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Posted 7/31/2008 11:07 AM (GMT -6)
I saw an MSNBC report yesterday documenting correspondent George Lewis's prostate therapy using proton beam therapy at Loma Linda University.

I checked yesterday and there are only a handful of these proton beam therapy facilities in the country and somewhere I believe I saw the treatment costs $159,000! Can that be right?

I was wondering what this learned group has to say about the treatment (the good and bad) and what feedback anyone has about the cost.

Thanks

Jack

 

Posted 7/31/2008 1:07 PM (GMT -6)

Jack,

I had my Proton beam treatment almost 3 years ago and am doing well. Lots of info on www.protonbob.com. Many testimonials on the site. There is lots of info on this site from Dave and maybe a dozen of us. It is expensive. I had medicare and supplimental insurance and it was paid for. They may bill that much , but I'm sure they don't get that from Insurance Co's. Upside is fewer side effects. downside is most facilities have long waiting lists as Proton Beam Therapy is being discovered. Funny, it's been around for more than 17 years.

Ken

Posted 7/31/2008 5:09 PM (GMT -6)
I think the 159K is probably in the ballpark as far as total cost. I have added up all my statements and it came to about 144K however they settled for "reasonable and customary charges" of much less than that. My total cost was ZERO, except for out-of-pocket expenses for living in So. Cal. for 2 and 1/2 months. I also know that Medicare reimburses about 22K for the cost of treatment and we were quoted about 37K if we had to pay ourselves. The conclusion would be that the cost is either overstated or highly subsidized.

As far as the treatment itself I have absolutely nothing bad to say at all. Any issues I had occurred during treatment, abated soon after completion and the numbers as seen in my signature, speak for themselves.
Posted 7/31/2008 5:15 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks for the information.

When you talk about a wait at Loma Linda or other centers how long a wait do you mean? A month a year...?

Thanks

Jack

Posted 7/31/2008 7:55 PM (GMT -6)
Jack

I just graduated from Jacksonville last week.

It is my understanding that most of the proton centers are getting backed up so if you decide give them a call.

Combo treatment of Hormone therapy, 25 IMRT and 17 Proton.

The cost is what the others mentioned.

My story is on my website

Richard
Posted 7/31/2008 9:36 PM (GMT -6)
Last In heard Loma Linda was backed up for 6 months, But one of the Gantrys is down for modernization and it should help a lot when it's up again.

Jack Z said...

Thanks for the information.

When you talk about a wait at Loma Linda or other centers how long a wait do you mean? A month a year...?

Thanks

Jack


Posted 8/1/2008 1:51 PM (GMT -6)

Wow six months

I know that Indiana, Florida and Mass General have Proton Centers. Is their wait the same? And can someone wait that long with cancer?

Jack

Posted 8/1/2008 2:04 PM (GMT -6)
I'm sure they are all different. You need to check with them individually. Depends on the facility and how many they can handle in a day.Loma Linda is very popular as they have the long term experience. They were doing around 150 a day when I was there.

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