Vitamin C IV therapy - Kansas Medical Center study - Has anyone tried this?

RoseyR

Ro10 said:

Rosey, vitamin k can cause the blood to thicken
People on oral blood thinners are advised not to eat an excess of foods high in vitamin k because it can effect their dosage of the medicine. Since I am taking the injections I don't have to watch what I eat.

Thanks, Ro; You are Right

Thanks for correcting me on this; somehow, I got it backward. Yes, if you're on blood thinners, you shouldn't ingest too much Vitamin K because it may interfere with the blood thinner by causing blood to thicken a bit; K does abet the blood-clotting process. (Checked out my old research files and yes, you are right.)

Sorry for my error.

The rest of my info, however, is correct according to Keith Block. (As cancer patients, we want to thin our blood as much as possible but we don't want it to be so thin that we're in danger of extremely low platelets or aneurisms.)

Hope you're feeling well, Ro.

Best,
Rosey

Tethys41

IVC
I received vitamin C and nutritional IVs throughout my treatment for stage IIIc ovarian cancer. There's little doubt in my mind that they helped reduce the side effects of the chemo drugs and kept my immune system from being trashed. I acheived remission after 8 rounds of chemo, and the chemo nurses told me they saw me looking better and better with each treatment, which, they said, is not ususally the case with their patients.
I had my first vitamin C IVs during a 2 week stay at the Oasis of Hope hospital in Mexico. My treatment there was aimed at boosting my immune system and sensitizing the tumors to the chemo I was receiving in the states. An integrative nurse practitioner I know well tells me that IVC can even sensitize tumors that have become chemo resistant.
I've continued the IVs at a gradually reduced rate, since the end of chemo in 2/10, since the first two years after chemo are critical for keeping your immune system functioning properly. They are expensive, and mine cost much more than the price CarolenK quotes. I was able, however, to learn how to have my insurance cover the cost of the IVs.

bea-mil

janh_in_ontario said:

How effective were the treatments?
You mentioned you had some treatments in Toronto - were they effective? Where did you get them? Would they be covered under insurance? Would you recommend them? I would love to learn more!
Thanks
jan

Here is the link to the
Here is the link to the clinic:
http://nasriclinic.com/
The treatments are not covered by OHIP and I don't have any other private insurance so I had to pay for them (250-500 per treatment). It is hard to say what is helping me, these treatments, or my diet, or reiki, or herbs I'm taking, but I'm still ok after almost 2 years from my surgery. I'm trying many alternative things since I'm not doing any conventional treatments.
Bea-Mil

RoseyR

Tethys41 said:

IVC
I received vitamin C and nutritional IVs throughout my treatment for stage IIIc ovarian cancer. There's little doubt in my mind that they helped reduce the side effects of the chemo drugs and kept my immune system from being trashed. I acheived remission after 8 rounds of chemo, and the chemo nurses told me they saw me looking better and better with each treatment, which, they said, is not ususally the case with their patients.
I had my first vitamin C IVs during a 2 week stay at the Oasis of Hope hospital in Mexico. My treatment there was aimed at boosting my immune system and sensitizing the tumors to the chemo I was receiving in the states. An integrative nurse practitioner I know well tells me that IVC can even sensitize tumors that have become chemo resistant.
I've continued the IVs at a gradually reduced rate, since the end of chemo in 2/10, since the first two years after chemo are critical for keeping your immune system functioning properly. They are expensive, and mine cost much more than the price CarolenK quotes. I was able, however, to learn how to have my insurance cover the cost of the IVs.

CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOU GOT YOUR INSURANCE TO COVER IV TREATMENT?


Since many of us would like to explore IV treatment but are convinced we can't afford it, could you share any tips on how you got your insurance company to cover it? I have very good insurance (Personal Choice) but would have no idea how to get them to cover such treatments. Even if they would pay half the cost, I'd be grateful!

