Jeff went into work last week and his entire department was laid off.
His health insurance ended Tuesday.
Jeff is running out of time … he doesn’t have time for his care to be delayed.
Getting LU-177 is proving to be a nightmare due to the insurance companies denying it.
We saw Dr. Kwon today and Jeff is a priority. He’s one of the patients whose case will be reviewed tomorrow in regards to LU-177.
Dr. Kwon: “I don’t want you to die while they’re trying to figure things out.”
Should this whole LU-177 thing not work out, Dr. Kwon wants us to see an oncologist in the cities. He’s just as underwhelmed with Mayo’s oncology department as we are.
In lieu of starting Jeff on a PARP inhibitor, he wants him on immunotherapy, likely Keytruda.
If this happens it won’t disqualify him for LU-177, but instead might buy him some time.
His PSA more than doubled in less than a month … currently 589.
This is all so horrible.
We should know something more concrete by Monday/Tuesday.
In the meantime, Jeff is gonna look into COBRA and apply for medical assistance through the state.
Without insurance I don’t know how he’ll get established with a new oncologist much less receive care and/or if we get the go ahead on LU-177, no way they’ll move forward with it.
This can’t be happening. ☹️
~ Stephanie
#teamjeffgallagher
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He qualifies for a host of things, it’s a matter of submitting applications and then waiting for approval.
I’m breathing a little easier now …
We got his application submitted for MNCare yesterday.
I’m going to find out if there’s a way to expedite processing and if not, we’ll get him on COBRA just to get him by.
Evidently they didn’t send him home with the needed paperwork for COBRA, they’re mailing it. We still don’t know the costs for this, but should be able to manage short term.
Next week we’ll start the more intensive process of applying for disability.
In the meantime Dr. Kwon called and left a message.
He didn’t even mention LU-177, so apparently that’s off the table for now. I’m not sure when we’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, but assume there’s still a problem with insurance companies agreeing to pay.
However, in lieu of traveling to the cities, an oncologist at Mayo has volunteered to administer Keytruda to Jeff.
If all goes as planned, next Friday we’ll meet with the new oncologist, Jeff will have labs, and receive his first round of Keytruda.
Do the disability now....they will fast track you.....might be best to go to ss office....let them reject you asis the norm refile rapido then you will get phone interview....you will have to go on early disability if jeff has more than 2500 00 in assetts...and then wait 2 years for medicair.....if no assetts ssi.......And medicaid now........speaking only from my expierience.....love to both of you ...
You have to have received 2 years of social security disability benefits before you become eligible for Medicare. There is a 6 month waiting period after the disability starts to receive benefits. So, if he is eligible now, he would not be able to obtain Medicare for 2. 5 years (unless he reaches 65 before that).
COBRA can really work well sometimes.. I was lucky enough to get to full retirement age before retiring, but my wife used it till it expired. VA saved my rear end by picking up many of my treatment costs.
Was just speaking of the inhumanity of our healthcare the other day.I am so very sorry this has been added to you guys journey.
Minnesota has a good health care insurance I believe for your situation.
I am on medicare now but when I moved here from Illinois 1 1/2 years ago I got on their insurance. My costs were $1.00 dollar for everything. (office visits, infusions, zytiga, etc.).
I paid nothing into it.
When the form asks for projected income you can claim the amount you anticipate from unemployment and you will still qualify.
Its Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP).
It is associated with UCARE insurance.
As TA said a social worker can be very helpful and of course the hospital has social workers.
My insurance advisor recommended by my son is in Saint Paul and he was a informative nonbiased consultant. I believe he has no fees and is paid by the state to help those in need of consultation. His consults are via video call if desired.
I cannot believe how much you have gone through and now this. I'm so sorry that this has happened. I really hope that you are able to work something out with the social worker. The pressure on you both has been enormous. Take care.
Hello Stephanie, No advice as I don't live in the States but a couple of observations. One, Jeff is very, very fortunate to have you in his corner. Two, To lay off a staff member who is obviously sick has to reach a new low in employee relations. I wonder what effect that is going to have on staff morale and retention. Good luck in your quest to get an affordable treatment.
The oncologist dr Kwon works with in the metro is an intelligent person and an amazing Dr.
Jeff is eligible for Medicaid, because he’s lost his insurance and he is unable to work.
