Overview
- The Winslow family confirmed late Tuesday that Scott “Scooter” Winslow died in a Fijian hospital after weeks in intensive care for a severe infection and septic shock.
- Family members say the illness began weeks into a April sailing trip with what looked like an insect bite and then rapidly worsened until he required ICU care in Fiji.
- The family provided doctors’ notes saying Winslow needed evacuation and said their insurer would not approve a medical flight that they estimated could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Aetna said it was working with Winslow’s family and local providers to identify options while the family traveled to Fiji, sought help from the U.S. Embassy, and raised funds via a GoFundMe.
- Medical-evacuation providers say long-range air ambulances can cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the case underscores how high costs and insurer approval processes can shape outcomes for Americans who become critically ill abroad.