refused care at cancer treatment of america because on cobra

okthen
okthen Member Posts: 232
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Just got off phone with Cancer Treatment Center of America...talked with them the night of DH's dx. They were very sympathetic, spent lots of time talking w me about financials, insurance, tx options etc. DH laid off, cobra ends 10/20/10...no benefits w my job...they knew it all. Basically told me they were the best of the best and they were his best hope for cure/recovery (to be expected, I knew I was being "sold to", but we were considering them as an option if needed)

DH staged as "very early"...but Dr #1 recommends abdominal surgery removing 2/3 's of rectum. Appointment Wed w Dr. #2 for 2nd opinion. If same recommendation thought we would go to CTCA or some other Cancer center in hopes for a better option.

ANYWAY...CTCA calls today and says they can't take us, we have to have 8 months of cobra and we only have 4 and 3 weeks. The first thing that came to mind was how the rep on the phone the 1st night went on and on about the centers "Mother standards"...how they treat every patient as if it were their own mother...UNLESS (he forgot to add) they can't charge you for at least 8 months of Treatment. I wouldn't agree..but I would get it if we only had a month of insurance left. It just seems so cold and uncaring...not sure why I keep thinking things are different....I always seem shocked when something like this happens, I should know better by now.

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    How Does CCTA Sleep at Night?
    CCTA panders to people, who are in their most vulnerable state - the newly diagnosed.

    Their commercials pretty much tell you what they are all about - their sappy sermons try to elicit the feelings that if you go with them, all will be right.

    The one that struck me the hardest was a guy who had pancreatic cancer - and he was saved. Well, only 1% of pancreatic cancer patients actually make it, and I doubt it was that guy. If Patrick Swayze did not make it, I'm sure this guy would not either. It's infuriating how misleading they are - and how they take advantage of people's emotions.

    Yes, they are a sales organization and "for profit" services are the key to keeping their doors open.

    I talked with them a couple of years ago and was given the usual song and dance routine. When I asked if they accepted a team approach and would work with my doctors here, they flatly refused and said, "since we are putting up your lodging and travel expenses, we do not consult outside of our establishment.

    At that point, I politely hung up and put these people in my rear view mirror.

    A regular cancer center or an NCI facility, or a good teaching hospital will still be able to adminster the same types of chemo and you will fare just as well looking into those.

    Sorry about your bad experience with them - they talk a good game, but when the rubber hits the road, they are 100% all about the Benjamins.

    I encourage you to see what your area has to offer - if you can tell us what state you live in, many members here can give you recommendations on the hospitals they have used, with terrific success.

    Thanks for your story - you may have saved someone else from having to put up with you just had to.

    Welcome to the forum here and hope we can help you as you begin your journey.

    -Craig
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #3
    That is awful
    SORRY this has happened to you my DR and I just had a coversation about some of these places he calls them sharks and warned me to stay away from some places ALWAYS check with your onc befor going anywhere like this as long as you trust your onc that is I am lucky I trust my onc. also could you apply for disability here in Ohio stage IV definantly qualifies you for disability, just be careful of who you go too. I cant stress this enough
    good luck to you and keep us posted DONT GIVE UP

    Sheri22
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #4
    Journey
    I am unemployed and also on Cobra, but hopefully I am near the end (of the expensive part) of my cancer journey and have a bit more time for Cobra than you.
    I hope you find some treatment facility that you are comfortable with and that they have better Mother standards than CTCA.
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #5
    Sundanceh said:

    How Does CCTA Sleep at Night?
    CCTA panders to people, who are in their most vulnerable state - the newly diagnosed.

    Their commercials pretty much tell you what they are all about - their sappy sermons try to elicit the feelings that if you go with them, all will be right.

    The one that struck me the hardest was a guy who had pancreatic cancer - and he was saved. Well, only 1% of pancreatic cancer patients actually make it, and I doubt it was that guy. If Patrick Swayze did not make it, I'm sure this guy would not either. It's infuriating how misleading they are - and how they take advantage of people's emotions.

    Yes, they are a sales organization and "for profit" services are the key to keeping their doors open.

    I talked with them a couple of years ago and was given the usual song and dance routine. When I asked if they accepted a team approach and would work with my doctors here, they flatly refused and said, "since we are putting up your lodging and travel expenses, we do not consult outside of our establishment.

    At that point, I politely hung up and put these people in my rear view mirror.

