Since last July, Melvin Hardison has been battling back and forth with his health insurer.

The battle is over reimbursement of nearly $1,000 for his son’s dental bills following an accident playing football.

“When he fell, his tooth hit the ground and it just pushed it back,” Hardison said.

In the first 72 hours of an accident, Hardison said, his Blue Cross, Blue Shield policy allows members to see doctors out of network.

So he took his son to the nearest dentist after talking to the company.  “They said it was covered 100 percent, and they said the only thing was you have to pay upfront.”

But when Hardison filed for reimbursement, Blue Cross, Blue Shield denied his claim.  The insurance company also refused to pay the in-network dentist who did follow-up treatments.

“I feel, you know, if it’s covered procedure, I should be reimbursed. You know, they would want their money,” Hardison said.

Action 9 got in touch with Blue Cross Blue Shield and asked them to investigate.  Within days, the company resolved the issue and sent Hardison a $990 reimbursement check.

He said his nine months of persistence finally paid off.  “I’m excited man. (I) owe it all to you, Channel 9, Action 9.  Because without it, I never would have gotten it,” he said.