Insurance

idlehunters
idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Oh Boy....... Wow, I didn't even think this was going to be an issue. I have Aetna insurance thru my husbands work. Just found out that Cancer Treatment Centers of America do not take it as it is a HMO and they would be out of network which would not cover them. I have been on this computer doing research until my tummy is sore from being in one position. Not quite healed yet I guess. Anyway, Aetna don't seem to have ANY cancer centers on its plan that cover me. What have you all done to cover this vast expense?

Jennie
«1

Comments

  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    Aetna
    Our insurance is Aetna but it's the PPO. I did check my oncologist on the Aetna page and found her through a search for providers for the HMO. When I clicked on her name it says that she accepts the following:

    Aetna Choice® POS (Open Access)
    Aetna Choice® POS II (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Choice® POS II (Open Access)
    Aetna Health Network Only(SM)
    Aetna Health Network Option(SM)
    Aetna Open Access® Elect Choice® EPO (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Open Access® Managed Choice® POS (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Select(SM)
    Aetna Select(SM) (Open Access)
    Behavioral Healthcare Program
    Elect Choice® EPO
    Elect Choice® EPO (Open Access)
    HMO (Open Access)
    HMO**
    Healthy New York HMO
    Managed Choice® POS
    Managed Choice® POS (Open Access)
    NYC Community Plan(SM)
    National Advantage™ Program
    Open Access Aetna Select(SM) (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Open Choice® PPO
    Open Choice® PPO (Aetna HealthFund®)
    QPOS®


    Not sure if your plan is above but you may want to investigate it further. Did you speak with a representative from Aetna?
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    mom_2_3 said:

    Aetna
    Our insurance is Aetna but it's the PPO. I did check my oncologist on the Aetna page and found her through a search for providers for the HMO. When I clicked on her name it says that she accepts the following:

    Aetna Choice® POS (Open Access)
    Aetna Choice® POS II (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Choice® POS II (Open Access)
    Aetna Health Network Only(SM)
    Aetna Health Network Option(SM)
    Aetna Open Access® Elect Choice® EPO (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Open Access® Managed Choice® POS (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Aetna Select(SM)
    Aetna Select(SM) (Open Access)
    Behavioral Healthcare Program
    Elect Choice® EPO
    Elect Choice® EPO (Open Access)
    HMO (Open Access)
    HMO**
    Healthy New York HMO
    Managed Choice® POS
    Managed Choice® POS (Open Access)
    NYC Community Plan(SM)
    National Advantage™ Program
    Open Access Aetna Select(SM) (Aetna HealthFund®)
    Open Choice® PPO
    Open Choice® PPO (Aetna HealthFund®)
    QPOS®


    Not sure if your plan is above but you may want to investigate it further. Did you speak with a representative from Aetna?

    Aetna
    I only asked them if they covered second opinions. It did not even enter my mind that it would be a out of network second opinion. I will speak with them more on Tuesday but according to my insurance booklet my resources are limited because that is the type of coverage employer imposed. Thanks so much for checking into it for me

    Jennie

    I have Aetna Open Access
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    Public versus Private
    You'll need to find a public (state supported) comprehensive cancer center, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America are private as are many of the centers on the list. There are some public ones though. Here in North Carolina we have 3 comprehensive cancer centers out of the 120 plus in the US, Wake Forest and Duke are private but the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is public and would accept your insurance.

    Google comprehensive cancer centers and check out the list for ones close to you and then you should be able to see which ones might accept your insurance.

    Lisa P.
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    insurance sucks!
    Your best bet is to call your insurance company directly and determine what is in network. They will have some to choose from. Here is the link to the NCI Comprehensive canzer Center list by state.

    http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html

    Check out the list so you can compare with your insurance company. You might just ask them directly about a specific center - that's what I did. I chose where I wanted to go for a second opinion, went to my insurers website and looked up coverage for that center.

    Good Luck,

    Kimby
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    scouty said:

    Public versus Private
    You'll need to find a public (state supported) comprehensive cancer center, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America are private as are many of the centers on the list. There are some public ones though. Here in North Carolina we have 3 comprehensive cancer centers out of the 120 plus in the US, Wake Forest and Duke are private but the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is public and would accept your insurance.

    Google comprehensive cancer centers and check out the list for ones close to you and then you should be able to see which ones might accept your insurance.

    Lisa P.

