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Melanoma: Defined as a “Chronic Condition” ?

Forums General Melanoma Community Melanoma: Defined as a “Chronic Condition” ?

  • Post
    Bob B.
    Participant

      Several years ago I received melanoma (also basal cell) excision surgeries at Moores Cancer Center.   Previous to that I received several other melanoma excision surgeries.  All told, I’ve had 6 surgeries for melanoma.  

      As we know, melanoma may return to a different location at any time.   One occurrence is usually followed by more.

      (1)  Is aggressive melanoma considered a “chronic condition” for purposes of State or Federal Insurance coverage (MediCal, MediCare, etc)?                   

      (2)   If so, how long between the appearance of new, non-recurring melanoma tumors does Melanoma continue to be defined as a “chronic condition”?

      Thank you for your help.

      Best wishes,

      Robert James Beadle

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          From everything I've read about melanoma, I don't think it's ever considered a chronic condition at this point in time. I do believe Basal Cell can be considered chronic. I would call someone at state or federal insurance or a broker and ask them directly, they'll have all the chronic conditions that are covered listed in their system.

          jennunicorn
          Participant

            From everything I've read about melanoma, I don't think it's ever considered a chronic condition at this point in time. I do believe Basal Cell can be considered chronic. I would call someone at state or federal insurance or a broker and ask them directly, they'll have all the chronic conditions that are covered listed in their system.

            jennunicorn
            Participant

              From everything I've read about melanoma, I don't think it's ever considered a chronic condition at this point in time. I do believe Basal Cell can be considered chronic. I would call someone at state or federal insurance or a broker and ask them directly, they'll have all the chronic conditions that are covered listed in their system.

              Charlie S
              Participant

                Okay Bob, even though my judgement says no, I'm gonna  bite on your post.

                What is "several years ago" and what  were the specific melanoma and basal cell excision surgeries?

                Also, please expand on what you mean by  "all told, six surgeries for melanoma".

                Truly, I am trying to be kind here, but there is more often than not a lot of confusion about melanoma and I am trying to offer some educated guidance for your consideration.

                About your surgeries, I have had at least six as well.  In my armpit, in my chest, in my lung, in my spine, in my abdomen……..location and return?  Yes.  Never one on my skin I might add…………………….all inside of me. So what about yours?

                No, we do NOT all know that one occurence is usually followed by more.  I would challenge you to provide some empirical evidence to support that assertion.

                Since there is no  medical definition of "agressive" melanoma as opposed to "passive" melanoma relative to  patient clinical staging ; there really is not a answer to your question.

                Now, all in all, since what you are asking is an insurance question and not a medical question, I can tell you this:

                I was first diagnosed Stage 3 in 1987 due to a lump being a hot lymph node. Big surgery.

                Nothing else until 9 years later ………………back again in 1996.  Stage IV.

                I will spare you the rest of it, but as my doctor introduces me " this is charlie and he has suffered from melanoma for just about thirty years now"

                To me, over the years, it has always been a disease of management and not definition, but I can say for me, it has been and is chronic.

                I get your insurance thing, really I do, but here is a news alert……………..melanoma did not get the cancer handbook……………..I would hope it does become a chronic disease as far as being able to manage it and people to live with it,,,,,,,,,,,,,but do not kid yourself that melanoma is just going to go away in the minds of insurance companies.

                And I totally disagree the only Good Legend is a Dead Legend

                You have framed a question for which there is no answer.

                Cheers,

                Charlie S

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                Charlie S
                Participant

                  Okay Bob, even though my judgement says no, I'm gonna  bite on your post.

                  What is "several years ago" and what  were the specific melanoma and basal cell excision surgeries?

                  Also, please expand on what you mean by  "all told, six surgeries for melanoma".

                  Truly, I am trying to be kind here, but there is more often than not a lot of confusion about melanoma and I am trying to offer some educated guidance for your consideration.

                  About your surgeries, I have had at least six as well.  In my armpit, in my chest, in my lung, in my spine, in my abdomen……..location and return?  Yes.  Never one on my skin I might add…………………….all inside of me. So what about yours?

