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Newbie questions regarding trials and insurance
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Newbie questions regarding trials and insurance

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newbie questions regarding trials and insurance

  • Post
    • November 24, 2010 at 2:32 am
    naty
    Participant

      I'm just wondering how do you fight insurance to get to major cancer centers such as MD Anderson?  We live in michigan, my father has medicare thru an insurance company here.  And FINALLY after 3 weeks of daily calls to the insurance, his oncologist, and MDA we have a signed contract JUST for a 1 day consult.  Is this typical to have to fight so HARD against the insurance companies?  I was told originally by MDA that we would be there for 3-5 days for a consult, but now we will be there for a day.

      I'm just wondering how do you fight insurance to get to major cancer centers such as MD Anderson?  We live in michigan, my father has medicare thru an insurance company here.  And FINALLY after 3 weeks of daily calls to the insurance, his oncologist, and MDA we have a signed contract JUST for a 1 day consult.  Is this typical to have to fight so HARD against the insurance companies?  I was told originally by MDA that we would be there for 3-5 days for a consult, but now we will be there for a day.

      Sorry I'm trying to learn the ropes and we are new to this "game".  Any information and tips would be helpful!!   dad has stage IV (brain, liver, lung) and just finished brain radiation last monday.  

      So I guess my questions are 

      1.  How to deal with insurance (or is it medicare that is a problem?) or is there an insurance that you may have that was ok with MDA

       

      2.  While at MDA for the consult will they discuss all his possible options in regards to clinical trials he qualifies for or do we need to know what he may qualify for (via clinicaltrials.gov) ?

      3.   I may be adding more! thanks

      Melissa 

       

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    • Replies
        • November 24, 2010 at 2:43 am
        Jackie W
        Participant

          My husband had medicare, but not through an insurance company.  Just plain medicare and supplemental insurance through AARP.  He could go anywhere in the US for treatment or consults.  We did go to MDA.  I would tend to think this is an insurance problem, not a medicare problem.  I would also call medicare to see if the insurance company can do this. I also think the reason they want him there for 3 to 5 days is that MDA likes to have their own scans and any tests.  If there is anything I can answer for you, please feel free to e-mail me.

          I would also add that in the 9 years we went there, we never paid anything for the scans, tests, surgeries, etc.  Medicare and supplemental took care of  it all.

           

          Jackie W

          • November 24, 2010 at 2:43 am
          Jackie W
          Participant

            My husband had medicare, but not through an insurance company.  Just plain medicare and supplemental insurance through AARP.  He could go anywhere in the US for treatment or consults.  We did go to MDA.  I would tend to think this is an insurance problem, not a medicare problem.  I would also call medicare to see if the insurance company can do this. I also think the reason they want him there for 3 to 5 days is that MDA likes to have their own scans and any tests.  If there is anything I can answer for you, please feel free to e-mail me.

            I would also add that in the 9 years we went there, we never paid anything for the scans, tests, surgeries, etc.  Medicare and supplemental took care of  it all.

             

            Jackie W

            • November 24, 2010 at 2:45 am
            Jackie W
            Participant

              I forgot to add, that the travelling expenses, hotels, meals, etc. are not covered by medicare or supplemental insurance.

               

              Jackie W

                • November 24, 2010 at 3:07 am
                naty
                Participant

                  Thanks Jackie.  I'd love to email you (how do I do that? my email is [email protected] )

                  I know we have to pay for the airfare, hotels, etc.  Which is fine and I know there are some resources out there if needed .  It just took us 3 weeks to get an appointment scheduled for him as MDA would not make one until they had a written contract with dad's insurance.   I'm calling the insurance in teh am to at least try to obtain a prior auth for both CT and MRI of abdomen, chest, neck and brain so maybe we can cut out some insurance tape while there.

                  • November 24, 2010 at 3:07 am
                  naty
                  Participant

                    Thanks Jackie.  I'd love to email you (how do I do that? my email is [email protected] )

                    I know we have to pay for the airfare, hotels, etc.  Which is fine and I know there are some resources out there if needed .  It just took us 3 weeks to get an appointment scheduled for him as MDA would not make one until they had a written contract with dad's insurance.   I'm calling the insurance in teh am to at least try to obtain a prior auth for both CT and MRI of abdomen, chest, neck and brain so maybe we can cut out some insurance tape while there.

                  • November 24, 2010 at 2:45 am
                  Jackie W
                  Participant

                    I forgot to add, that the travelling expenses, hotels, meals, etc. are not covered by medicare or supplemental insurance.

                     

                    Jackie W

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