Hospital

[Maludagui]

Hello pretty ladies I hope you are well. I am looking for recommendations. I am in Houston. At the time of initial diagnosis, I arrived at Hermann Memorial Hospital. Almost two years have passed since I realized that this hospital has excessive costs and a few alternatives for care. I must mention that my doctor is wonderful but the hospital is not. I am looking for alternatives to change hospitals. Have any of you had experience changing hospitals ???? regards

[Arisgram]

I see Dr. Bora Lim at MD Anderson. She's wonderful. I haven't noticed it being excessively expensive.

Best of luck. Andi

[Canchondo in reply to Arisgram]

I have seen Dr. Moscol. All the doctors at the MD Anderson in the Woodlands are very experienced. Good luck

[Red71]

I’m not an expert in this subject, but a lot of what you pay depends on your insurance and what they are willing to pay. Are you on Medicare, do you have a supplement to that? Your better bet may be to change your insurance so you pay a bit more for that and less at the doctor or hospital. I’m sure someone can comment more depending on what kind of insurance you have.

And then, It’s not hospitals that you need to change, it’s your oncologist! Mine doesn’t practice at a hospital, but at a cancer center. Changing practices means finding someone who is willing to take a new patient. If you were diagnosed at Herman Memorial they probably put you into their cancer program. I found my oncologist by word of mouth, woman networking with each other, but based on how he communicated and how caring he was. I had no idea about the billing of that practice but it turns out that I have excellent insurance so everything except my drugs are totally covered, and they are fairly well covered.

So my advice would be to start looking at your insurance to see if you are eligible to change to something that might cost slightly more but Cover more of your expenses. You can change during the open period which is in the beginning of the year...I think. I’d have to look up those dates.

Elaine

[klhowe]

Oncology Social Workers at either your doctor's office or the hospital are a good resource. The know about insurances and coverage.

[hdhonda]

Sorry that you are not happy with your hospital. In 2000 I went to MD Anderson and a local oncologist. In 2017 when I was diagnosed with MBC I started at Moffitt Cancer Center and a local oncologist. The reason I changed Moffitt is closer and not so much trouble.

Please be sure that your new insurance will cover pre-existing conditions. President Trump keeps saying he is going at get rid ACA so I would be careful, since we don't know what is in his plan. Best of luck Blessings, Hannah

[Maludagui in reply to hdhonda]

Thanks 🙏

[WordNerdSharron]

There is nothing wrong with looking for a new hospital, cancer care center, or oncologist. It's your life and your wellbeing at stake here. Do check your insurance coverage. If you have a care navigator through your insurance, talk with them.

I just went for a second opinion at MD Anderson/Cooper, and it's the best thing I've done since diagnosis. It was still in my network even though I live in another state. I wanted an integrative oncologist, and Dr. Mehta at Cooper is excellent. I have a good practice where I live, and I like my regular oncologist, so I'm continuing my monthly care there, and coordinating everything through Cooper because they have a lot more resources, access to clinical trials, etc.

I wish you the best of results as you navigate your care. Having trust and a positive feeling about your providers and facilities is so important. Peace, Sharron