Medicaid approved for Smithfield teen in a coma
Smithfield father fighting a Raleigh hospital to keep legal guardianship of his son has been able to secure Medicaid benefits to cover the teen's treatment for a traumatic brain injury.
Posted — UpdatedFreddie Lempe, 18, has been in a coma at WakeMed since a car wreck in March 2011.
His father, Fred Lempe, says Medicaid coverage for his son was dropped in December when he turned 18.
The hospital has said that the teen was denied coverage because his father failed to file the paperwork.
It wants the court to appoint a guardian for Freddie who would be legally authorized to make all medical decisions.
Fred Lempe has said he's gotten conflicting information from the Johnston County Department of Social Services about what was required.
Calls and emails to WakeMed were not immediately returned Friday afternoon, and it's unclear whether the hospital will pursue its request in the court system.
A hearing is scheduled for July 25.
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