    A regular cancer center or an NCI facility, or a good teaching hospital will still be able to adminster the same types of chemo and you will fare just as well looking into those.

    Sorry about your bad experience with them - they talk a good game, but when the rubber hits the road, they are 100% all about the Benjamins.

    I encourage you to see what your area has to offer - if you can tell us what state you live in, many members here can give you recommendations on the hospitals they have used, with terrific success.

    Thanks for your story - you may have saved someone else from having to put up with you just had to.

    Welcome to the forum here and hope we can help you as you begin your journey.

    -Craig

    Thanks Craig, we are in
    Thanks Craig, we are in Kansas...close to Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka...all within reasonable driving distance....
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    RickMurtagh said:

    Journey
    I am unemployed and also on Cobra, but hopefully I am near the end (of the expensive part) of my cancer journey and have a bit more time for Cobra than you.
    I hope you find some treatment facility that you are comfortable with and that they have better Mother standards than CTCA.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #7
    RickMurtagh said:

    Journey
    I am unemployed and also on Cobra, but hopefully I am near the end (of the expensive part) of my cancer journey and have a bit more time for Cobra than you.
    I hope you find some treatment facility that you are comfortable with and that they have better Mother standards than CTCA.

    Thanks Sheri and Rick....I
    Thanks Sheri and Rick....I sure wish an extention of the time we could stay on COBRA would have been part of the stimulus...approve it for everyone for 36mo instead of just the few who meet the requirements.....Ive looked and looked and don't see any options...won't qualify for disability, income just over the mark for medicaid...I thought individual ins was going to be high before this diagnosis...now I can't even imagine what they'll be...if he will even be covered..not sure I understand the rules on pre-existing conditions.
    I hate that on top of everything else that is going through our minds, my DH hears me on the phone or sees me searching the internet trying to make sure he's covered. I keep hearing from people that "you have to be treated"...I think what they are not understanding is- that's not the case if your issue is not an emergency.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #8
    okthen said:

    Thanks Sheri and Rick....I
    Thanks Sheri and Rick....I sure wish an extention of the time we could stay on COBRA would have been part of the stimulus...approve it for everyone for 36mo instead of just the few who meet the requirements.....Ive looked and looked and don't see any options...won't qualify for disability, income just over the mark for medicaid...I thought individual ins was going to be high before this diagnosis...now I can't even imagine what they'll be...if he will even be covered..not sure I understand the rules on pre-existing conditions.
    I hate that on top of everything else that is going through our minds, my DH hears me on the phone or sees me searching the internet trying to make sure he's covered. I keep hearing from people that "you have to be treated"...I think what they are not understanding is- that's not the case if your issue is not an emergency.

    extended COBRA
    Hi,

    Just wondering what state you live in. I live in California and am currently on "Cal Cobra". After my 18 months of federal COBRA expired, I was eligible for an additional 18 months of it under the state of California "CalCOBRA" guidelines. I believe everyone in California is eligible for this. I had naively thought it was this way in every state. It's more expensive than what I paid for the first 18 months of COBRA and I am no longer eligible to pay for and continue the vision, dental, and life insurance plans that I got through my employer. This is just the main medical and I pay it directly to the insurance company instead of to my employer, as I did for the first 18 months.

    Hope you find a loophole and can somehow still qualify for it longer. When mine finally does expire, we will use the insurance through my husband's employer, which I am thankful to have. The reason we chose to continue paying the COBRA as long as possible is because it's actually about the same, possibly slightly more expensive to have my family insured through my husband's work & the coverage will not be as good as what I can get now.

    Best wishes to you!

    Lisa
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #9
    lisa42 said:

    extended COBRA
    Hi,

    Just wondering what state you live in. I live in California and am currently on "Cal Cobra". After my 18 months of federal COBRA expired, I was eligible for an additional 18 months of it under the state of California "CalCOBRA" guidelines. I believe everyone in California is eligible for this. I had naively thought it was this way in every state. It's more expensive than what I paid for the first 18 months of COBRA and I am no longer eligible to pay for and continue the vision, dental, and life insurance plans that I got through my employer. This is just the main medical and I pay it directly to the insurance company instead of to my employer, as I did for the first 18 months.

    Hope you find a loophole and can somehow still qualify for it longer. When mine finally does expire, we will use the insurance through my husband's employer, which I am thankful to have. The reason we chose to continue paying the COBRA as long as possible is because it's actually about the same, possibly slightly more expensive to have my family insured through my husband's work & the coverage will not be as good as what I can get now.

