Thinking about stopping

debbie1162
debbie1162 Member Posts: 36
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I receive a bill for Chemo. I thought my insurance was going to cover and each time I go see the Oncologist it will continue to built up. So I think I can stop going and not take Femara and I will not need those follow ups. I really want to have my reconstruction done and need to reduce all these co-pays and trips. So I think I am going to stick only to the Plastic surgery. I just need to have a decision, so upset right now on the bills I already have.

Comments

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #2
    Debbie
    This is your LIFE! Please think very carefully before you stop treatments. Insurance companies can be repaid, life can't! I considered giving up all treatments due to my abusive horrible partner. He wasn't worth it!

    i HOpe you can make the right decission for you.........Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxx
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #3
    Fight with the insurance
    Fight with the insurance companies! Call your congress person!Something has to be done about ins companies who pull this crap.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #4
    The thing with insurance
    The thing with insurance companies is they don't like to pay. Have someone knowledgeable look over your policy just to be sure there isn't anything hidden in there. If it looks like they should be paying, call them and get an explanation. I'm sure the last thing you feel like doing is fight over insurance right now. Perhaps someone else can talk to them.
    Call the ACS and talk to them, I'm sure they will help.

    Please don't give this company the satisfaction of foregoing your chemo and risking your life because they are resisting upholding their end of the contract. I know the horrible feeling of not being able to pay your bills but right now is the time to put your life first. You can always pay them back.

    All my best
    jan
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #5
    phoenixrising said:

    The thing with insurance
    The thing with insurance companies is they don't like to pay. Have someone knowledgeable look over your policy just to be sure there isn't anything hidden in there. If it looks like they should be paying, call them and get an explanation. I'm sure the last thing you feel like doing is fight over insurance right now. Perhaps someone else can talk to them.
    Call the ACS and talk to them, I'm sure they will help.

    Please don't give this company the satisfaction of foregoing your chemo and risking your life because they are resisting upholding their end of the contract. I know the horrible feeling of not being able to pay your bills but right now is the time to put your life first. You can always pay them back.

    All my best
    jan

    Debbi
    I am going through the same thing as you. Bill is climbing and insurance is not paying a whole lot. I have to save my life, so I am just going to continue treatments. What else are we supposed to do. I guess the Hospital could kick us out, but they are getting something. I will just hope we can work something out.
  • trecsdss
    trecsdss Member Posts: 22
    #6
    Question and Re-Submit Bills
    I would not accept the insurance company not paying without calling and questioning why they are not paying. They make errors all the time or sometimes your MD office submits the wrong insurance codes. I used to work in a hospital and heard this all the time. I myself had to call and question why something wasn't covered, and then got coverage. It is worth a try.

    I agree with others that your main concern is your survival. Even though the financial piece of things is stressful, it is not more important than your treatment and life. It is easy to get discouraged and want to give up. When I wasn't feeling well after the one chemo session I had a twinge of this feeling, but all this struggle will be worth it in the end. Hang in there.
    Deb
  • debragood1
    debragood1 Member Posts: 48
    #7
    Insurance is Killing Us: Don't Let Them Do It
    Don't take no from your insurance company. I think the way they work is they reject a bunch of claims and see what sticks. Some people may just leave it at that and perhaps others don't understand the letters they get from the insurance company. In any case, you have a legal right to appeal any of their decisions. It should be stated in the explanation of benefits form you receive from your ins. company. Ins. companies are very profitable and they like to deny claims. Make sure to appeal and get on with your treatments. Your life could depend on it. If it seems overwhelming (which would be a totally naturally way to feel about all this, by the way) ask your oncologist or oncology nurse to arrange some anti-anxiety meds for you. Your mental state is so important in dealing with breast cancer and all the crap associated with it.

    Hang in there. It is all very difficult to deal with but you can do it! We're all here to support you. Don't hesitate to contact your fellow survivors (and while you're at it...make sure to continue treatments so you can survive!!!).