If he doesn’t get insurance immediately, Medicaid goes back 90 days in MN so the bills will be covered. He will not have trouble getting care, so resist the urge to worry about that right now. Help him get to Minneapolis to see Dr Hugec (I assume that is who Kwon is suggesting) if he can’t get LU177 for any reason.
This is too sad to be true. Nobody goes thru what Jeff has, and then loses his health insurance. There has to be a counselor with expertise in your county government for such a case as Jeff’s. I remember saying over a month ago, you guys need a break in here somewhere soon. Many of these companies will have compassionate reserves to cover all costs with this hardship. Do what you can do. So much is now in God’s hands.
Steph, this is something you shouldn’t have to worry about on top of everything else. It is unbelievable. Like you guys need more stress. I pray you find an answer and quickly so you can focus on what is important. My prayers are with you.
Years ago I worked for a large company that went through an elaborate cost cutting exercise that involved all of us employees, then management completely ignored our recommendations and laid off an across-the board percentage of people in all departments, who were selected by management. It became apparent that a lot of the people laid off were older and were more active in using the health plan, so the company was sued and I believe the people who participated in the lawsuit won the case. Probably isn't the case for Jeff though if his whole department was cut. Like others have already said, there surely are several options to explore for financial help, including possibly the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plans which can help pay for your premiums.
I hope you can quickly find workable medical insurance so that Jeff can concentrate on getting better. 😧
My heartfelt sympathy to the patient and wife for this terrible situation. However it nothing new in the US to lay off people with large health insurance usage. I worked in a company that reclassified all employees. So pretty much everyone was recassified to one grade higher. They left three employees they wanted to get rid of at their original classification, then they ended that classification, they lost their jobs and healthcare, and had pre existing health conditions so good luck back then. This is how the company covered it's tracks.
I also heard a conversation once of a business owner who was talking to a group of fellow athletes. He said a child of one of his employees had a serious health condition, and because of it the company's health care was costing another $250,000 dollars per year. Do to The condition this was a permanent situation. The group wasn't sympathetic to the employee or the child, and joked it looked like it was time to throw them back into the unemployment pool. That's the US for you.
Of course in the US you have many what are called "right to work states". In a right to work state you essentially have no rights as a employee and the company has no legal obligation towards you. You can be let go at any time for no reason. So get sick, or a family member gets sick and if the company thinks your costing it money, you can get shown the door.
I always had a fear during most of my working life "what if"?I was firmly behind Obama care (American Health Care Act).
In 2016 when the company I was with for 23 years shut its doors and the most logical thing was for me to start a "from home business" Obama care was a life saver. I was still under Obama care when my PCa diagnosis came 3 years later.
Your comments above reminds me of the need for Obama care and or other life lines.
As I understand it they are obligated to allow himInsurance viaCOBRA. I think it’s 18 months. There will be costs and deadlines to sign up by. I wouldn’t count non Medicare etc until you know it’s there.
Agree. COBRA is federally mandated to continue the same health insurance coverages as the employers policy for 18 months without interruption. Think it was not just an oversight that they did not give him application papers and instructions upon exit. Trying to cheat him and save the expenses more likely. Makes me angry and should be reported. 🤨🙏🙏💕💕
I doubt the reason is the nefarious . The way I understand cobra works is the monthly payment that the former employee has to pay is equal to the companies pro rata cost of that insurance for the former employee . So it’s a break even for them.
Very true but he can not afford a gap in coverage nor an existing treating doctor not accepting his new insurance. Pay the Cobra monthly until he can confirm then new insurance is in place and his existing providers will accept it. Although as you say Cobra can be expensive, lack of a policy or providers that won’t accept a new policy can be far more expensive.
I am not one to be commenting. I know very little about the ins and outs.I just know I had no insurance at all for a little over a year when I got into the Obama care insurance.
That was one of the key important points of the obama care plan and in my circumstance it was a life saver.
However does need something to cover any current/immediate care.
Luckily form what Stephanie replied here it looks like they are going to get into the Minnesota Health aid program asap which saved me when I moved here a year and a half ago.
My Dr. has been using Keytruda as a component of his immuno therapy for 7+ years. You might want to simply search and inquire as to a possible treatment protocol for Jeff. My immuno injection also included Opdivo + Yervoy back in 2015.
Sounds like you've gotten some very good advice, and you are in the best and most compassionate hands with Dr.Kwon, we travel all the way from Tampa Bay Fl. to see him. One thing I see that no one has suggested as a bridge until you get proper insurance in place is a Gofund me or appeal page on Social media. I know many that have come up with quite a bit of help upwards of 100K in a short period of time. Again just a thought in the back of my Chemo riddled brain. We'll be making our second trip to see Dr.Kwon this June, as I am running out of options myself.
