PET Scans

trspaw
trspaw Member Posts: 73
in Lung Cancer #1
I am 6 months out from my last chemotherapy treatment and my insurance is refusing to pay for a PET scan unless I have a CT Scan that shows something to warrant a PET, is anyone else having this problem with insurance? If this is not recommened as a regular test / follow up by the ACS why is that? Should we not be using all the tools possible to prevent cancer and alert us as early as possible to its' reoccurrence? Any input would be appreciated.

I have done everything my doctors have asked or suggested I do not want to suffer a recurrence that is not detected as early as possible because an insurance company doesn't want to pay for a test.

Thank you and God Bless
Teresa

Comments

  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #2
    hi!
    Did your Doctor order a PET? I've never been turned down; that is strange.
    Good Luck!
    Medi
  • ann m
    ann m Member Posts: 30
    #3
    I have heard of insurance
    I have heard of insurance refusing patients PET Scans. You need to call them and demand and have your doctors do the same. They shouldn't be able to get away with this.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hi Teresa
    When I get problems like this I normally have my doctor contact my insurance provider and send them a letter as to why I need this test and not the others. Sometimes it works sometimes not but it is worth a try.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi Teresa
    When I get problems like this I normally have my doctor contact my insurance provider and send them a letter as to why I need this test and not the others. Sometimes it works sometimes not but it is worth a try.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo

    SCANS
    Maybe the reason is that your current CT scan shows no difference from the last one. If there were a noticable difference, then a PET would show whether it is new cancer or not. Who really knows what lurks in the minds of insurance people anyway? Pet scans are very very expensive. The DR. letter is a good idea though. Ask about the CT scans then and now.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #6
    Once a year...
    I've heard that a lot of insurance companies will only pay for one PET per year. They may also feel that your CT scan showed nothing to warrant another PET. I am 2 years post treatment and did not have another PET until 3 months ago when my CT showed 3 areas of concern. A lot of doctors don't even order PET scans unless there is reason for concern.

    Hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction.

    Glenna
  • trspaw
    trspaw Member Posts: 73
    #7
    Thank you
    Thanks everyone for your replies, they have been helpful.

    Have a great day

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