    United Health Care
    I use UHC, it's a PPO but with an in network side which works like an HMO. My last surgery cost close to $150,000 but my surgeon in network contract cost was $29,000. So definitley check what you have, who/where you can go to. Had I gone to the first surgeon my oncologist sent me to, without checking, I would have be responsible for the difference. WOW!
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    There is more than one way....
    ....to get what you want and what you need.

    One of the things I've learned during my cancer experience and the during the following years is that you can work the system (insurance) or let the system work you.

    I had an HMO when I was first diagnosed and now I'm in the military health care system, which is similar to an HMO (it's mostly single provider/single payer - it's not great), but I decided that I would ask for what I want, rather than take what they give me.

    For instance, when I was first diagnosed I wanted to go to a specific cancer center that had a great reputation and group of very competent doctors. It was also recommended by my surgeon, but it was not listed on my HMO's provider directory. So I called the cancer center directly and spoke with their patient coordinator. After a little paperwork and some back and forth between the cancer center and my insurance company, the cancer center worked with my HMO to accept the insurance. I was treated at the cancer center of my choice and I received exceptional care.

    I've done similar things with my current insurance/health care system to get the best care possible and see the doctors of my choice - both my oncologists are not listed as provider doctors, but I worked it out to see them and be fully covered by my insurance. It takes a little effort, but it's well worth it!

    You will often read on this board that you are your own best advocate. And remember, only accept a "no" from someone who has the authority/power to give you a "yes".

    This may not work with Cancer Treatment Centers of America because they are somewhat different than other hospitals, but there are many great cancer centers out there who accept most insurance plans. And there are many oncologists out there who are not necessarily affiliated with a major cancer center, but are quite good all the same. You might ask your primary care doctor or surgeon if they can recommend someone.

    I hope this helps....
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    usakat said:

    There is more than one way....
    ....to get what you want and what you need.

    One of the things I've learned during my cancer experience and the during the following years is that you can work the system (insurance) or let the system work you.

    I had an HMO when I was first diagnosed and now I'm in the military health care system, which is similar to an HMO (it's mostly single provider/single payer - it's not great), but I decided that I would ask for what I want, rather than take what they give me.

    For instance, when I was first diagnosed I wanted to go to a specific cancer center that had a great reputation and group of very competent doctors. It was also recommended by my surgeon, but it was not listed on my HMO's provider directory. So I called the cancer center directly and spoke with their patient coordinator. After a little paperwork and some back and forth between the cancer center and my insurance company, the cancer center worked with my HMO to accept the insurance. I was treated at the cancer center of my choice and I received exceptional care.

    I've done similar things with my current insurance/health care system to get the best care possible and see the doctors of my choice - both my oncologists are not listed as provider doctors, but I worked it out to see them and be fully covered by my insurance. It takes a little effort, but it's well worth it!

    You will often read on this board that you are your own best advocate. And remember, only accept a "no" from someone who has the authority/power to give you a "yes".

    This may not work with Cancer Treatment Centers of America because they are somewhat different than other hospitals, but there are many great cancer centers out there who accept most insurance plans. And there are many oncologists out there who are not necessarily affiliated with a major cancer center, but are quite good all the same. You might ask your primary care doctor or surgeon if they can recommend someone.

    I hope this helps....

    usakat..... thank you for
    usakat..... thank you for infor.... since cancer treatment centers of america is a private facility there is no way insurance will cover it. BUT..... thanks to Kimby...many thanks to you Kimby... I have looked into the Chicago Cancer Centers you suggested and 1 is ranked 7th in US. Sounds great to me. That is the only one around me that has any kind of ranking...and i want one of the best. It is a 5 hour drive one way but i will have to figure that out. Right now I am going to tell my insurance company that is where i want to go.... contact the center and ask them to work with my insurance company to help me get there. Tomorrow should be an interesting day

    Jennie
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797

    usakat..... thank you for
    usakat..... thank you for infor.... since cancer treatment centers of america is a private facility there is no way insurance will cover it. BUT..... thanks to Kimby...many thanks to you Kimby... I have looked into the Chicago Cancer Centers you suggested and 1 is ranked 7th in US. Sounds great to me. That is the only one around me that has any kind of ranking...and i want one of the best. It is a 5 hour drive one way but i will have to figure that out. Right now I am going to tell my insurance company that is where i want to go.... contact the center and ask them to work with my insurance company to help me get there. Tomorrow should be an interesting day

    Jennie

    Good Luck
    My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. Good Luck! You are on a whole new journey that you never thought you'd need. You can do this!