Wishing you G-d's Speed on all the roads you have to travel on your future journey..
Jeff qualifies for a host of things, it’s a matter of submitting applications and then waiting for approval.
I’m breathing a little easier now …
We got his application submitted for MNCare yesterday.
I’m going to find out if there’s a way to expedite processing and if not, we’ll get him on COBRA just to get him by.
Evidently they didn’t send him home with the needed paperwork for COBRA, they’re mailing it. We still don’t know the costs for this, but should be able to manage short term.
Next week we’ll start the more intensive process of applying for disability.
In the meantime Dr. Kwon called and left a message.
He didn’t even mention LU-177, so apparently that’s off the table for now. I’m not sure when we’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, but assume there’s still a problem with insurance companies agreeing to pay.
However, in lieu of traveling to the cities, an oncologist at Mayo has volunteered to administer Keytruda to Jeff.
If all goes as planned, next Friday we’ll meet with the new oncologist, Jeff will have labs, and receive his first round of Keytruda.
Apply for social security disability ASAP. They have special process for people with stage IV cancer. He should qualify in about 2 weeks. Call the social administration directly and let them know. They worked very well for me.
I'm blown away and feel like I've been kicked in the chest just reading about this new cliff you two have been faced with!
It's crazy what you two have endured and for all the spectators that you're sharing your journey with, I can't but imagine, we are all humbled by it. Is frustrating to sit on the sideline and watch as those around us travel down these bumpy roads and who are then asked to endure tortuous hardships when there's so much more to life, that we should be afforded.
I pray you two are able to find calm seas and get past this storm. Lots of thoughts and prayers heading your way!
If you tell me what company it is that did this, then conveniently “forgot” to provide COBRA information, I would write to the CEO in outrage, because it is outrageous.
You definitely putting the love and footwork for his rightful entitlement.I would go straight to social security administration office because part work be sent tends to be little lethargic I would face to face with case worker or representative and plead you gif given rights under your dire medical situation which needs priority and attention.Proud of your commitment to stand by him
— apparently there are at least anecdotes of folks raising tens of thousands for medical treatments. If you do it, let this forum know and I’m sure many of us will contribute.
I wish we could just move you here to BC, but in lieu of that, please follow the advice from the guys on the site and fill out forms and appeal and do everything to get Jeff the treatments. He is so lucky to have you in his corner. Also ,what a scummy thing for his employer to do at this stage in his life.
So true. BTW I hope you two are doing better. It sounds like you have the MNcare coming along.
Cobra. Offer it yes. But not mandatory to get on it and it is very expensive.
In 1997 my wife had a ongoing medical condition and we had to do Cobra for about a year. It affected us financially for many years onward. Basically went into heavy debt so that we could live.
Obama care or if we had lived in Minnesota then the MNcare would have been way better.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jeff being laid off. What a cruel blow. Jeff and you Stephanie are an inspiration to us all. Your fortitude is incredible.
I’m glad that pathways to continued healthcare access are opening up for you; the past few days must have been so scary for you both. It is beyond my imagination.
I continue to keep both of you in my thoughts.
I can identify with the fear being laid off suddenly induces, it happened to me mere months before I was diagnosed. It also can hit your sense of self worth, sometimes badly. It is a grieving process and it takes time to adjust to the new reality. Please be prepared for a few emotionally bumpy moments as a result of the lay off, which can come from nowhere! Sorry to add to your list of woes, life is unfair.
Having lived in Minnesota for most of my life I have confidence that with your help your Jeff will get his treatments and find coverage. The care there is excellent and you are his greatest asset. I am sorry for what you are both going through at your young ages.
This is horrible and such is our no-existent safety net for medical care. There is no automatic switching over, but plenty of red tape. I am not sure if he might be able to get onto a healthcare exchange from the Affordable Care Act. The most seamless but expensive solution is COBRA but could be a short-term solution to bridge the gap to something long lasting.
Never lose hope. Keep investigating, asking questions about payment assistance, etc. Meanwhile, do all that you can to enjoy your time together, even if in silence as moral support.
Our healthcare insurance should not be tied to employment and if it is, it should provide an immediate rollover into to an alternate system for those in immediate need.
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Why is Jevtana used as one of the last options for the cancer?
