Breast Cancer Community

Thanks, Haylen. It would be interesting to see posts, but I would also remind our members to check out the suggestions for help listed in many posts in the "Tips"!! No one should have to face both a cancer diagnosis as well as anything that complicates things even more!!

blessings.
Rachael

Thanks Rachael - here's a direct link to all of the Tips - scroll through to find the ones you need:

Breast Cancer Community Tips

The financial burden is tough. We are self-employed and therefore pay out of pocket for monthly premiums, and the cost goes up every year and the co-insurance and co-pays are going up as well.
I am fighting with Tufts now as they didn't cover my annual mammogram which is supposed to be part of their wellness advice. They want me to pay $500 ouf of pocket for an annual mammogram, on top of everything else! Plus it cost me $1800 co-insurance now for an annual mri.
We can't afford better insurance and are really stuck. It takes away money to do other things. Things that were once covered in full no longer are, even with the cancer diagnosis.
So.... on top of getting this crappy diagnosis, we have to pay precious dollars as well.
I am disappointed that this administration didn't spend more time dealing with health care costs. It sounded like a hot issue in the beginning, but seems to have been dropped on the priority list for things like gas, while horribly expensive, will never compare with the cost of healthcare.
Enough of my ranting. It is one sore topic with me.
~ Jenna

Last year we had struggles with our health insurance provider over some stupid things, like where I was getting my Neulasta shot. But in the big scheme of things, they have been good. My treatments have been more than $500k and I'll probably be a million dollar baby by the time this year is over. My annual out of pocket is $1500 not counting doctor co-pays. In the big scheme of things, we've done ok.

Without a good health insurance plan, we'd be filing bankruptcy.

I feel for anyone who has to struggle excessively with the financial side of this diagnosis.

Michelle

Wow, what can I say to this horrible State of Affairs!!!!!!

I was one of the lucky ones to be on Medicare in May,'05 and dx in Oct, '05. Back in '05 Medicare came thru loud and clear. The Dr's I had accepted what Medicare paid them. Thank Heaven's.

This time around Medicare is only paying 10 cents on the dollar. Outrageous!!!!

Having now been on both sides of the Medical field, I do not see how these Dr's can stay in practice when they have to write-off so much of what Medicare does not pay. I was extremely fortunate to change Onc Dr and he is in a non-profit clinic connected to our local hospital. If I would have stayed with my Old Onc Dr from '05 it would have been bankruptcy time as he is now FOR Profit. In fact, that clinic unloaded all their patients on Medicad (the name of our State's Welfare).

We are also self-employed and pay dearly for our supplement ins. Goes up about every 6 months. And they pay barely anything.

Don't get me started on our Wonderful Health System. It is a very sore subject. Sure makes a person wonder how this is all going to end up as our country is so broke.

Then again you really wonder how inflated these Dr's, tests, procedures and hospital charges are??????

I feel like Michelle, probably by the time I am done with treatments, procedures and tests I could qualify as a Million-dollar baby also. LOL---some babe with hardly any hair and only one boob.

Thanks for letting me vent.
Jan