    Kimby
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    I have Aetna HMO too
    Hi Jennie,

    I also have Aetna HMO for my insurance. They won't let me go to the oncologist I want to go at UCSD/Moores Cancer Center in San Diego. They DID let me go there, thankfully, for my liver surgery and they let me go to the oncologist there for a consultation/2nd opinion. After the 2nd opinion when I decided I wanted to change oncologists to go to him where I'd have a "team" for my care instead of just an unaffiliated oncologist who isn't good at communicating with my specialists, my insurance told me "you can't change doctors while you're still in treatment". I told them "I'm a stage IV cancer patient- I may always be in treatment. Does that mean I can never change doctors?!" Their reply was "Yes, that's our policy". Since the other oncologist has been gracious enough to still consult w/ me over the telephone on occasion when I've had questions or concerns w/ my current onc, I haven't pursued trying to fight them (yet, anyhow). Aetna has been good, however, in covering most of my tests. They usually deny the PETs, but allow it when the onc. writes back a more specific reason for it. Aetna won't let my oncology office access my port to do my bloodwork for some stupid reason. They make me go into the lab (Labcorp) each time the day before my chemo to have the bloodwork taken out of my arm in the regular way. Seems so stupid and unneccessary!

    Anyhow- all in all, I can't complain too much- I didn't pay even one cent when I had my liver resection done at Moores/UCSD/Thornton Hospital & I was very happy they let me go there.

    That's too bad you can't go to the Cancer Center of America, though.

    Lisa
  • serrana
    serrana Member Posts: 163 Member
    lisa42 said:

    I have Aetna HMO too
    Hi Jennie,

    I also have Aetna HMO for my insurance. They won't let me go to the oncologist I want to go at UCSD/Moores Cancer Center in San Diego. They DID let me go there, thankfully, for my liver surgery and they let me go to the oncologist there for a consultation/2nd opinion. After the 2nd opinion when I decided I wanted to change oncologists to go to him where I'd have a "team" for my care instead of just an unaffiliated oncologist who isn't good at communicating with my specialists, my insurance told me "you can't change doctors while you're still in treatment". I told them "I'm a stage IV cancer patient- I may always be in treatment. Does that mean I can never change doctors?!" Their reply was "Yes, that's our policy". Since the other oncologist has been gracious enough to still consult w/ me over the telephone on occasion when I've had questions or concerns w/ my current onc, I haven't pursued trying to fight them (yet, anyhow). Aetna has been good, however, in covering most of my tests. They usually deny the PETs, but allow it when the onc. writes back a more specific reason for it. Aetna won't let my oncology office access my port to do my bloodwork for some stupid reason. They make me go into the lab (Labcorp) each time the day before my chemo to have the bloodwork taken out of my arm in the regular way. Seems so stupid and unneccessary!

    Anyhow- all in all, I can't complain too much- I didn't pay even one cent when I had my liver resection done at Moores/UCSD/Thornton Hospital & I was very happy they let me go there.

    That's too bad you can't go to the Cancer Center of America, though.

    Lisa

    insurance
    Hi Lisa, Serrana here......I still urge you ( and everyone else w/ constipated insurance companies) to challenge Aetna on their rigid policy. These challenges have been won. All contracts have appeal clauses.
    Contact the Calif State Dept of Insurance managed care division, you can probably fill out a form on line. At the same time make a phone call to Aetna, tell them you are recording it, go right up the feeding chain, don't talk to Buffy and Muffy who answer the phone, ask for the "highest level" manager, find out his/her name and ask what the procedure for appeal is. Have them FAX you the paperwork. When you don't get what you want right away then go back and make noises about lawsuits.(There is a terrific attorney in Orange County that won the million dollar judgement last year for denial of coverage. His name is Shernoff . ) Talking about lawsuits will get their attention. HMOs are in the business of NOT providing coverage...it is how they make money.....they pay your doc a set fee per year per patient no matter what services the practice does for you so it is to the doctors benefit to deny alot of services. If you want me to help you on this, email me.
    Serrana
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    serrana said:

    insurance
    Hi Lisa, Serrana here......I still urge you ( and everyone else w/ constipated insurance companies) to challenge Aetna on their rigid policy. These challenges have been won. All contracts have appeal clauses.
    Contact the Calif State Dept of Insurance managed care division, you can probably fill out a form on line. At the same time make a phone call to Aetna, tell them you are recording it, go right up the feeding chain, don't talk to Buffy and Muffy who answer the phone, ask for the "highest level" manager, find out his/her name and ask what the procedure for appeal is. Have them FAX you the paperwork. When you don't get what you want right away then go back and make noises about lawsuits.(There is a terrific attorney in Orange County that won the million dollar judgement last year for denial of coverage. His name is Shernoff . ) Talking about lawsuits will get their attention. HMOs are in the business of NOT providing coverage...it is how they make money.....they pay your doc a set fee per year per patient no matter what services the practice does for you so it is to the doctors benefit to deny alot of services. If you want me to help you on this, email me.
    Serrana