Thanks, Rosey

RoseyR

Tethys41 said:

IVC
I received vitamin C and nutritional IVs throughout my treatment for stage IIIc ovarian cancer. There's little doubt in my mind that they helped reduce the side effects of the chemo drugs and kept my immune system from being trashed. I acheived remission after 8 rounds of chemo, and the chemo nurses told me they saw me looking better and better with each treatment, which, they said, is not ususally the case with their patients.
I had my first vitamin C IVs during a 2 week stay at the Oasis of Hope hospital in Mexico. My treatment there was aimed at boosting my immune system and sensitizing the tumors to the chemo I was receiving in the states. An integrative nurse practitioner I know well tells me that IVC can even sensitize tumors that have become chemo resistant.
I've continued the IVs at a gradually reduced rate, since the end of chemo in 2/10, since the first two years after chemo are critical for keeping your immune system functioning properly. They are expensive, and mine cost much more than the price CarolenK quotes. I was able, however, to learn how to have my insurance cover the cost of the IVs.

CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOU GOT YOUR INSURANCE TO COVER IV TREATMENT?


Since many of us would like to explore IV treatment but are convinced we can't afford it, could you share any tips on how you got your insurance company to cover it? I have very good insurance (Personal Choice) but would have no idea how to get them to cover such treatments. Even if they would pay half the cost, I'd be grateful!

Thanks, Rosey

Tethys41

RoseyR said:

CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOU GOT YOUR INSURANCE TO COVER IV TREATMENT?


Since many of us would like to explore IV treatment but are convinced we can't afford it, could you share any tips on how you got your insurance company to cover it? I have very good insurance (Personal Choice) but would have no idea how to get them to cover such treatments. Even if they would pay half the cost, I'd be grateful!

Thanks, Rosey

It's all about the codes
The first step in determining whether your insurance will cover the IVs is to call and find out whether they will cover the following CPT codes:
96365
96366
96550
J7050
Each code represents a different apart of the procedure. If they do cover the codes, reimbursement will depend on whether your pracitioner is in network or out of network. You will need to meet your out of network deductible before they pay for any of the service for out of network pracitioners. If the practitioner is in network, there is an assigned amount for each procedure for which insurance will pay.
If the codes are covered, you then submit a claim form with these codes listed on it, and the affiliated costs. You would want to check with your pracitioner because they have specific amounts that they claim for each of these procedures.
96365 represents the first hour of the IV
96366 represents each subsequent hour of IV (so if your IV lasts 3 hours, you would list this twice)
96550 represents port access, if you receive the IV through a port
J7050 represents the IV fluid and you need to indicate the number of ml in the IV

The claim form will also require the diagnosis codes and probably which codes relate to each item listed above. So for me, I used the codes for ovarian cancer and fatigue. No where on the claim form is it necessary to indicate that the IV was vitamin C.

Not much of this process is easy. I had to make multiple phone calls to my insurance company to get them to come through on this. Once they got their act together, however, they covered a year's worth of IVs, which amounted to around $15K. Once they proved to my practitioner that they would pay for the IVs, she now submits the claims and receives payment from them directly, instead of from me.
Hope it works for you.

RoseyR

Tethys41 said:

It's all about the codes
The first step in determining whether your insurance will cover the IVs is to call and find out whether they will cover the following CPT codes:
96365
96366
96550
J7050
Each code represents a different apart of the procedure. If they do cover the codes, reimbursement will depend on whether your pracitioner is in network or out of network. You will need to meet your out of network deductible before they pay for any of the service for out of network pracitioners. If the practitioner is in network, there is an assigned amount for each procedure for which insurance will pay.
If the codes are covered, you then submit a claim form with these codes listed on it, and the affiliated costs. You would want to check with your pracitioner because they have specific amounts that they claim for each of these procedures.
96365 represents the first hour of the IV
96366 represents each subsequent hour of IV (so if your IV lasts 3 hours, you would list this twice)
96550 represents port access, if you receive the IV through a port
J7050 represents the IV fluid and you need to indicate the number of ml in the IV

The claim form will also require the diagnosis codes and probably which codes relate to each item listed above. So for me, I used the codes for ovarian cancer and fatigue. No where on the claim form is it necessary to indicate that the IV was vitamin C.

