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Greytmomm
Greytmomm Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I was just diagnosed with the 3rd squamous cell on my upper gum.  1st on was in 2004, 2nd 12/14, 3rd 12/15. The cause of these are from the Colbolt radiation that I had in 1975.  I have had other surgeries for other side effects too.  I am still paying for last year's surgery, now I need 3K before I have this surgery.  I need an obturator which they say isn't covered on medical ins, by much, and not covered by dental. I feel like I am in the twilight zone.  I am an Americal Citizen, I have a 23 year career in education, I have been paying for insurance all of my adult life, I am a 40 year survivor.  How does the insurance companies get away with this?  

Does anyone know of any non-profit organizations that could possibly help me out?

It shouldn't be about money!

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  • supagama
    supagama Member Posts: 31
    #2
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    Happy to be a Canadian!

    Hi Greytmomm:  It certainly shouldn't be about the almighty buck!  Every time I read a post like yours on this site, it makes me very grateful to be Canadian...I was diagnosed with Stage IV orophageal cancer in May/2015 and opted for radiation/chemo instead of surgery as my first cause of action.  I was directed to the nearest Cancer Treatment Centre in Alberta,and was undergoing treatments by the first of July and was finished at the end of August.  I was housed in a beautiful facility with every imaginable amenity at a cost of $20 per day and at the end of my stay, they told me that it was being covered by the Canadian Cancer Society!  The treatment I recieved was very professional and performed by dedicated, learned staff and oncologists at a teaching hospital in the province of Alberta.  The total cost to me was ZERO!!  In fact the Alberta Cancer Foundation sends me cheques monthly to cover travel costs and expenses for followup visits to my radiation oncologist and are covering the entire cost of a obturator as well.  I love your country and what it stands for, but I feel very fortunate to be above the 49th when it comes to dealing with a serious medical problem.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and very best of luck to you!

     

    Wendy

  • the_wife
    the_wife Member Posts: 184
    #3
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    Have  you asked your doctor

    Have  you asked your doctor or a social worker at your clinic or hospital for financial help?

    Maybe try calling the American Cancer Society. They seem to have a lot of resources.

    There is an organization called Cancer Care, but I think it you have to qualify within certain guidlines. Might be worth checking out:

    http://www.cancercare.org/financial - they have some additional resources listed on this page.

    Many people do the GoFundMe.com, but I'm not sure how successful that is.

    Are you tied into a church or other group where they could do a fundraiser? Just throwing some ideas out there...

    Good luck to yoU!

     

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
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    Did you check directly with....

    your insurance company about the orburator?  It is a prosthesis....I'm stunned that it wouldn't be covered.  If someone lost a leg, do they have to pay for the prosthesis?  Also, get in touch with the American Cancer Society....they may have some ideas....as well as the cancer social worker at the hospital.  There's more than one way to skin a cat.

    p

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 727 Member
    #5
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    phrannie51 said:

    Did you check directly with....

    your insurance company about the orburator?  It is a prosthesis....I'm stunned that it wouldn't be covered.  If someone lost a leg, do they have to pay for the prosthesis?  Also, get in touch with the American Cancer Society....they may have some ideas....as well as the cancer social worker at the hospital.  There's more than one way to skin a cat.

    p

    Fight

    All great responses so there's not much room for any other opinions.  What I would do is challenge your insurance companies decision.  File a dispute claim and fight as hard as you can.  Write down everything they say on the phone along with names, dates, etc.  I have found that the harder you fight they might just relent and pay just to get rid of the cost of defending themselves.  Not sure what else to say.  And yes, I too would be calling all the non profit organizations for help.

     

    I'm sorry this is happening to you.  My cancer set us back thousands due to the copays of rads and therapy.  We still haven't quite recovered yet.  I'm coming out of retirement to try to help.

     

    Tom

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
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    supagama said:

    Happy to be a Canadian!

    Hi Greytmomm:  It certainly shouldn't be about the almighty buck!  Every time I read a post like yours on this site, it makes me very grateful to be Canadian...I was diagnosed with Stage IV orophageal cancer in May/2015 and opted for radiation/chemo instead of surgery as my first cause of action.  I was directed to the nearest Cancer Treatment Centre in Alberta,and was undergoing treatments by the first of July and was finished at the end of August.  I was housed in a beautiful facility with every imaginable amenity at a cost of $20 per day and at the end of my stay, they told me that it was being covered by the Canadian Cancer Society!  The treatment I recieved was very professional and performed by dedicated, learned staff and oncologists at a teaching hospital in the province of Alberta.  The total cost to me was ZERO!!  In fact the Alberta Cancer Foundation sends me cheques monthly to cover travel costs and expenses for followup visits to my radiation oncologist and are covering the entire cost of a obturator as well.  I love your country and what it stands for, but I feel very fortunate to be above the 49th when it comes to dealing with a serious medical problem.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and very best of luck to you!

     

    Wendy

     
     

     

     

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