An insurance dispute involving a well-known name in the world of rugby union has gone public.
Former Wales international Andrew Coombs has hit out at Newport Gwent Dragons, branding the club a “total embarrassment” in regards to its decision to terminate an insurance policy.
Thirty-two year-old Coombs suffered a knee injury in April 2015 and had to retire from the sport 14 months later. Now, the former lock has claimed he feels “disgusted and devastated” at his treatment by the club in relation to the cancellation of his medical insurance which has left him with thousands of pounds in unpaid bills, reports the
Belfast Telegraph.
Coombs, who won 10 caps for Wales and represented the Dragons 80 times across seven years enjoying stints at both Newport and Pontypool, aired his grievances as part of a statement on Twitter.
“Absolutely disgusted and devastated to discover that the Newport Gwent Dragons have cancelled my private medical insurance policy,” the statement read.
“The policy was providing me with ongoing crucial medical treatment from the career-ending injury I sustained whilst playing for the region.
“This was done without the option of personally financing the policy following assurances from the region that this option would be available.”
In addition, he added that “player welfare and duty of care to players @dragonsrugby is a total embarrassment. Ten years of loyal service to RP (Rodney Parade), this is how they treat me.”
However, in response, Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies hit back claiming that Coombs received “financial support over and above our contractual obligations”.
“We were disappointed that Andrew Coombs feels aggrieved that he no longer has the benefit of medical insurance after the termination of his employment,” said Davies in a statement.
“The private medical insurance policy to which Andrew refers was our group medical insurance policy taken out to cover the costs of medical treatment for players while they are employed at the region.
“Like most employers’ medical insurance schemes, cover ordinarily ceases on termination of employment. In fact, Andrew remained covered at our expense for some months after his retirement.
“Andrew’s cover under the policy came to an end as we moved towards self-funding the cost of treatment for players in our employment, due to the escalating costs of insurance.
“Consequently, we no longer have medical treatment insurance in place since the money spent on the policy would probably outweigh the cumulative costs of treatment. However, our players still receive the same high level of medical care, but this will be funded directly by the region going forward.
“No assurances were given to Andrew about a transfer of his medical insurance either prior to or after his retirement.
“However, I would point out that significant financial support over and above our contractual obligations was extended to Andrew before he left our employment, in deference to his standing within and long service at the region.
“Like all professional rugby organisations, we also fund the cost of premiums to provide financial support for players who suffer a career ending injury, to ensure our players are looked after financially in the immediate aftermath of retirement in such circumstances.
“In addition, we extended to Andrew at the time he retired, the offer of full and ongoing access to our medical staff and facilities in respect of his continued rehabilitation. This offer remains in place and we will continue to offer whatever support can reasonably be provided.
“We feel that we have acted both professionally and reasonably in our dealings with Andrew, in terms of providing him with every opportunity to return to the team before he retired, and in relation to our ongoing offer of support after his retirement.”
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