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financial aide
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Oct 10, 2007 - 1:13 am
Hello. My wife was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in August. We recieved an authorization from the insurance company and chemo was started shortly thereafter. After the second session, we got notification from the doctor's office hat the claim had been denied. The reason:her benefit maximum is $6300 per year. That leaves us somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000 in debt. Her lifetime maximum on her policy is $250,000. At that rate it will take 40 years to use her policy limit. Since I am employed, we make too much to qualify for state assistance. Does anyone have any suggestions where we can get help? Her chemo is on hold until we get some support. We're desperate. Any suggestions will be appreciated. |
Joined: Feb 2006
Re: financial aide
Hi, first you didn't say which state you live in. I would look into guidance from American Cancer Society. I would look into the United Way, talk to your local state representative to see if he can guide you. I would also talk to your church if you belong to one. I am sorry for not having more concrete idea's but I know what you are going thru. God bless and I will keep you in my prayers. Mike
Joined: Oct 2007
Re: financial aide
Thanks, Mike. We're in CA. I've contacted ACS and they were nice, but had no ideas for us. I emailed our representative-no response. I even emailed the TV news station-again no response. It seems like unless you're poor, rich, insured or famous, you fall between the cracks. I don't mean to sound negative, but it's just frustrating. Thank you for your prayers, and best to you.
Steve
Joined: Feb 2006
Re: financial aide
I have a thought, has your wife applied for Medicaid or Medicare. She must file for Social Security Disability or SSI if she doesn't have enough time in for SSD. I would look into this immediately and talk to someone at the Federal Govt level for advice or direction. I would also go to your State Representative's office personally and insist on talking to them. This is one of their jobs, to help you. I wish you well and will keep you in my prayers. Mike
Joined: Dec 2007
Re: financial aide
Most people would probably be as shocked as we were to learn that even if my disability is approved, it will only pay beginning the sixth month after applying and medicare does not kick in until 24 MONTHS AFTER you are approved for disability. That assures that most of us who got caught uninsured with a cancer diagnosis will not collect a dime for the treatment for at least two-and-one-half years. They are counting on us being either in remission or dead by then. That's how the government takes care of it's hard-working middle class. You have to be poor to qualify for "entitlements" that include Medicaid.
Joined: Aug 2006
Re: financial aide
Contact a medical social worker at a hospital, preferably a big cancer center. Social workers are specially trained to know the resources of a given locality. They may have some ideas. I have heard of reverse mortgages and loopholes that allow you to cash in IRA's and retirement plans in the case of serious medical needs. You need some serious financial counseling though if you go that route to protect enough assets to be able to take care of things after treatment.
Joined: Sep 2003
Re: financial aide
In my cancer support group, I was told that many pharmacutical companies will supply medicines/ chemo drugs if the patient is unable to pay. Check this out with your wife's oncologist office.
God bless you both.
Madelyn
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Joined: Apr 2020
Esophagus tumor
Hi, in 2014 my food pipe was blocked by enlarged tumor so that it was impossible to swallow anything even juice/water. My MD decided to take a biopsy through ODG. As you know in our country, Tanzania, the health facilities are extremely poor, while I was waiting for results, I managed to take a flight from Tanzania to Bangalore, India. Fortunately, my Oncologist did take trouble to analyze the disease through; the FBP, CT Scan test, ECHO, PET CT Scan, OGD tests .Results: cancer in the ealy stage in the tumor. Treatment was initiated immediately. Radiation, chemotherapy and eventually esophagetomy surgery performed in 2015. I am among of many cancer survivors in the world. <Content removed by CSN moderators>