CHICAGO – โข Chicago-area musicianโค and Elmhurst University professor โคNick Bisesi is preparing to undergo a critical heart โฃsurgery in London on Monday, despite his health insurance initially denying coverage for the specializedโ procedure. Bisesi, a well-known jazz and church musician, faces a $100,000 medicalโ bill โฃand is relying on community support to cover the costs.
Bisesi’sโ case highlights โคthe challengesโ patients can face when seeking specialized medical care outside of their insurance network. He was diagnosed with a โrare heart condition requiring a procedure not readily available in โthe โขUnited states, leaving him with the difficult choice ofโข proceeding with the surgery abroad and financing it himself. โFriends, โขcolleagues, and community members have rallied aroundโ bisesi, contributing to a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial burden.
Bisesi, โwho has played music with his church group in Barrington forโ over two decades, learnedโค he had no choice but to travel to London for the โคsurgery.He is currently there with his wife and teenage daughter, preparing for the procedure, which doctors say has a strong success rate and shouldโข allow him to quickly โreturn to his normal life โขand music.
“I can’t describe the feeling,” Bisesi said. “Iโ feel so supported and so loved by my community. โIt’s incredible.”
A GoFundMe page was established to help cover the expenses,โค and as ofโข thursdayโ afternoon, itโ had raised justโ over half of the $100,000 needed. Rory Cooney of St. Anne’s Catholic Church described Bisesi as a “well-rounded musician,” adding, “We’re just hoping this whole thing goes well for โhim.”
Musician Christy Ogilvie McCreary echoed the sentiment, saying, “He’s a great playerโฆjust a really good person. A really nice โฃguy.”
Blue cross and Blue shield released a statementโ saying the company is “committed to providing access to quality health care,”โ but declined to comment on Bisesi’s specific case.
Those โคwishing to contribute to Bisesi’s medical fund can do soโ at https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-musicians-2nd-chance-lifesaving-heart-surgery-in-london.