    Insurance
    I did call Aetna and challanged them about my insurance. I was surprised as heck to find out I had a PPO... not a HMO.... even tho all my basic payments are made just like an HMO with doctor/specialist/hosp deductables and thats all you pay. I had just changed to this insurance in January and had no idea that how my husbands work wanted it classified. Now I have been approved to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas (who is in my Aetna network) and receive my second opinion and/or treatment..... even tho I live in Illinois. So yeah... it definately helps to stay on them. Also, another thing I found out. Every institution invoices under a certain name. That is how Aetna knows if they are contracted with them... unless you have their federal ID number...

    Good Luck

    Jennie
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    Aetna
    I have Aetna as well and thank God I do. I recently received notice that over $200K has been wired to the cancer center on my behalf.

    My plan is titled Aetna Select (EPO) and covers 100% once I pay $1000 for a given year. I pay $500 a month for my family coverage, but now I really do not mind. I would be in the streets without insurance.

    Best of luck. It does feel good to me to get something from Insurance after 20 years of paying with no health issues. It is a small positive I think about as I deal with the BEAST.

    Mike
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    menright said:

    Aetna
    I have Aetna as well and thank God I do. I recently received notice that over $200K has been wired to the cancer center on my behalf.

    My plan is titled Aetna Select (EPO) and covers 100% once I pay $1000 for a given year. I pay $500 a month for my family coverage, but now I really do not mind. I would be in the streets without insurance.

    Best of luck. It does feel good to me to get something from Insurance after 20 years of paying with no health issues. It is a small positive I think about as I deal with the BEAST.

    Mike

    yes, thank God for insurance
    I have CIGNA through my husband's work and they cover everything. I have a $30 co-pay on chemo or doctor days...big deal. We recently reviewed my paperwork and realized my bills over the past 8 months have totaled nearly $200K...our portion (including my $1000 annual deductible) so far has been around $2000. I'll take it. And we have the 'preferred' plan, so I can chose whatever doctors or treatment centers I want. I used to gripe at hubby when he upgraded the insurance, (it costs us about $250 a month for the both of us, his company pays the rest) but he would just say "you never know at our age." He was SO right!

    I am blessed....Vicki
  • Hatshepsut
    Hatshepsut Member Posts: 336 Member
    VickiCO said:

    yes, thank God for insurance
    I have CIGNA through my husband's work and they cover everything. I have a $30 co-pay on chemo or doctor days...big deal. We recently reviewed my paperwork and realized my bills over the past 8 months have totaled nearly $200K...our portion (including my $1000 annual deductible) so far has been around $2000. I'll take it. And we have the 'preferred' plan, so I can chose whatever doctors or treatment centers I want. I used to gripe at hubby when he upgraded the insurance, (it costs us about $250 a month for the both of us, his company pays the rest) but he would just say "you never know at our age." He was SO right!

    I am blessed....Vicki

    On the other hand...
    My husband has Anthem/Blue Cross and is a retired university professor. For the two of us, we pay approximately $600 per month for his coverage.

    Although his cancer was staged at stage IV, Anthem/Blue Cross (for many months) refused to pay for his Avastin chemotherapy. Our bills were allowed to accumulate into the $100,000 range. I spent many hours on the phone and writing letters to challenge Anthem/Blue Cross' decision and ultimately prevailed--not through Anthem but through an appeal to the retirement system through which we purchase my husband's insurance. This all came at a time when I was devastated by my husband's diagnosis and overwhelmed with the many responsibilities that came my way.

    I remember when my husband was first diagnosed and I was asked if we had good insurance. I answered that we did. I was pretty naive then.

    I am delighted for those of you whose insurance has met your needs. Our experience with our insurance has been hellish and I suspect there are a lot of others out there whose insurance experience has been similarly difficult. What happened to us should not happen to any cancer sufferer.

    Hatshepsut
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893

    On the other hand...
    My husband has Anthem/Blue Cross and is a retired university professor. For the two of us, we pay approximately $600 per month for his coverage.

