› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Recommendations for Las Vegas Melanoma Specialist and Information about Disability Insurance
- This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 7 months ago by
JudiAU.
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- September 20, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Hi MPIP peeps,I’m still working on getting all the information about my cousin’s current status. I’ll be posting on his assay panel results, so much information in THAT in terms of what is being expressed/amplified. My two questions for this thread are, and unfortunately they are making him get more blood work for the thyroid, they are caught in the system right now so really need a specialist ASAP:
1) Does anyone have any recommendations for melanoma specialists in Las Vegas? I know Dr. Hamid is about 5 hours away in L.A. and I’m working on an appointment at MD Anderson but they are interested in melanoma specialist close to home, things are not progressing great with general oncologist at this point. i know i can use the finder, just hoping someone has a great recommendation.
2) Disability Insurance – since he is now Stage 4 and got laid off, does anyone have any current information on the steps to follow to begin applying for disability. I believe his insurance runs out on the 30th? What is the best approach to getting this set up and when?
Hugs to everyone!
Jackie
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- September 21, 2019 at 12:26 am
Hey all, nevermind, I used the search function and found multiple answers to both my questions. Am reviewing his genetic testing right now, will be posting soon about that.-
- September 21, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Good Morning.
We live in Las Vegas and my dad has stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
He sees the onco at Comprehensive Cancer Center, there is one doctor that specializes in melanoma at the Sunset location- Dr. Wolfram. My dad has received great care, all doctors and staff are very compassionate and generally care.
We have traveled for second opinions to Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City and the doctors have been fabulous with communicating as Huntsman has more specialists. At the urging of the Vegas onco, my dad will be undergoing surgery to remove his mass that was unsuccessful back in Feb 2019. Surgeons in Cegas did not agree with the risk, but Huntsman surgical onco Dr Hyngstrom is very confident with his ability to remove it.
Long story short, consider Huntsman, flights are $25 dollars each way and have discounts at near by hotels with shuttle services. Huntsman has offered excellent expertise and work well with all concerning local drs.
My email is [email protected]. -
- September 22, 2019 at 4:01 pm
Thank you so much, from everything I’ve read Dr. Wolfram Samlowski is a great doctor. That is the name I sent to my cousin and we are working on that this week, switching over to them immediately if possible.And thanks for the info on Huntsman, not living in that area (and quite honestly having a horrible sense of geography in general) wasn’t even thinking Utah. I remember you posting on your dad’s issues, I’m so glad they think they can get at the mass and remove it. If I remember correctly, he had a rough time earlier this year with a hospital stay. Will be keeping all fingers crossed that your dad’s surgery goes well. You are a wonderful daughter and great advocate for your dad. I am always amazed however, that you can get really big variance between doctors/surgeons opinions on risk and therapeutic recommendations!
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- September 21, 2019 at 12:54 am
Hi Jackie! Hope you and your hubby are feeling good!!?? Just to ad my 4 cents, if he applies for SSDI like i have, when you get him started with a case worker, ask to be considered for what is called “Compassionate Allowance” it will speed things up being stage 4 (and maybe 3) look that up on Social Securitys website….love ya sis! ( read my latest post!!) -
- September 21, 2019 at 1:26 am
Jackie— I think I offered the most recent thread on SSDI, that is what you are applying for. Benefits stem from your personal work record. I thought it would be difficult for many reasons but based on the social worker’s suggestion I applied. I applied online and had a payment within a month. It was actually very fast. Fill it out ASAP because dates matter. There is often various qualifying windows but you want to get in the system sooner rather than later. I have been battling an unrelated brain tumor for the past two and a half years plus I had a stroke blah blah. Tumor is now stable but they found the menanoma. It took me maybe two solid hours online and I have a lot of medical history. For the most part, other people do the verification work. I just hit submit. I think you have to be unable to work for six months as a qualifying period. Insurance coverage was not immediate so you’ll probably need an intermittent plan.After approval comes through, you can also apply for dependent benefits for minor children (did this today) or for a caregiver (spouse).
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- September 21, 2019 at 1:31 am
Also, depending on asset level and income, he may qualify for SSI which is different. Look at both as well as state insurance.If he is eligible to continue his insurance from his employer seriously consider it until he gets something else. At least sign for COBRA. It doesn’t have to be paid right away.
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- September 22, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Thank so much JudiAU, you did author the most recent information I came across and your information is invaluable! you amaze me, and you are pretty tough (stroke blah blah, that made me laugh that you are so offhand about a stroke, you are one tough cookie!). Talk about a fighter! I’m sorry about the brain tumor, I’m sure that is causing a host of medical challenges. I find the insurance and financial stuff much harder to navigate than anything regarding research. It feels like just a big wall to me and I have very little tolerance for bureacracy (not great trait to have in this world!). Your information was priceless and we’ll get started on this this week. I think we will need a plan for the 6 months, but at least we know our end goal. Thank you and wishing you recovery and relief! -
- September 23, 2019 at 2:46 am
Thanks jbronicki
I had a lot of very good, very expensive rehab and mostly I “pass” these days at normal. It was not funny at the time and I had to relearn to walk and use my entire right side. I was pretty happy to hear that I could skip craniotomy for my brain met in lieu of drugs. I was so angry that my husband was not allowing me to be dead. I do not like steroids. 🙂
As you plan the next couple of months, I think you can safely assume that once you pass the disabled time threshold it will be funded, and quickly. I’ve read there is also a two year delay in medical coverage, but I don’t know if there is a “compassionate allowance” speed up feature. The amount is tied to your previous SS# earning record. Look at state options too. Because they backdated my claim to my original brain surgery and that was 2 1/2 year ago I had passed the threshold and was able to receive a years worth of benefits at once. So far I’ve bought a gigantic box of chocolates and some sushi for the kids.
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