    Best wishes to you!

    Lisa

    Hi Lisa...we are are in
    Hi Lisa...we are are in Kansas, dont believe that extension is available to us. Have been all over the state websites re insurance and have never seen a thing regarding it. I have plans to call our insurance commission and see if there is any suggestions. Probably after my DH's 2nd opinion appt. I can't say thank you enough for you all that take the time to post, it really really helps to be able to "talk". (o:
  • damama24
    damama24 Member Posts: 174 Member
    #10
    okthen said:

    Hi Lisa...we are are in
    Hi Lisa...we are are in Kansas, dont believe that extension is available to us. Have been all over the state websites re insurance and have never seen a thing regarding it. I have plans to call our insurance commission and see if there is any suggestions. Probably after my DH's 2nd opinion appt. I can't say thank you enough for you all that take the time to post, it really really helps to be able to "talk". (o:

    okthen
    I also live in Kansas and am currently receiving treatment at the KU Cancer Center. I'm pleased with everything so far. They are even covering my monthly cobra payment as when I lost my job I could no longer afford it. You might contact them and see if they have any programs or resources for people in your situation. I hope you are able to find some options. Blessings to you.
    Deb
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #11
    damama24 said:

    okthen
    I also live in Kansas and am currently receiving treatment at the KU Cancer Center. I'm pleased with everything so far. They are even covering my monthly cobra payment as when I lost my job I could no longer afford it. You might contact them and see if they have any programs or resources for people in your situation. I hope you are able to find some options. Blessings to you.
    Deb

    Thank you Deb! I will
    Thank you Deb! I will remember that...hopefully we will have this taken care of by October...all depends on surgery or TEM... and biopsy results (Doc #1 states initial biopsy showed a non-invasive ca, but have to send growth after removal, see what that says, that will determine if chemo and radiation are needed) But good to know about KU, if they help you with premiums, maybe there is other help for when ours runs out. Wishing you the best!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
    So Very Sorry
    So very sorry that you have had such a terrible experience with them. Their ads seem like that is the place you would want to go, but like others have said you need to be careful. Sorry to hear about your Cobra too. I've never been on it so can't give you any info. If radiation and/or chemo needs to be given hopefully you can get most of it accomplished before your insurance ends. Hoping that all goes well with the doctors.

    Kim
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #13
    What stage is he?

    What stage is he?
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #14
    herdizziness said:

    What stage is he?

    What stage is he?

    All the Doc said was "very
    All the Doc said was "very early" He did the sonogram and showed us where it "might" be dipping into the wall, and said the nodes were clean but that the sono machine is 50/50 on the nodes,,,we were so happy to hear early that I never asked why he really wasn't sounding definate...maybe just the way he talks. The Doc #2 will have the sono results when he sees us Wed. We are prepared to aask more ?'s this time. Was thankful I taped the visit because we were remembering a good bit of what he said wrong, relistening helped a ton.
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #15
    Sundanceh said:

    How Does CCTA Sleep at Night?
    CCTA panders to people, who are in their most vulnerable state - the newly diagnosed.

    Their commercials pretty much tell you what they are all about - their sappy sermons try to elicit the feelings that if you go with them, all will be right.

    The one that struck me the hardest was a guy who had pancreatic cancer - and he was saved. Well, only 1% of pancreatic cancer patients actually make it, and I doubt it was that guy. If Patrick Swayze did not make it, I'm sure this guy would not either. It's infuriating how misleading they are - and how they take advantage of people's emotions.

    Yes, they are a sales organization and "for profit" services are the key to keeping their doors open.

    I talked with them a couple of years ago and was given the usual song and dance routine. When I asked if they accepted a team approach and would work with my doctors here, they flatly refused and said, "since we are putting up your lodging and travel expenses, we do not consult outside of our establishment.

    At that point, I politely hung up and put these people in my rear view mirror.

    A regular cancer center or an NCI facility, or a good teaching hospital will still be able to adminster the same types of chemo and you will fare just as well looking into those.

    Sorry about your bad experience with them - they talk a good game, but when the rubber hits the road, they are 100% all about the Benjamins.

    I encourage you to see what your area has to offer - if you can tell us what state you live in, many members here can give you recommendations on the hospitals they have used, with terrific success.

    Thanks for your story - you may have saved someone else from having to put up with you just had to.

    Welcome to the forum here and hope we can help you as you begin your journey.

    -Craig

    You said it all
    You said it all.

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