Cato v. Arkansas Municipal League Municipal Health Benefit Fund

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

Appellants, Chester Cato and Verna Cato, were participants in the health insurance program of appellee, the Arkansas Municipal League. Verna Cato suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head which required that she be hospitalized. Her hospital charges were $26,206.89. Appellants both signed a standard form which authorized the Municipal League’s insurance carrier to pay benefits directly to the hospital. Appellants later filed a claim for the hospital expenses which was denied on the basis that an intentional self-inflicted injury was excluded from coverage.…