Hello 🎀 Beautiful Ladies 🎀💕
Excuse the question but I need to know how you are handling the economic issue. I have insurance but the cost of Copey and what I have to pay are very high I'm getting bills for what the insurance does not cover, for the injections, for the Pet Scan. Please tell me how do you do ??? thank you. This worries me a lot
Where do you live and are you still working? I was getting lots of copays until I changed my insurance coverage. Now I don't get billed for anything! I do pay more for the coverage, but under these conditions it's well worth it! I am retired, on Medicare and supplemental insurance coverage too. It's too stressful to have to worry about all those copays especially when we know that it's ongoing treatments and never ending. Look into a better insurance supplement if you can in your are. I live in Syracuse, New York. Kathy
I live in Houston , I am working only part-time at cafeteria
I live in Corpus Christi texas. I have Obama care and it’s 114 a month. It’s not good coverage and last year seemed more copays than this year. All and all I paid about 3000$ not counting procedures -this was diagnostic and copays to all drs. My maximum was supposed to be around 5500$ . This year it seems less but copay on primary went up. I hope getting on Medicare will be less and a good supplement is needed. I am retired and husband too-no one can prepare for this .
Why don’t you make an appointment with social security to talk about your situation and whether disability and supplemental insurance would be better for you.? You may be eligible for other kinds of help too. Maybe the hospital social worker can help. Drug companies often offer grants to people at certain income levels. It is very hard to have to juggle cancer and all the bills.
I got approved for disability and the other I am waiting a decision -I worry about the Ibrance being covered but right now I’m getting a credit and I don’t know if Medicare will cover and what supplement?
A pharmacy plan that covers Ibrance probably expensive. Not all the pharmacy plans do and some don’t payout much for Ibrance. Right now Express Scripts plan in NJ will cover it after I pay 10k. That’s annually
Thank you 🎀
I agree with the other ladies. Someone from your treatment center should be able to help you whether it's a social worker or the financial services department. There must be someone who can support the financial part of dealing with cancer. One question...is your treatment center in-network?
No sure. Memorial Hermann Hospital
How do you know that ???
You can ask Memorial Hermann Hospital or your insurance company. Can you access your claims online or have you received paper copies from your insurance company? You should be able to see on the claims statement.
In the last two years, my insurance company (United Healhcare Oxford) has denied approval for my PTscans and and refused to pay the claims. Because my cancer center is in-network, I have not had to pay anything for my PTscans. My husband tells me that my cancer is getting paid somehow, but it hasn't been from me.
First find out about disability for yourself. Medicare does not cover ibrance but the company Pfizer has many assistance programs for those who need help paying for ibrance. As long as you have commercial insurance call Pfizer. If on Medicare have to pick up a supplemental plan to cover costs. Hope this helps.
Are you saying if you have the supplemental for medicare it would help cover the cost of Ibrance?
Yes for some secondaries. Through AARP. Please see the other responses for more information. I know if you need help with ibrance costs, Pfizer will help. And there are grants available also.
Usually on my insurance statements it will say how much of a certain bill they paid and how much of the remaining bill I am responsible for. It is never the entire amount that remains after the insurance has paid because most insurances negotiate a lower payment for their patients. If you are paying all the remaining cost it may be that you are out of network. I would call my insurance company and talk to them as well as talking to my oncology practice. My practice here in Oregon has a person whose sole job is to help patients negotiate cost and insurance. They find grants and apply for Phizer copay help. I was so grateful to them when this began. I was too stunned and emotional and in pain to do that for myself. Let us know how you get on with the hone calls. Elaine
Don't know exactly where to begin. Have you checked with Social Security; do you qualify for SS disability? Have you spoken to the social services people at your hospital/doctor's office to see what programs/assistance may be available for you. I'm retired, on Medicare and have Medicare supplement insurance which pays for all medical; I haven't paid a cent. My drug coverage doesn't come close to covering the $11,000/mo. for Ibrance. My hospital's speciality pharmacy has gotten private grant money to cover my co-pays for the last year. Pfizer also has financial assistance for those unable to pay.
I would suggest you talk to the hospital social worker first to see how to proceed to get financial assistance. Have your income tax return for this year or whatever proof of income you can provide.
You automatically qualify for Social Security disability with a MBC/ Stage4 breast cancer diagnosis. You need to file for SSD ASAP! You will get back pay up to a year and also qualify for medicare.
Check with a social worker at your oncologist office because you may qualify for medicaid and they can retroactively pay medical bills 100%.
Good luck and your not alone
Thank you. Next Friday will ask to hospital
I've been to a number of bc conferences and I gotta tell you that it's my impression that the women of Texas are the most organized and pro-active when it comes to bc than the women of any other state in the US! They have patient navigators at many treatment centers. Patient navigators know the system and likely know about financial resources. If you are low income, you may qualify for Medicaid, but that varies alot state to state. If you have worked enough quarters and paid into Social Security, you would qualify for Social Security Disability though there is a waiting period. You might also qualify for Supplemental Security Income, which is income based. It is really a shame that people with serious health issues have to worry about affording treatment! I hope you are able to find the kind of assistance you need!
Hi! Does your centers social worker help find u grants to cover copays? It’s worth asking...I have a grant for my chemo that covers up to 25k a year...and a separate one for my Zoladex for 2k a year...It’s worth asking. I pay about 1500$ out of pocket a year for scans...but my deductible is $4500 a year. If I had to pay that every year I’d be in trouble! I’m only 48 with this disease! Lol! But yes definitely ask at your center if there’s grants available to help with copays...😀
Ok thank you. Your numbers is same that me
You have to ask the oncology nurse navigator at Memorial Herman to help you and referred you to the social worker and They will help you on the other hand go to the social security office so you can apply for disability
Klamato
Can you please share more specific info on your Medicare supplemental insurance? I am retired,too,and have Medicare and plan G supplemental insurance
thru United Health.
I pay 2 payments of $2000+ for Ibrance before the doughnut hole kicks in and then I pay about $600.
a month .
My income bracket is just outside of one that would reduce my copays drastically.My specialty pharmacy gets me some discount that reduces the price!!( we all know it costs 11,000/month.) to what I pay(see above)
Do you or anyone else know of any other assistance programs? I've looked and find none that will help me more.
Thanks for your help!
M
i hope this helps. I didn't use it but I know there are grants because my friend got one and paid for her surgery, meds and everything. God bless you and heal us all in Jesus name, amen! <3
The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) is a group of national organizations that provide financial help to patients. CFAC provides a searchable database of financial resources. CancerCare (800-813-4673) provides limited financial assistance for co-pays, transportation, home care, and child care.
Ibrance intestine issues, anyone got that too?
UK members: have you heard about the assisted dying Bill?
Covid Safe and a much awaited hug
Big decision. Met surgeon today - he wants to do liver resection. Is this recommended or too risky?
Radiation with scans? How often is too often?