    Although his cancer was staged at stage IV, Anthem/Blue Cross (for many months) refused to pay for his Avastin chemotherapy. Our bills were allowed to accumulate into the $100,000 range. I spent many hours on the phone and writing letters to challenge Anthem/Blue Cross' decision and ultimately prevailed--not through Anthem but through an appeal to the retirement system through which we purchase my husband's insurance. This all came at a time when I was devastated by my husband's diagnosis and overwhelmed with the many responsibilities that came my way.

    I remember when my husband was first diagnosed and I was asked if we had good insurance. I answered that we did. I was pretty naive then.

    I am delighted for those of you whose insurance has met your needs. Our experience with our insurance has been hellish and I suspect there are a lot of others out there whose insurance experience has been similarly difficult. What happened to us should not happen to any cancer sufferer.

    Hatshepsut

    Anthem Blue Cross
    I have Anthem Blue Cross and will be seeing the Oncologist for the first time on Tuesday. Your post really scares me but I am glad to know what can happen to me.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    serrana said:

    insurance
    Hi Lisa, Serrana here......I still urge you ( and everyone else w/ constipated insurance companies) to challenge Aetna on their rigid policy. These challenges have been won. All contracts have appeal clauses.
    Contact the Calif State Dept of Insurance managed care division, you can probably fill out a form on line. At the same time make a phone call to Aetna, tell them you are recording it, go right up the feeding chain, don't talk to Buffy and Muffy who answer the phone, ask for the "highest level" manager, find out his/her name and ask what the procedure for appeal is. Have them FAX you the paperwork. When you don't get what you want right away then go back and make noises about lawsuits.(There is a terrific attorney in Orange County that won the million dollar judgement last year for denial of coverage. His name is Shernoff . ) Talking about lawsuits will get their attention. HMOs are in the business of NOT providing coverage...it is how they make money.....they pay your doc a set fee per year per patient no matter what services the practice does for you so it is to the doctors benefit to deny alot of services. If you want me to help you on this, email me.
    Serrana

    Serrana- re. insurance
    Hi Serrana,

    Guess what? After talking with the nurse practitioner last Tuesday when I was getting my Avastin infusion at my oncology office, the discussion came up of all my problems in the past of the onc not k-ras testing me, etc. I said to her "They ARE testing everyone for that now after all my problems with it and finding out I had the kras mutation and the Eributx never even helped me, right??" He looked around and shook his head "no". After the doctor walked through, he said he went to a conference just last month on it and another onc from the office was with him. This onc said to the nurse "we really need to start doing this, I guess". The nurse said he said to the doctor "WHY haven't we been doing this when it's now considered standard practice to k-ras test colorectal patients?" The doctor didn't really answer, just said again "I guess we need to start doing it". This is a full eight months after they found out they had put me on the Erbitux for nothing and that I was postive for k-ras! The very fact that they're still not doing what they're supposed to be doing, really upset me and makes me VERY hesitant to trust my oncologist with the future of my care.

    SO... I spent the day yesterday on the phone pouring my story out to someone at Aetna and to see what I can do to get around their "rule" of "not being able to change oncologists while I'm still undergoing treatment". I finally was told that I could probably get around it by changing my primary care Dr. (internist) to a doctor within the UCSD medical group, that way all the UCSD oncologists would be within network. I told them I was told that before also BUT that I was also told that I wasn't allowed to change primary care Dr while still in treatment- period. NOW I was told while that IS their official rule, it's actually up to the new medical group (UCSD in this case) whether to accept me or not as a new patient. I wish I had known that before! I'm pretty sure they would accept me since I've seen specialists there before and had consulted with the oncologist before already. With living fairly far away from UCSD, I'm not real excited to give up my internist, but I'm definitely willing to do it if it will allow me to change! I'm going to do it! I have an appt. w/ Dr. Fanta for June 17- currently set up as a "cash" appt, but hopefully the insurance will cover it by then as a 2nd opinion appt on referral from my current doctor.
    So before changing, I'm going to my scheduled appt w/ my current onc this Monday to see what his angle is. Also, I have a referral in from my internist to see a rheumatologist in a couple of weeks & it will mess it up in the computer if I go and change doctors and medical groups before that appointment. It all gets so complicated!
    Anyhow, wish me luck (or better yet- keep it in prayer for me) so everything will end up working out!
    Thanks for the encouragement!!
    Lisa
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    menright said:

    Aetna
    I have Aetna as well and thank God I do. I recently received notice that over $200K has been wired to the cancer center on my behalf.

