Has anyone had issues with their insurance?
Just wondering what kind of issues, if any, one might expect from insurance companies when it comes to multiple testing and treatment platforms.
Hi - I live in Ohio and have Anthem/Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield (why so many names?!) through my employer. I’ve had the same plan for many years.
I’ve had zero issues with insurance over the years in general, and with respect to my PCa treatment specifically.
Since 2010, between my wife and I, we’ve had a dermatomyositis diagnosis, a major stroke, a heart attack (with three surgical heart procedures), and now cancer, along with a myriad of other things. Except for a couple of ER visit pushbacks, they’ve covered everything without question.
I’m currently going through pelvic floor physical therapy for post-surgery incontinence, and they covered that, with unlimited visits - the clinic where I’m having that done said it’s not unusual for insurance to deny coverage for it, and virtually unheard of to have unlimited visits.
One funny story - the ED clinic recommended I get a vacuum pump for penis rehabilitation, but warned me insurance would be a bear to deal with and said I should just save myself the aggravation and buy one out-of-pocket.
I called my insurance, they said they covered it 100%, but I had to buy it from one of their approved medical supply stores…and of the approximately 40 I called, none of them carried or could order a pump, so I ended up paying for it on my own, even though it was technically covered.Hi
. So glad the AFib issues got taken care of. My father-in-law was actually directed away from the surgery due to Afib. Also great to hear that you have not had to fight for insurance coverage for your treatment. Thanks for sharing. Best, Richard (Team Member) Hi
- Thanks!
Well, the heart stuff is ongoing. Once they got my heart under control at the hospital, I had to check in with my cardiologist, who prescribed a 30-day heart monitor, echocardiogram, and nuclear stress test (treadmill and imaging).
I passed everything with flying colors (just missed meeting the treadmill requirement for first responders by mere seconds - not bad for a chubby nearly-60yo!), but the imaging picked up on something amiss.
Doc thinks it’s very possibly a false positive, and even told me, “If you tell me you’re sick of hospitals and all that and you just want to forget this, I really wouldn’t fight you on it, but we should do a heart cath to be sure.” - so I’m doing a heart cath in a couple of weeks. 🤷♂️
Hi
. Different insurance companies may have different issues with coverage. When you mention multiple testing, I think of second opinions or tests to clarify a proper diagnosis. As noted in this article from our editorial team on second opinions, many insurance companies will actually require them before covering prostate cancer treatments: https://prostatecancer.net/living/second-opinion. Hopefully more community members will chime in with their experiences. Best, Richard (Team Member) Thanks for the link, Richard. You can check my journey on the post prior to yours. I guess in a couple of weeks we'll see where this journey leads us.
