All I can say about this article is, WOW who knew!

Joe,

First it was peanuts and now obamacare. A little more and I’ll have to call you Joeipedia and make you the go to guy for information.

There is something new every day.

Matt

jcortney said:

As long as you don't call

As long as you don't call me

Joeileaks......

saying this?

Obamacare/ACA is still such an emotional issue, it seems CSN, at least this HNC specific forum, might be better served if we all agree to keep thge discussion on this topic well constrained. I suspect many have decided not to jump on this; at least I speak for myself to not engage as it serves no purpose to anyone dealing with specific concerns related to their diagnosis or treatement or improving one's mentla outlook as a cancer survivor. Personally, I'm fine with letting this thread act as the Octagon but would think it best if it all stays here. Just my two cents, as always, Don

ratface said:

Lets be factual

There is no value in scaring people. The article is written as a scare tactic and should be digested as such. Hospitals cannot opt out of Obamacare. I would think at least on a cancer site the reception might be a bit more friendly. Have we forgotten what it was like for those with pre-exiisting conditions? If you read the full article as well as the commentary you will see that it is the insurance companies that are not contracting with every hospital. Where before the hospital might have acceapted six or seven carriers they might now only be accceapting two. We will be have to be more vigilent in choosing our insurance carriers under Obamacare. Lets not throw the baby out with the bath water. In 2013 I couldn't get affordable insurance on the private market nor was my wife's mamagram covered. In 2014 I can do both. It's better to discuss specifics rather than writing articles that leave out pertinent information. Buyer beware as has always been the case. We will have to become more savy insurance shoppers.

Thank you Ratface. I am so tired of the scare tactics. Obama care isn't perfect, but neither was what we had before. As with all research and surveys, "consider the source." Recently Sea World did a survey on whether the documentary showing cruelty to killer whales changed opinions of people towards Sea World. It showed 99% said no. When independant news source researched who took the survey they found that almost all respondants used Sea World computers and one computer 100s of times.

Debbie

ratface said:

Cure Magazine

Which is in every cancer treatment waiting room across America has devoted this months entire issue to paying for Cancer. It's a reality we will all face and continue to face in follow-up. I think Insurance is valid discussion on this forum. Our system is evolving and I  just think we all will be affected no matter what side we stand on. I welcome opinions on it's many facets. I need to learn the whole picture and can look at it objectively. 

Agreed! What better place TO discuss this issue?! Part of dealing with this horrid disease is finding and discussing resources of every kind, including the financial aspect.  If people in this forum can provide useful information (note: information. Not rumor), then that information is helpful to someone. This forum debates different topics all the time (pot, homeopathic vs. chemical meds, radiation or not, etc.). So let’s continue the discussion, and try to provide facts and personal experiences. Unless someone KNOWS from a personal experience that a hospital has “opted out”, we should assume that they are not and can not. It’s the insurance companies who are cancelling policies. That part IS a fact.

David.

ratface said:

Cure Magazine

Which is in every cancer treatment waiting room across America has devoted this months entire issue to paying for Cancer. It's a reality we will all face and continue to face in follow-up. I think Insurance is valid discussion on this forum. Our system is evolving and I  just think we all will be affected no matter what side we stand on. I welcome opinions on it's many facets. I need to learn the whole picture and can look at it objectively. 

I read the CURE magazine articles just yesterday, and I think they have presented a balanced look at ACA.  I also think that we on CSN can have an open discussion about the changes, problems, benefits, etc, without politicizing this thing.  Cancer doesn't care if you are a democrat, republican, libertarian, etc. I think we can do everyone here, espcially the newbies and their caretakers, a huge favor by communicating what we will learn about ACA in the coming months (not what we think will/won't happen), so that we can give them better advice when we get those posts that start with, "Hi, new on this site--have some questions about insurance".  Only time will tell how ACA will impact cancer patients and survivors, so let's try to collect facts to pass along to them and among ourselves--not fears.

Mike

ratface said:

Some new benefits

I just wanted to make a few points I took from the attached article: Cure magazine:

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/2233

There is now no lifetime limit on insurance

There is now no anuual limit on services

There is now no limit on costs of  cancer drugs

Pre-existing conditions are covered for everyone including children

 

These are a very big deal for cancer patients where treatment and chemo can be years in the process and run into the millions. A big expense for us is chemo drugs which before could easily surpass the dollar limits.  In 2014 I can no longer be denied insurance for having a pre-existing condition, "Cancer".  Just days ago we were all in a  discriminated class of people. I agree that much evolution must take place and many bugs worked out, but the non discrimination is a huge step in the right direction. 

 

 

 

 

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/2233

 

 

It is obviously clear the readership of this forum makes out far far better than the average citizen under ACA. Treating our disease places us at the high end of payments doled out by the insurance companies. Until ACA they were able to weave and dodge and leave us underinsured or uninsured. Those days are over thank God.

You can bet they will still play as many games as they always have to dodge making payments. Even though such statements as cancer drug costs are now unlimited, you can bet they will find ways to keep the expensive therapies off their list of what they approve. Think of the comparatively very inexpensive MuGard and how few carriers will pay out. You know when drug therapies run into six figures, they will really put on the press to avoid processing those requests. That said, ACA is still a great advantage to at least make them work harder to earn their profits.

ratface said:

Some new benefits

I just wanted to make a few points I took from the attached article: Cure magazine:

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/2233

There is now no lifetime limit on insurance

There is now no anuual limit on services

There is now no limit on costs of  cancer drugs

Pre-existing conditions are covered for everyone including children

 

These are a very big deal for cancer patients where treatment and chemo can be years in the process and run into the millions. A big expense for us is chemo drugs which before could easily surpass the dollar limits.  In 2014 I can no longer be denied insurance for having a pre-existing condition, "Cancer".  Just days ago we were all in a  discriminated class of people. I agree that much evolution must take place and many bugs worked out, but the non discrimination is a huge step in the right direction. 

 

 

 

 

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/2233

 

 

I gathered the same information you did when I got the magazine last month.....impressive to humanity! We here are personally getting more coverage for things we never got before or could afford. I'm pleased so far.

I am in favor of discussion on insurance anytime! ...as someone put, "Cancer doesn't care if your democrat, republican, libertarian, etc."

~C