Cancer Treatment Centers Of America?

evon
evon Member Posts: 24
edited March 2014 in Brain Cancer #1
Has anyone out there been to this place?Should I believe there better then the rest?

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    CTCA
    Just read some very NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THIS PLACE
  • evon
    evon Member Posts: 24
    #3
    MAJW said:

    CTCA
    Just read some very NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THIS PLACE

    What did you read?

    What did you read?
  • katherine71
    katherine71 Member Posts: 9
    #4
    evon said:

    What did you read?

    What did you read?

    cancer centers of America
    I had an appointment at CCA in Philly for a 2nd opinion, but I cancelled it. My surgeon called me & begged me not to go there. He said he just has a bad feeling about them. They are too commercial. And they are so expensive! I had my schedule with them for a 3 day visit. I was not even going to see a surgeon. Mostly chaplin, nutritionist, etc. My surgeon said he would refer me anywhere but there. CCA is more holistic than medical. That is my experience with them.
  • 3Mana
    3Mana Member Posts: 811
    #5
    evon said:

    What did you read?

    What did you read?

    Not good
    I have heard that they give people false hope! I would check into it more before you consider going there. "Carole'
  • evon
    evon Member Posts: 24
    #6
    3Mana said:

    Not good
    I have heard that they give people false hope! I would check into it more before you consider going there. "Carole'

    Ive decided against it,I
    Ive decided against it,I felt like they ere seeling me something!This is the love of my lifes life were talking about here not girl scout cookies!
  • katherine71
    katherine71 Member Posts: 9
    #7
    evon said:

    Ive decided against it,I
    Ive decided against it,I felt like they ere seeling me something!This is the love of my lifes life were talking about here not girl scout cookies!

    Cancer Centers Of America
    When I made an appointment with them, I was grasping for straws. Looking for another treatment for my cancer that did not involve amputation of 1/2 of my foot. They talk a good talk. 10 months after my surgery, I am glad that my surgeon called me that day to stop me from making a big mistake.
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #8
    CTCA
    I have had nothing but bad experiences with CTCA. I live in Philadelphia and the only place to treat my tumors was the location in Oklahoma City.

    I couldn't even get past the "gate keeper" on the phone whose only interest was in what type of insurance I had. When I explained that my husband's employer was self-insured (they only hired the insurance company to oversee the paperwork), that I also had Medicare and my husband's family was financially secure, their response was: "I'm sorry, we can't help you. We don't accept that type of insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield). I would suggest that you tell your husband to find another job with different insurance and then maybe we can help you"!!! I was appalled to say the least that all they cared about was the money. I told them that we could write them a check for $5000 immediately just to get me out there and be seen and they were quite adamant that they didn't take our insurance and they didn't care about Medicare or family ability to pay. They were only interested in the insurance.

    That does not speak well of CTCA, in my honest opinion. There are too many other great facilities out there, run by some of the best doctors in the world, that don't give one hoot about it.
  • fls
    fls Member Posts: 1
    #9
    CTCA Patient
    I'm certainly unable to speak to other peoples experiences but I can factually tell you about my experience. After my initial diagnosis in Jan. 2010, I sought direction and help from others first (Mary Bird Perkins in Louisiana and M.D. Anderson in Texas). After much testing and consultations, I was still not comfortable with treatment plans consisting ONLY of chemical poisons and radiation. I wanted a treatment plan that included tangible supports for my entire body, and a "team" of professionals to talk to (not simply one Dr.). Like many, I was suspicious about advertizements of CTCA. I can absolutely verify they are in fact what they advertize. I have never received treatment at "any" medical facility run with such precision and professionalism, yet remain patient focused simultaneously. What a blessing they have been in my life! Go to the website, review the information and "believe" what you read. Make the phone call - and by all means go visit! It is a real place offering real hope and healing for such a dreadful illness. I'd be happy to elaborate more in a private e-mail if your interested.
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #10
    fls said:

    CTCA Patient
    I'm certainly unable to speak to other peoples experiences but I can factually tell you about my experience. After my initial diagnosis in Jan. 2010, I sought direction and help from others first (Mary Bird Perkins in Louisiana and M.D. Anderson in Texas). After much testing and consultations, I was still not comfortable with treatment plans consisting ONLY of chemical poisons and radiation. I wanted a treatment plan that included tangible supports for my entire body, and a "team" of professionals to talk to (not simply one Dr.). Like many, I was suspicious about advertizements of CTCA. I can absolutely verify they are in fact what they advertize. I have never received treatment at "any" medical facility run with such precision and professionalism, yet remain patient focused simultaneously. What a blessing they have been in my life! Go to the website, review the information and "believe" what you read. Make the phone call - and by all means go visit! It is a real place offering real hope and healing for such a dreadful illness. I'd be happy to elaborate more in a private e-mail if your interested.

    CTCA
    I'm glad that your experience has been a positive one and you are getting the care and treatment you need and deserve.

    After the multiple rejections at CTCA due to the "wrong" insurance, we have found a great facility in Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia with some of the best doctors available. We have also been Blessed in that these doctors "get it" when we say we are treating not just the cancer, but the entire body. I have a nutrionist who is working with all the specialists I have and I have access to physical and rehabilitation therapists as needed.

    Even better, is that we only live 15 minutes from downtown Philly and don't have the added expense of airline travel, hotels, meals, gas, etc.

    I'm sure that CTCA is good for those that are lucky enough to get in and I am glad there is such a facility that does more than just treat the basic cancer and includes a full regimen for body, spirit and cancer.

