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Wisconsin couple sues Walgreens and Optum Rx over son's death

A Wisconsin man named Cole Schmidtknecht died after the price of his inhaler increased from $67 to $540, leaving him unable to afford it and struggling to breathe for five days before suffering a fatal asthma attack on January 15, 2024.
Schmidtknecht's parents filed a lawsuit against Walgreens and OptumRx, claiming negligence and wrongful death due to a lack of notice about insurance changes and alternative medications.
The lawsuit alleges that the pharmacist did not provide affordable alternatives for Schmidtknecht's inhaler, violating Wisconsin state law.
OptumRx expressed sadness over Schmidtknecht's death but stated they had previously provided him with a covered inhaler option.

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Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500

His parents are suing the pharmacy Walgreens and pharmacy benefit manager Optum Rx, contending their son could have been informed about other options.

12 days ago·Philadelphia, United States

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Cleveland 19 News

+6 Reposted by 6 other sources

22-year-old died of asthma attack after inhaler price went up over $500, parents say

A young man died of an asthma attack after the price of his inhaler went up over $500.

13 days ago

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The Independent

Couple speaks out about losing son to asthma attack after his meds shot up to $500

EXCLUSIVE: Shanon and Bill Schmidtknecht tell Rhian Lubin of their grief for son Cole and their fight for a fairer health insurance system

14 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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citydesk.org

Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500 - City Desk ABQ

By Jonathan Edwards · The Washington Post (c) 2025Cole Schmidtknecht expected to pay $66.86 for a three-month supply of his preventative asthma inhalers in January 2024 when he went to his Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton, Wisconsin. The pharmacy allegedly told him his insurance no longer covered the medication, so he would have to pay the full cost.The bill: $539.19, according to a recently filed lawsuit.Schmidtknecht, 22, couldn’t afford that, a…

14 days ago

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slovenskenovice.si

22-year-old left without asthma medication due to price hike, dies 12 days later

According to the insurance company, the pharmacy should have contacted his doctor and found an alternative, but it did not.

17 days ago·Ljubljana, Slovenia

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People

When the Cost of His Asthma Inhaler Went Up $500, His Parents Claim He Couldn't Pay. Two Weeks Later He Was Dead at 22

Cole Schmidtknecht, 22, couldn't pay for his daily inhaler due to the “prohibitively expensive” price increase, but then he died of an asthma attack, per a lawsuit filed by his parents legacy.com Cole Schmidtknecht was 22 when he died of an asthma attack.The parents of Cole Schmidtknecht, 22, are suing his medical insurance company and pharmacy after he died of an asthma attack, allegedly due to the new cost of his inhalerThe price of Cole's inh…

18 days ago·United States

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Newsweek broke the news in United States 22 days ago on Monday, February 3, 2025.

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Wisconsin couple sues Walgreens and Optum Rx over son's death

78 Articles

78 Articles

Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500

Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500

22-year-old died of asthma attack after inhaler price went up over $500, parents say

22-year-old died of asthma attack after inhaler price went up over $500, parents say

Couple speaks out about losing son to asthma attack after his meds shot up to $500

Couple speaks out about losing son to asthma attack after his meds shot up to $500

Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500 - City Desk ABQ

Man dies of asthma attack after inhaler cost skyrockets to more than $500 - City Desk ABQ

22-year-old left without asthma medication due to price hike, dies 12 days later

22-year-old left without asthma medication due to price hike, dies 12 days later

When the Cost of His Asthma Inhaler Went Up $500, His Parents Claim He Couldn't Pay. Two Weeks Later He Was Dead at 22

When the Cost of His Asthma Inhaler Went Up $500, His Parents Claim He Couldn't Pay. Two Weeks Later He Was Dead at 22

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