Not much of this process is easy. I had to make multiple phone calls to my insurance company to get them to come through on this. Once they got their act together, however, they covered a year's worth of IVs, which amounted to around $15K. Once they proved to my practitioner that they would pay for the IVs, she now submits the claims and receives payment from them directly, instead of from me.
Hope it works for you.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR VITAL INFO

Really appreciate all your detail on this; it may help many of us.

One final question: What made you go to Oasis of Hope in Mexico (among many clinics outside the U.S.); was it your own research or someone's recommendation? And do they now have a branch in California, as I heard half a year ago?

Should I have a recurrence, my doctor is recommending that I consider Keith Block's treatment center in Illinois where apparently he does chronotherapy, nutritional IVs, and takes a very comprehensive approach to treating our disease.

Best,
Rosey

Tethys41

RoseyR said:

THANKS SO MUCH FOR VITAL INFO

Really appreciate all your detail on this; it may help many of us.

One final question: What made you go to Oasis of Hope in Mexico (among many clinics outside the U.S.); was it your own research or someone's recommendation? And do they now have a branch in California, as I heard half a year ago?

Should I have a recurrence, my doctor is recommending that I consider Keith Block's treatment center in Illinois where apparently he does chronotherapy, nutritional IVs, and takes a very comprehensive approach to treating our disease.

Best,
Rosey

Block Center
I've heard amazing things about the Block Center and might have gone there had I known about it. The nice thing is they accept insurance.
I went to Oasis of Hope because a friend's husband, who had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer a couple of years earlier, had gone there. He was successfully treated without chemo. The "without chemo" aspect really appealed to me, but when I spoke to the doctors there they said that, for ovarian cancer, they saw better results with chemo.
I was looking at the site for the new Oasis of Hope in CA. I'm guessing that they can do most of the treatments I received in Mexico, but some are not leagal in the U.S. It also appears that the CA branch is focusing mainly on supporting patients through chemo, rather than alternative treatment.

Best of luck with the insurance. Let me know how it goes.

strongformom

Tethys41 said:

Block Center
I've heard amazing things about the Block Center and might have gone there had I known about it. The nice thing is they accept insurance.
I went to Oasis of Hope because a friend's husband, who had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer a couple of years earlier, had gone there. He was successfully treated without chemo. The "without chemo" aspect really appealed to me, but when I spoke to the doctors there they said that, for ovarian cancer, they saw better results with chemo.
I was looking at the site for the new Oasis of Hope in CA. I'm guessing that they can do most of the treatments I received in Mexico, but some are not leagal in the U.S. It also appears that the CA branch is focusing mainly on supporting patients through chemo, rather than alternative treatment.

Best of luck with the insurance. Let me know how it goes.

Thank you everyone
Hi all,

Thank you very much for sharing your stories and information.

I'm trying to find a place in San Diego that offers Vitamin C IV therapy as the Moores Cancer Center at UCSD does not. I tried calling the American Cancer Association but their representative said they do not have a way to sort their treatment center data by this type of integrative/immune therapy criteria. I did find a place in La Jolla which offers Vitamin C IVs, so I'm thrilled as this is very close by to my mom should she be able to use it.

During my internet research, I found a blog with listings of some cancer centers which offer Vitamin C IV treatment. I have verified some of the listing are accurate, but I can't vouch for all of them. If anyone hasn't seen this already, here it is:

http://intravenousvitaminc.blogspot.com/2008/03/doctors-clinics-researchers.html

Take care everyone. Have a good weekend.

Best,
Jen

BonnieJ1

New to this site
Hello, everyone. I am new to this thing called UPSC having been diagnosed Jan 3, after a "routine" hysterectomy in Dec.2011 because of post menopausal bleeding. I had a CT scan in mid Jan. that revealed 2 enlarged lymphs. Second surgery is Feb 17 when the Dr will go in to find anything that was missed by the first surgery. Chemo and radiation have been mentioned. I am sure I will learn more soon.

I have always leaned toward "alternative" medicine and have known about IV-C therapy for several years. Who knew it might become one of my options! I recently contacted a doctor who was a leader in IV therapy, who gave me a web site to learn of Drs. in my area who currently do the IV-C work. So here is the web address: www.acam.org This stands for American College for Advancement in Medicine. Hope you can find someone in your area to consult.