                  No, we do NOT all know that one occurence is usually followed by more.  I would challenge you to provide some empirical evidence to support that assertion.

                  Since there is no  medical definition of "agressive" melanoma as opposed to "passive" melanoma relative to  patient clinical staging ; there really is not a answer to your question.

                  Now, all in all, since what you are asking is an insurance question and not a medical question, I can tell you this:

                  I was first diagnosed Stage 3 in 1987 due to a lump being a hot lymph node. Big surgery.

                  Nothing else until 9 years later ………………back again in 1996.  Stage IV.

                  I will spare you the rest of it, but as my doctor introduces me " this is charlie and he has suffered from melanoma for just about thirty years now"

                  To me, over the years, it has always been a disease of management and not definition, but I can say for me, it has been and is chronic.

                  I get your insurance thing, really I do, but here is a news alert……………..melanoma did not get the cancer handbook……………..I would hope it does become a chronic disease as far as being able to manage it and people to live with it,,,,,,,,,,,,,but do not kid yourself that melanoma is just going to go away in the minds of insurance companies.

                  And I totally disagree the only Good Legend is a Dead Legend

                  You have framed a question for which there is no answer.

                  Cheers,

                  Charlie S

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

                  Charlie S
                  Participant

                    Okay Bob, even though my judgement says no, I'm gonna  bite on your post.

                    What is "several years ago" and what  were the specific melanoma and basal cell excision surgeries?

                    Also, please expand on what you mean by  "all told, six surgeries for melanoma".

                    Truly, I am trying to be kind here, but there is more often than not a lot of confusion about melanoma and I am trying to offer some educated guidance for your consideration.

                    About your surgeries, I have had at least six as well.  In my armpit, in my chest, in my lung, in my spine, in my abdomen……..location and return?  Yes.  Never one on my skin I might add…………………….all inside of me. So what about yours?

                    No, we do NOT all know that one occurence is usually followed by more.  I would challenge you to provide some empirical evidence to support that assertion.

                    Since there is no  medical definition of "agressive" melanoma as opposed to "passive" melanoma relative to  patient clinical staging ; there really is not a answer to your question.

                    Now, all in all, since what you are asking is an insurance question and not a medical question, I can tell you this:

                    I was first diagnosed Stage 3 in 1987 due to a lump being a hot lymph node. Big surgery.

                    Nothing else until 9 years later ………………back again in 1996.  Stage IV.

                    I will spare you the rest of it, but as my doctor introduces me " this is charlie and he has suffered from melanoma for just about thirty years now"

                    To me, over the years, it has always been a disease of management and not definition, but I can say for me, it has been and is chronic.

                    I get your insurance thing, really I do, but here is a news alert……………..melanoma did not get the cancer handbook……………..I would hope it does become a chronic disease as far as being able to manage it and people to live with it,,,,,,,,,,,,,but do not kid yourself that melanoma is just going to go away in the minds of insurance companies.

                    And I totally disagree the only Good Legend is a Dead Legend

                    You have framed a question for which there is no answer.

                    Cheers,

                    Charlie S

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                    _Paul_
                    Participant

                      A as far as I once you know once you have melanoma you always will.

                      – Paul

                        Jamie1960
                        Participant

                          I'm with Paul on this.

                          Though older science, the concept of "field cancerization" was developed in the 1950s and seems consistent with my personal experience of continual atypical nevi, biopsies, and WLE / SLNB. So far, we are holding the line at stage II through proactive detection and treatment.

                          Whether markers of broad genetic mutation, the result of occult micrometastases, or just a few stray mutagenic cells that gain a foothold from time to time, it seems that melanoma wants to remain present once initially detected.

                           

                          Jamie1960
                          Participant

                            A good article which may help to explain why, in the absence of "overt" metastases, the "Energizer Bunny" of melanoma may keep going, despite multiple excisions with otherwise clean margins:

                            https://www.google.com/#q=FISH+assay&*

                            I will request a "FISH" analysis next time.

                          _Paul_
                          Participant

                            A as far as I once you know once you have melanoma you always will.

                            – Paul

                            _Paul_
                            Participant

                              A as far as I once you know once you have melanoma you always will.

                              – Paul

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