    Hugs,
    Deb
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #8
    Debbie
    I know health care (especially with cancer and other diseases like that)can be very expensive-but you need that Femara and you need those follow-ups and that chemo!! Believe me,you do!!Why isn't your insurance paying for it? It should be! Everything that you are going in for is the "norm" for cancer treatment!
    Does your hospital or cancer center have a patient advocate? If so,you should meet with one and see what they can do for you! Please don't let your health go by the wayside because of your insurance!!
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #9
    another thing you can try is
    another thing you can try is the National Cancer Institute website. Type in "assistance" in the search box. They have a list of organizations that help with medical expenses. Also if you do a web search you can find other resources that may be helpful. Please don't give up on your treatment and your reconstruction, you deserve the best!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #10
    elm3544 said:

    another thing you can try is
    another thing you can try is the National Cancer Institute website. Type in "assistance" in the search box. They have a list of organizations that help with medical expenses. Also if you do a web search you can find other resources that may be helpful. Please don't give up on your treatment and your reconstruction, you deserve the best!

    First, contact the ACS. I
    First, contact the ACS. I am sure they can either help you or put you in the right direction. And, all hospitals will work with you. They have programs to help patients like yourself. Just check into it.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #11
    I agree..........
    I agree with everything said here. But I will add that if I had to choose between having breast reconstruction or having the needed chemo to save my life...I would have the chemo. Nobody will care whether your or not you have breasts if you lose your life.

    CR
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #12
    CR1954 said:

    I agree..........
    I agree with everything said here. But I will add that if I had to choose between having breast reconstruction or having the needed chemo to save my life...I would have the chemo. Nobody will care whether your or not you have breasts if you lose your life.

    CR

    I'm wondering if the Ins
    I'm wondering if the Ins will only pay for reconstruction AFTER the chemo is completed. Years ago in the 70's they weren't doing reconstruction until you were considered cured/in remission. My best friend had BC at age 25, had a mastectomy and 3 yrs later got her reconstruction. She had to pay for it back them. So, I don't know what's with this ins company.
  • JCricket
    JCricket Member Posts: 6
    #13
    CR1954 said:

    I agree..........
    I agree with everything said here. But I will add that if I had to choose between having breast reconstruction or having the needed chemo to save my life...I would have the chemo. Nobody will care whether your or not you have breasts if you lose your life.

    CR

    I agree with you CR1954. It
    I agree with you CR1954. It is better to spend on your treatment rather than plastic surgery. The treatment can save your life.
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    #14
    Call ACS!
    They can help you solve this problem. You can also ask them to talk to a counselor to help you through this stress. I called them one time when I was out of my mind. I asked if they had someone, a professional, that I could talk to. They immediately connected me with a counselor who talked to me for over an hour, she helped me so much. They are open 24 hours a day. Call them anytime, they want to help in all ways. Good luck!
  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    #15
    Don't Stop!!!
    Don't stop. Don't let 'em win. They just don't want to pay. They tried that crap with me but we stayed on them for 3 straight weeks. You need your treatment. Contact the Patient Advocate Foundation. Keep pushing. We are behind you.

    P
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #16
    aztec45 said:

    Don't Stop!!!
    Don't stop. Don't let 'em win. They just don't want to pay. They tried that crap with me but we stayed on them for 3 straight weeks. You need your treatment. Contact the Patient Advocate Foundation. Keep pushing. We are behind you.

    P

    You should save your life
    You should save your life and worry about reconstruction later. What good will they do you if you don't live? Please just contact ACS or the hospital, someone can help you with the finance part. There is always help out there, you just have to make some calls and contact some people.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #17
    scout5000 said:

    Call ACS!
    They can help you solve this problem. You can also ask them to talk to a counselor to help you through this stress. I called them one time when I was out of my mind. I asked if they had someone, a professional, that I could talk to. They immediately connected me with a counselor who talked to me for over an hour, she helped me so much. They are open 24 hours a day. Call them anytime, they want to help in all ways. Good luck!

    I say the same as everyone
    I say the same as everyone else, call the ACS! You are not alone in this.

    And, don't just give up on your insurance company.

    Call them, write letters, file a grievance or whatever you need to.

    And, hospitals have financial counselors, see what they say.

    Noone will turn you down for treatment.

    They allow money for this.

    Post and keep us updated

    Hugs, Kylez
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #18
    DianeBC said:

    You should save your life
    You should save your life and worry about reconstruction later. What good will they do you if you don't live? Please just contact ACS or the hospital, someone can help you with the finance part. There is always help out there, you just have to make some calls and contact some people.

    Concentrate right now on
    Concentrate right now on your treatment to save your life. Reconstruction can always come later. What good are reconstructed breasts if you are dead?

    ACS can give you info. Fight your insurance. Contact the cancer center. You have options.

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