What's more deadly, cancer or dealing with insurance companies?

[fightforfreedom]

As you may know, I was recently diagnosed with melanoma. The doctors have moved quickly, however the pet scan I need is being held up by my insurance company, waiting for approval. What a bunch of bullshit that is. The doctor cannot do the surgery until I get the pet scan.

I have been on the phone raising hell. I cannot tell you how pissed off I am. I found someone today who is going to help me deal with my insurance company. My wife and I have never had a problem getting preventive scans approved in the past. Now when I need a scan that could save my life they decide to play games.

[Blues Heron]

1. They are evil, full stop.

We are being ripped off and abused on a massive scale by these nasty parasites.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. That just stinks!

I hope you get approved as soon as possible!

I have had both private insurance and Medicaid in my lifetime, and by far, Medicaid paid for all my healthcare needs without question. I went through 2 years of breast cancer surgeries, chemo, radiation, medications, and scans while on Medicaid. They were wonderful.

The first year off of Medicaid when I had private insurance, I had a six month battle with my private insurance co. to pay for an annual gynecology exam, which was supposed to be covered.

Good luck!

[AngryOldDem]

3. This has to stop.

You are paying premiums. You and your doctor must have the final say.

I need an expensive medication that my insurance decided not to cover. It will pay for an “alternative”. I asked my doctor about it and she said that it is not a generic medication — not at all the same as what I need — so I’m paying for the denied medication through my HSA.

Insurance companies cannot be allowed to interfere with the physician-patient relationship like this, especially in your case.

Please keep us posted.

[KPN]

4. Sorry to hear about the hassle they are giving you. This stuff really infuriates me ... especially

when it involves melanoma -- which I had 13 or 14 years ago or so. If it was me, I'd be calling my State and fed reps and asking them what the hell they are doing to fix and remove the insurance company profiteering via roadblocks to critical health procedures needed right now by thousands of fully paying customers occurring daily. It's
blatantly moral corruption on the part of both the insurance company(s) and those who have the power to regulate them if they so wish! It just totally pisses me off that you must go through this.

[soryang]

5. typical

I have a family member that needs a relatively expensive eye medication. we used to get it renewed every ninety days with one health insurance policy with drug coverage. There were problems getting it renewed every single time.

Now with some bs medicare insurance plan, they won't renew more than 30 days at a time, and it's an administrative hassle that can take days if not weeks to resolve. The health care system in this country is a nightmare.

[maxsolomon]

6. Cancer.

Keep pushing; you'll get the scan covered.

[haele]

7. Insurance. Because they'll pay for preventative, but not diagnostic.

Found that out with my colonoscopy, they'll pay for the every five years, but if the doctor wants to run another because of anemia a year later, it is coded differently and there's a huge "co-insurance" because I guess I have to have more skin in the game if it may be my fault something goes wrong outside the annual maintenance plan.
It's like for profit health insurance is a warranty health plan, and everything outside the warranty needs to cost you, because it must be your fault you didn't take care of yourself and developed a health problem.
And I supposedly have good health insurance through my employer.
Still going broke due to medical costs...

Haele

[xmas74]

8. Same thing

But ovarian cancer and I still haven't had surgery.

[shrike3]

9. We have union insurance.

Last edited Fri Mar 11, 2022, 10:52 AM - Edit history (1)

It's not perfect, but it's nice that someone has your back, and they do. I've even done conference calls with the insurer and the union people, trying to figure out what's going on.

I'm well aware that most Americans will never have that, and I'm sorry. I also understand why the unions would forego big pay raises in order to hold the line on insurance. I didn't used to, but then DH and I had major illnesses. People asked me, "How are you handling your bills," and I told them I didn't really have to manage my bills; they were in fact already manageable.

I recently had surgery, and it looks like my total out of pocket costs are going to be roughly $1,200, give or take. It would have been less in the past, and other members have groused about co-pays increasing. I keep telling them they have no idea the way the rest of the country lives.

[fightforfreedom]

10. Same here, my insurance is through my union.

The retirement/healthcare rep has gotten involved and it looks like things might get resolved soon. During our conversation we were talking about people who have private insurance and how lucky we were to have a union that can go to bat for us.

When I turn 65 I can sign up for medicare part B and combine that with my union plan. Then my health insurance coverage will be basically free. The monthly premiums are high, but manageable, but at least I will not have to worry about any bills. The monthly premiums are worth that peace of mind.

[shrike3]

15. I am GLAD you have a union behind you.

Can't imagine going through that alone.

Hopefully, this situation will be over with soon, and you will be able to focus on the important parts: you and your health.

btw, I read a story about a young woman diagnosed with breast cancer at 29. She and her husband were self-employed, had health insurance but didn't give it much thought. (I didn't either, at that age.) Their insurance carrier pretty much denied everything, and they lost their house.

[Coventina]

11. Cigna straight up murdered a co-worker of mine back in the 90s

That's when I learned health insurance companies are evil.
Full stop.

[ck4829]

12. God...

[AZLD4Candidate]

13. When I lived in South Korea and Malaysia, you just show up to the hospital with your ID

and you were set. Co-pays were low and a lot of times, were nothing.

Then we have our system, a system no one has ever emulated. . I wonder why.

[Ms. Toad]

14. You need a doctor to advocate for you with the insurance company.

We have never been denied treatment (including 2 experimental procedures) when the doctor proactively advocated for what was needed.

When patients are left on their own to fight with insurance, we seldom win - because so much of convincing the insurance company that a procedure or medicine is needed depends on being able to make a medical argument - doctor to doctor.

[area51]

16. I'm very sorry this has happpened to you.

It's the reason why we need to get the virtually unregulated insurance companies out of healthcare.