Cancer and Money

If you are receiving Medicare and you get cancer, you should have minimal financial problems getting cancer treatment. Much depends on what provider you use and where you get treatment---even if you have Medicare.
I did extensive research in last few months before I was treated for prostate cancer via cryosurgery.
I contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America and I was told they do not accept medicare patients. I sent emails to get an explanation and received no response.
I contacted a Cancer guru Doctor in New York City and was advised that his office wanted his bill paid upfront and then I could submit his bill to Medicare after treatment. I do not have deep pockets and his money- first attitude was an instant turnoff.
I communicated with a clinic near Toronto that was specializing in sound wave technology to fight prostate cancer but Medicare would not cover a medical vendor outside the country. The clinic wanted about $20,000 or so up front.
It is true that your research will suggest that the more procedures the Dr you select has done, the more successful the treatment.
However your same research will usually locate another Doctor who might not be a guru, but who has done enough of your chosen procedure to give you a good result. You should also be contacting treated patients for their results with the chosen Doctor. I talked to treated patients personally--via phone and via internet. I also joined prostate cancer support groups to talk to other treated patients.
As I am 75 years old, I have both medicare and medicare supplement insurance and my co-pay for my treatment was $25.00. My monthly cost for medicare supplement for 2007 is zero and I pay same $93.50 a month as other medicare customers. I was not told where I had to go as long as the Dr and Hospital accepted my Medicare which also provides me with Medicare supplement insurance.
Would you get anything extra from the so-called "guru" centers of excellence or Doctors? I doubt it. In fact you will probably will discover that the Doctors that work in these "centers" have their own practice and would treat you elsewhere---if you request same.
In other words, you do not have to bankrupt yourself to get quality tratment for your Cancer.

Thank you for the interesting and timely comments on the cost of being sick.  Our system of medical delivery is a national disgrace.  The American people have been lied to and abused by the federal government, the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical flim flam men (and women). The pill pushers and insurers make BILLIONS OF DOLLARS in profits every year.  That is wrong.

It is time for all of us to stand up and tell our elected officials that we need a complete change in medical delivery.  Until we do that, individuals, employers and groups will continue to be victimized every day. While many of us were able to have our cancer treated by selected professionals, others were left to pay exorbitant fees or needed to be supported by others to receive substandard care. That just isn't fair.

At this time and in the recent past, our Federal officials (read Congress and President) have tried to dump the cost of medical care on employers or retirees.  WRONG...

We need a National single payer plan that will ensure that every man, woman and child has equal access to medical care at a fair price.  What we really need is an improved Medicare for all Americans.  This is an international forum, and others around the world (who post here) have medical care for everyone.  We need it here too.

As a cancer survivor, I have little patience with half way medical coverage solutions   We need major changes.

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