    My plan is titled Aetna Select (EPO) and covers 100% once I pay $1000 for a given year. I pay $500 a month for my family coverage, but now I really do not mind. I would be in the streets without insurance.

    Best of luck. It does feel good to me to get something from Insurance after 20 years of paying with no health issues. It is a small positive I think about as I deal with the BEAST.

    Mike

    $500?- Mike
    Hi Mike,

    I have Aetna HMO, which covers 100% other than my copays. You said you pay $500 a month for your family. Is that the total cost, or is your employer (or someone) kicking in some of the cost? I'm current paying $1375 a month for mine for my family of five! I'm paying my former employer on a COBRA plan. It actually includes vision and dental, so I think my actual Aetna cost is around $1250 a month. Outrageous, isn't it? But, on the other hand, my paid amount now is probably around $300K.
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917

    On the other hand...
    My husband has Anthem/Blue Cross and is a retired university professor. For the two of us, we pay approximately $600 per month for his coverage.

    Although his cancer was staged at stage IV, Anthem/Blue Cross (for many months) refused to pay for his Avastin chemotherapy. Our bills were allowed to accumulate into the $100,000 range. I spent many hours on the phone and writing letters to challenge Anthem/Blue Cross' decision and ultimately prevailed--not through Anthem but through an appeal to the retirement system through which we purchase my husband's insurance. This all came at a time when I was devastated by my husband's diagnosis and overwhelmed with the many responsibilities that came my way.

    I remember when my husband was first diagnosed and I was asked if we had good insurance. I answered that we did. I was pretty naive then.

    I am delighted for those of you whose insurance has met your needs. Our experience with our insurance has been hellish and I suspect there are a lot of others out there whose insurance experience has been similarly difficult. What happened to us should not happen to any cancer sufferer.

    Hatshepsut

    Yes, Hatshepsut, I agree
    I should have added that my case is not the norm and what is happening in this country regarding insurance is a travesty. My intent was to say that I realize how blessed I am and I do NOT take it for granted. My own daughter and SIL are in an insurance nightmare with their youngest, who is only 1 year old. He was born with a muscle condition, and the insurance company refuses to pay for therapy, calling it a "pre-exisiting condition." Hello...he was BORN with it! He should be automatically covered.

    My apologies for appearing smug. I was merely trying to say I am grateful that I have good insurance, otherwise my house would be gone now.

    Vicki
  • Hatshepsut
    Hatshepsut Member Posts: 336 Member
    VickiCO said:

    Yes, Hatshepsut, I agree
    I should have added that my case is not the norm and what is happening in this country regarding insurance is a travesty. My intent was to say that I realize how blessed I am and I do NOT take it for granted. My own daughter and SIL are in an insurance nightmare with their youngest, who is only 1 year old. He was born with a muscle condition, and the insurance company refuses to pay for therapy, calling it a "pre-exisiting condition." Hello...he was BORN with it! He should be automatically covered.

    My apologies for appearing smug. I was merely trying to say I am grateful that I have good insurance, otherwise my house would be gone now.

    Vicki

    No apologies neccessary...
    Thanks, Vicki, for your note.

    My post was not aimed at you. I'm happy for you that your insurance coverage has served you well.

    I am exasperated that our country has allowed this awful, too often greed-driven, insurance system to victimize so many people at precisely the moment when they are most vulnerable.

    In my husband's case, many roadblocks were thrown at us and every contractual loophole was exploited. I think most people, thankfully, don't have a major illness. Because they don't, they don't realize how really sick people are abused. In my husband's case, the insurance company's "games" made me so mad that I stayed on top of them (not always in my best emotional interests, by the way). I am sure that there are a lot of people out there who get overwhelmed and give up, shouldering sometimes overwhelming financial burdens or skipping critical treatments.

    Hatshepsut
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    lisa42 said:

    $500?- Mike
    Hi Mike,

    I have Aetna HMO, which covers 100% other than my copays. You said you pay $500 a month for your family. Is that the total cost, or is your employer (or someone) kicking in some of the cost? I'm current paying $1375 a month for mine for my family of five! I'm paying my former employer on a COBRA plan. It actually includes vision and dental, so I think my actual Aetna cost is around $1250 a month. Outrageous, isn't it? But, on the other hand, my paid amount now is probably around $300K.

    500 per month
    Lisa:

    This is my share. I am not sure of the total cost but my employer covers the balance.

    Best of luck.

    Mike