The doctor also gave me the web site for a company that sells liposomal Vit C that you take orally in high doses without causing diarrhea. www.livonlabs.com It is rather expensive. So another site is http://www.naturalnews.com/034591_vitamin_C_mega-dose_healing.html that actually shows you how to make the liposomal VitC in your own kitchen. This may not be for everyone, but I have been taking 15,000mg of Vit C for 2 weeks now and feel good. My oncologist thinks I am wasting my money, but this is cheap complimentary healthcare for me.

I hope this helps anyone looking for some further Vit C information.

I so appreciate Tethys41 for sharing her information concerning the codes needed to work with the insurance companies. Thank you again.

Blue skies, Bonnie

kcsoftball

Tethys41 said:

It's all about the codes
The first step in determining whether your insurance will cover the IVs is to call and find out whether they will cover the following CPT codes:
96365
96366
96550
J7050
Each code represents a different apart of the procedure. If they do cover the codes, reimbursement will depend on whether your pracitioner is in network or out of network. You will need to meet your out of network deductible before they pay for any of the service for out of network pracitioners. If the practitioner is in network, there is an assigned amount for each procedure for which insurance will pay.
If the codes are covered, you then submit a claim form with these codes listed on it, and the affiliated costs. You would want to check with your pracitioner because they have specific amounts that they claim for each of these procedures.
96365 represents the first hour of the IV
96366 represents each subsequent hour of IV (so if your IV lasts 3 hours, you would list this twice)
96550 represents port access, if you receive the IV through a port
J7050 represents the IV fluid and you need to indicate the number of ml in the IV

The claim form will also require the diagnosis codes and probably which codes relate to each item listed above. So for me, I used the codes for ovarian cancer and fatigue. No where on the claim form is it necessary to indicate that the IV was vitamin C.

Not much of this process is easy. I had to make multiple phone calls to my insurance company to get them to come through on this. Once they got their act together, however, they covered a year's worth of IVs, which amounted to around $15K. Once they proved to my practitioner that they would pay for the IVs, she now submits the claims and receives payment from them directly, instead of from me.
Hope it works for you.

Thank You for the codes
Thank you so much for these codes. I have contacted my insurance company and they will approve all these codes, now all I have to do is get my infusion clinic to list these codes on their billing sheet. That would be a lifesaver for me. My treatments @ KU Medical Center are $160 each and I am taking 3x per week.

I am hoping that will even pay some portion of this.

Thanks again, and I hope all is going well with you.
Sheryl

daisy366

kcsoftball said:

Thank You for the codes
Thank you so much for these codes. I have contacted my insurance company and they will approve all these codes, now all I have to do is get my infusion clinic to list these codes on their billing sheet. That would be a lifesaver for me. My treatments @ KU Medical Center are $160 each and I am taking 3x per week.

I am hoping that will even pay some portion of this.

Thanks again, and I hope all is going well with you.
Sheryl

Sheryl
Do you have any indication that these treatments are helping?? I'm curious to know.

mary Ann

maryambaker

strongformom said:

Thank you everyone
Hi all,

Thank you very much for sharing your stories and information.

I'm trying to find a place in San Diego that offers Vitamin C IV therapy as the Moores Cancer Center at UCSD does not. I tried calling the American Cancer Association but their representative said they do not have a way to sort their treatment center data by this type of integrative/immune therapy criteria. I did find a place in La Jolla which offers Vitamin C IVs, so I'm thrilled as this is very close by to my mom should she be able to use it.

During my internet research, I found a blog with listings of some cancer centers which offer Vitamin C IV treatment. I have verified some of the listing are accurate, but I can't vouch for all of them. If anyone hasn't seen this already, here it is:

http://intravenousvitaminc.blogspot.com/2008/03/doctors-clinics-researchers.html

Take care everyone. Have a good weekend.

