Insurance not paying for Lung RFA anymore?????????

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idlehunters
idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone heard anything about this. I have seen 2 different sets of doctors now to discuss RFA for lungs. Both said it is a recent determination that the benefit of RFA to lungs does not add much to survival time and therfor will not be covered by most insurance companies anymore. They will continue to cover liver RFA though. What?????

Jennie

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  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #2
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    Dear Jennie
    Haven't heard that one.

    As with all things financial involving insurance coverage, bet to check with your specific company to determine what they will and won't pay.

    If they are turning you down before knowing for sure about coverage, that just doesn't seem right.

    If true that the insurance industry has made this determination, I guess I would wonder if they would feel the same if their loved one was needing the procedure.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #3
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    Lovekitties said:

    Dear Jennie
    Haven't heard that one.

    As with all things financial involving insurance coverage, bet to check with your specific company to determine what they will and won't pay.

    If they are turning you down before knowing for sure about coverage, that just doesn't seem right.

    If true that the insurance industry has made this determination, I guess I would wonder if they would feel the same if their loved one was needing the procedure.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thanks Marie...
    I am calling my insurance company today. I will update what they say. Take care!

    Jennie
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #4
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    Insurance and Lung RFA
    I looked at my insurance (CIGNA) coverage policy. They pay for lung RFA if the patient is not considered a good surgical candidate. In other words if you are a candidate for a resection (VATS or open), they prefer you to do that. But, if not (e.g. bleeding issues but I am sure many other things),they will cover RFA. This coverage position is scheduled to be reviewed in 2013.
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #5
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    idlehunters said:

    Thanks Marie...
    I am calling my insurance company today. I will update what they say. Take care!

    Jennie

    any news
    what did your insurance company say??

    HUGS
    Beth
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    #6
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    Betsydoglover said:

    Insurance and Lung RFA
    I looked at my insurance (CIGNA) coverage policy. They pay for lung RFA if the patient is not considered a good surgical candidate. In other words if you are a candidate for a resection (VATS or open), they prefer you to do that. But, if not (e.g. bleeding issues but I am sure many other things),they will cover RFA. This coverage position is scheduled to be reviewed in 2013.

    Lung RFA
    I had a lung RFA and it wasn't paid by my insurance; however, I lucked out because the radiologist and hospital didn't get a percert so they ate the costs. Lungs have been clear since 2007.

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