    That said, however, it does not detract from the negative experiences that I and others like me have faced.
  • Sherrill
    Sherrill Member Posts: 4
    #11
    Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)
    I have been to CTCA and I am alive and thriving because of them. If you want a true healing and learn how to be healthy during and after your cancer, then CTCA is the right place for you.

    I am an eight year breast cancer survivor. I searched for a place in Michigan that would treat not only my cancer but the mind-body and spirit connection to healing. No one does what CTCA does in helping cancer patients. A lot of places are saying they do the same but believe me, they do not.

    CTCA has technology, equipment and a staff that is unmatched anywhere in America except at other CTCA hospitals. It's a trip that will save your life and change the lives of those around you for the better.

    I still return every year for my annual check-up during "Celebrate Life" week. I would never trust anyone to tell me I am still cancer-free except for my team at CTCA.

    Call CTCA at 800-333-CTCA and hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones, like me, who are able to come experience the kind of cancer care you deserve and have been searching for.
  • Sherrill
    Sherrill Member Posts: 4
    #12
    katherine71 said:

    cancer centers of America
    I had an appointment at CCA in Philly for a 2nd opinion, but I cancelled it. My surgeon called me & begged me not to go there. He said he just has a bad feeling about them. They are too commercial. And they are so expensive! I had my schedule with them for a 3 day visit. I was not even going to see a surgeon. Mostly chaplin, nutritionist, etc. My surgeon said he would refer me anywhere but there. CCA is more holistic than medical. That is my experience with them.

    Not True!
    I'm sorry your surgeon has not guided you correctly. I am a survivor of eight years thanks to CTCA. None of the things he told you are true! It's a disgrace that a so-called surgeon would steer a cancer patient away from a place he knows nothing about. Makes me wonder about his true motives.
    You are confused about what your scheduled appointment was going to be about also. Everyone goes through the same process for their evaluation. You see your doctors, nutritionist and naturopath during this evaluation process. CTCA also tries not to repeat any tests you've already had done and goes to great length to get those reports to use in their evaluation process.
    CTCA is definetly not "more holistic than medical". You really cannot comment on such things since you did not go and have the great CTCA experience that I and thousdands of others have had there.
    CTCA has the statics that support their efforts at www.cancercenters.com. They also have former and current patients that openly speak to people wanting to know about CTCA through Patient-to-Patient Network. No other facility practices this. There best marketing comes from their patients who have "been there and done that". This alone speaks volumns about CTCA.
  • Sherrill
    Sherrill Member Posts: 4
    #13
    MAJW said:

    CTCA
    Just read some very NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THIS PLACE

    Lies
    Most likely from other facilites that aren't as successful as CTCA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America).
    Go to www.cancercenters.com and read the statics that support the amazing things that are being done for cancer patients at CTCA.
    I am an eight year cancer survivor from CTCA and have nothing but great things to say about CTCA.
  • Sherrill
    Sherrill Member Posts: 4
    #14
    3Mana said:

    Not good
    I have heard that they give people false hope! I would check into it more before you consider going there. "Carole'

    Not False HOPE
    Not at all! They are the ones who tell you the truth about how to approach your cancer and will go to whatever lenghhs to cure it.
    People really shouldn't talk about something which they know nothing about.
    The only people I've heard say false things about CTCA are people who are losing business to CTCA.
    Go to www.cancercenters.com and get the statics on the cure rates for yourself.
  • carrief
    carrief Member Posts: 2
    #15
    ctca
    i've been a patient for almost four years. They are great.
  • carrief
    carrief Member Posts: 2
    #16
    katherine71 said:

    cancer centers of America
    I had an appointment at CCA in Philly for a 2nd opinion, but I cancelled it. My surgeon called me & begged me not to go there. He said he just has a bad feeling about them. They are too commercial. And they are so expensive! I had my schedule with them for a 3 day visit. I was not even going to see a surgeon. Mostly chaplin, nutritionist, etc. My surgeon said he would refer me anywhere but there. CCA is more holistic than medical. That is my experience with them.

    ctca
    They are very medical as well. They provide holistic tools to their patience as well and there is no charge for seeing the nutritionist or naturopath.

    Theres nothing "scam" about CTCA. I've been going for nearly four years. I actually went to the one in Philly before transferring to Zion, Illinois

    I wish you the best of luck with your treatment decisions.
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #17
    carrief said:

    ctca
    They are very medical as well. They provide holistic tools to their patience as well and there is no charge for seeing the nutritionist or naturopath.

    Theres nothing "scam" about CTCA. I've been going for nearly four years. I actually went to the one in Philly before transferring to Zion, Illinois

    I wish you the best of luck with your treatment decisions.

    Nothing Scam About CTCA
    While it is true that a few lucky people are able to get into CTCA, they are all about the money.

    I am not the only person who has been denied because they don't like my insurance. We offered not only my husband's insurance, but my Medicare and explained that we had the finanacial means to pay whatever the insurance did not cover. They were not interested. They were only interested in the insurance payment. They were quite clear on that matter, not once, but on 2 separate occasions when I called and tried to be seen. They were enthusiastic about helping me and said they could do a lot for me, until they started asking questions about my ability to pay. Once I told them we had BC/BS, they lost all interest. Started saying how sorry they were that they would be unable to help me and even told me to tell my husband to find a new job with a different insurance plan and then "we will be happy to discuss with you a progrssive treatment plan". When I asked to speak to the Director of Financial Services (Billing) I was told in no uncertain terms that I did not "qualify" for treatment at CTCA and they thanked me for calling and hung up. I called during the day, so I wasn't speaking to a voice paid to answer the phones in the evening.

    We received this exact same treatment, not once, but twice. We have since found that we are not the only ones receiving this kind of treatment because they don't like our insurance.

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