Best,
Jen

La Jolla Vitamin C IVs
Hi Jen,
I am an ovarian CA patient (stage 111C) at Moores Cancer Center in San Diego and my cancer has just recurred (I had a pleural effusion and a talc pleuroldesis). My sister died of stage 111C ovarian cancer 13 yeas ago and so far my treatment has been the same as hers; very discouraging to follow the same path; where are the scientific advances in all this time ? My oncologist says my cancer is now "incurable" and I begin "salavage chemo" in a couple of weeks. I have a bad feeling I am going to be "written off" by Moores when I want to fight for my life. I would like to try Vitamin C IVs; where in La Jolla can one get this treatment?
Best wishes,
Miriam

maryambaker

strongformom said:

Thank you everyone
Hi all,

Thank you very much for sharing your stories and information.

I'm trying to find a place in San Diego that offers Vitamin C IV therapy as the Moores Cancer Center at UCSD does not. I tried calling the American Cancer Association but their representative said they do not have a way to sort their treatment center data by this type of integrative/immune therapy criteria. I did find a place in La Jolla which offers Vitamin C IVs, so I'm thrilled as this is very close by to my mom should she be able to use it.

During my internet research, I found a blog with listings of some cancer centers which offer Vitamin C IV treatment. I have verified some of the listing are accurate, but I can't vouch for all of them. If anyone hasn't seen this already, here it is:

http://intravenousvitaminc.blogspot.com/2008/03/doctors-clinics-researchers.html

Take care everyone. Have a good weekend.

Best,
Jen

La Jolla Vitamin C IVs
Hi Jen,
I am an ovarian CA patient (stage 111C) at Moores Cancer Center in San Diego and my cancer has just recurred (I had a pleural effusion and a talc pleuroldesis). My sister died of stage 111C ovarian cancer 13 yeas ago and so far my treatment has been the same as hers; very discouraging to follow the same path; where are the scientific advances in all this time ? My oncologist says my cancer is now "incurable" and I begin "salavage chemo" in a couple of weeks. I have a bad feeling I am going to be "written off" by Moores when I want to fight for my life. I would like to try Vitamin C IVs; where in La Jolla can one get this treatment?
Best wishes,
Miriam

Tethys41

maryambaker said:

La Jolla Vitamin C IVs
Hi Jen,
I am an ovarian CA patient (stage 111C) at Moores Cancer Center in San Diego and my cancer has just recurred (I had a pleural effusion and a talc pleuroldesis). My sister died of stage 111C ovarian cancer 13 yeas ago and so far my treatment has been the same as hers; very discouraging to follow the same path; where are the scientific advances in all this time ? My oncologist says my cancer is now "incurable" and I begin "salavage chemo" in a couple of weeks. I have a bad feeling I am going to be "written off" by Moores when I want to fight for my life. I would like to try Vitamin C IVs; where in La Jolla can one get this treatment?
Best wishes,
Miriam

IVC
Miriam,
I am not familiar with pracitioners in the San Diego area. But, if you're willing to drive, I highly recommend Dr. Fung at Live Well Clinic, in La Quinta, near Palm Springs. I worked with her at the beginning of my treatment, because I had to travel to California to find a gyn/onc. She has multiple integrative treatments she can administer to help you with this. I also think you may want to get a second opinion from another oncologist. I know many women who have acheived a second remission after a recurrance.

jt25741

Tethys41 said:

It's all about the codes
The first step in determining whether your insurance will cover the IVs is to call and find out whether they will cover the following CPT codes:
96365
96366
96550
J7050
Each code represents a different apart of the procedure. If they do cover the codes, reimbursement will depend on whether your pracitioner is in network or out of network. You will need to meet your out of network deductible before they pay for any of the service for out of network pracitioners. If the practitioner is in network, there is an assigned amount for each procedure for which insurance will pay.
If the codes are covered, you then submit a claim form with these codes listed on it, and the affiliated costs. You would want to check with your pracitioner because they have specific amounts that they claim for each of these procedures.
96365 represents the first hour of the IV
96366 represents each subsequent hour of IV (so if your IV lasts 3 hours, you would list this twice)
96550 represents port access, if you receive the IV through a port
J7050 represents the IV fluid and you need to indicate the number of ml in the IV

The claim form will also require the diagnosis codes and probably which codes relate to each item listed above. So for me, I used the codes for ovarian cancer and fatigue. No where on the claim form is it necessary to indicate that the IV was vitamin C.

