhaler used to stop asthma attacks, on January 10, 2024, with a $5 copay."
"The same drug was previously filled in October 2023 by the member," OptumRX added. "OptumRx also has available clinically appropriate options and formulary information when a medication is not covered on formulary, including Advair Diskus formulary alternatives with member copays as low as $5."
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