Not much of this process is easy. I had to make multiple phone calls to my insurance company to get them to come through on this. Once they got their act together, however, they covered a year's worth of IVs, which amounted to around $15K. Once they proved to my practitioner that they would pay for the IVs, she now submits the claims and receives payment from them directly, instead of from me.
Hope it works for you.

Huge thanks to Tethys

I have been struggling to figure out how to pay for these sessions for my wife.   The cost out of pocket would be much higher than our mortgage.    But at the same time much much lower than chemo has been for the insurance company.   If this can help cure my wife, everyone will be so much better off -- even the insurance company.   

If anyone has gone to the Irvine CA based Oasis of Hope for IVC, please let me know.   I am hoping it is possible for Dr Connealy to bill these out properly without burdening us with the process.  Any experience with them on this board?

Thanks again

 

 

jt25741

jt25741 said:

Huge thanks to Tethys

I have been struggling to figure out how to pay for these sessions for my wife.   The cost out of pocket would be much higher than our mortgage.    But at the same time much much lower than chemo has been for the insurance company.   If this can help cure my wife, everyone will be so much better off -- even the insurance company.   

If anyone has gone to the Irvine CA based Oasis of Hope for IVC, please let me know.   I am hoping it is possible for Dr Connealy to bill these out properly without burdening us with the process.  Any experience with them on this board?

Thanks again

 

 

More Codes

To my understanding the following additional codes are important, supporting the comments Tethys made:

 

Diagnosis Code: Fatigue 780.7, Ovarian Cancer: V10.43  or 183.0

 

This make sense to you Tethys and others?    Please correct otherwise.   Thanks.

Tethys41

jt25741 said:

More Codes

To my understanding the following additional codes are important, supporting the comments Tethys made:

 

Diagnosis Code: Fatigue 780.7, Ovarian Cancer: V10.43  or 183.0

 

This make sense to you Tethys and others?    Please correct otherwise.   Thanks.

Makes Sense

Yes, this makes sense, as you need valid diagnosis codes to relate the IV codes to.  I'm glad this information has helped.  Good luck to you and your wife.

jt25741

Tethys41 said:

Makes Sense

Yes, this makes sense, as you need valid diagnosis codes to relate the IV codes to.  I'm glad this information has helped.  Good luck to you and your wife.

Thanks again Tethys for helping us

This thread really saved me from desparation after a google search.   I recently found that the following codes do not necessarily apply...so check your insurance directly on this (UHC in my case):

96550 represents port access ---- this CPT code has been merged with 96365 and 96366, and is no longer billable. 

J7050 represents the IV fluid ---   this represents saline solution only according to insurance, and in our case the Vit C is mixed with distilled water for ideal osmology -- so technically this is not a billable code either.   

But the other codes are valid, and will generate some reimbersement, so I still have to wait and see what this means as far as net-payment amount from us vs insurance.

Now hoping this stuff does some real good.

 

 

 

pipscout

Vitamin C IVs

Hello,

I wanted to share that I've been doing Vitamin C IVs since last summer, overlapping with my chemotherapy treatments. I do have to pay for them out of pocket unfortunately, so tend to just go about three times a month. My daughters helped me to do a fundraising site at youcaring.org and my family and friends helped with the cost ($150 each treatment). I also use my FlexSpending account from work and haven't had any problem getting reimbursed as a health cost. There is one naturopath in my town that does the IV treatment.

I don't know how/if it will diminish the cancer. (I currently am having progression and am going to need to switch chemotherapies). However, I feel like it has definitely helped with feeling well and resilient through treatment. Improved energy and I didn't have problems with my blood counts this time around. I also avoided the colds and flu all around me this winter. I really do think it makes a difference in that way.

The other thing to consider is the time commitment. Since I am still working it is another appointment to fit into the week. Usually takes about 2 and a half hours each treatment.

My best to all, Teresa