RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER ,PRE EXISTING INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY

[CASEY 2]

I HAVE NO MONEY , I HAVE INSURANCE HOWEVER THERE IS A PRE EXIXTING CONDITIONING I HAVE CONTACTED THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY .  I HAVE A NEW JOB AND I FEEL LIKE I CANNOT GO ON I AM SO OVERWHELMED WITH EVERYTHING.

[missx914]

In regards to your question about moving insurance from NY to FL, as long as you have been continuosly covered by insurance from here to there or if your lapse in coverage has been less than 60 days, the insurance company is required to cover you. But be aware that some large companies will not have actual insurance coverage. They are called self-insured and they are not required to follow this regulation. Before moving I would suggest you contact the FL Department of Insurance to determine exactly what type of insurance the company provides. http://www.fldfs.com/Consumers/  Good luck!

[Russellahill]

I'd like to direct to huknows that I am interested in when the forum is up and running...

To everyone else, I would love to know what resources are open to those that can not afford health coverage, but actually have worked their entire lives and keep themselves above poverty, but below the line where you can actually aford stuff...  I haven't found a list of resources for those who are unable to afford to have cancer.  Sounds kind of silly to me, "I can't afford cancer" but it is true in I'm sure LOTS of cases...  My family is one of them.

Anyone have any advice or real direction?  Most of the, "go to this site" or "call here" kind of things don't really help unless there is actually help on the other end of whatever they suggest...  real programs, real people that can help...  Reading through countless websites that don't really offer help are endless.

Thank you very much
***@****

[taraspurple]

I have question does any insurance cover pre existing for breast cancer. I am moving from Ny to Florida and I have
United Health Card/Medicaid in Ny and need to have coverage
in florida in June/06. I need to receive chemo.
Please does anyone now of an insurance company or does medicaid
pick up in florida.

clare

[huknows]

Hello
I'm listing  this link  since it might answer some questions about each state that offers free testing and diagnosis for the uninsured.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/cancerch.htm


In 2000 Pres.Clinton signed a bill approving millions of dollars to the medical community by enacting NBCCEDP [NATIONAL BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM]

The program was appreciated by all types of uninsured women - [like myself] whether their situation was based on low income or denial of ins. due to pre-existing conditions... at least they could have checkups and/or medical care if cancer was found.
A woman has to be extremely careful in these programs because they are federally funded and the funds are only allotted to particular states that applied for the funds.

However, this bill literally  caused a "gold rush" by some institutions -and radiologists etc. - all anxious  to get their share of the funds. This resulted in over-recruiting women to have free mammograms-

As in any "freebie"  there are risks involved.
There have been good and bad results- Some women were of course accurately diagnosed and treated. [however, not in my case]  Because the issue of "medical research" was not factored into Clinton's bill- some of these uninsured women were unknowing  participants in clinical trials.   [However, a later bill was enacted enabling women to participate in med/research treatment - I think in 2002]  
I would like very much to reach out to any  woman who was [or is being ] treated by a "free" breast cancer program in  their state.
I will be starting a discussion forum quite soon on the subject of  past and present treatment of uninsured women,  legislation and [elsewhere on web] which may lead to a petition to the government to enact more protection for these uninsured women. If you are interested in joining in such a discussion group - perhaps there is a way to let me know?  

Because this  is not a question to medhelp -- it is a REPLY to a post by an uninsured woman. Therefor I guess the only place to post that you might be interested in the forum - is to REPLY to this message- stating that you would like to know when the forum is available.
We are all sisters - and my sincere hope is for us to be able to talk with each other - not for the purpose of medical advice or help in treatment decisions - but for insight and more  information as to what is available for uninsured women.  

Thank you and God Bless all of you~

[huknows]

Hello
I'm listing  this link  since it might answer some questions about each state that offers free testing and diagnosis for the uninsured.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/cancerch.htm


In 2000 Pres.Clinton signed a bill approving millions of dollars to the medical community by enacting NBCCEDP [NATIONAL BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM]

The program was appreciated by all types of uninsured women - [like myself] whether their situation was based on low income or denial of ins. due to pre-existing conditions... at least they could have checkups and/or medical care if cancer was found.
A woman has to be extremely careful in these programs because they are federally funded and the funds are only allotted to particular states that applied for the funds.

However, this bill literally  caused a "gold rush" by some institutions -and radiologists etc. - all anxious  to get their share of the funds. This resulted in over-recruiting women to have free mammograms-

As in any "freebie"  there are risks involved.
There have been good and bad results- Some women were of course accurately diagnosed and treated. [however, not in my case]  Because the issue of "medical research" was not factored into Clinton's bill- some of these uninsured women were unknowing  participants in clinical trials.   [However, a later bill was enacted enabling women to participate in med/research treatment - I think in 2002]  
I would like very much to reach out to any  woman who was [or is being ] treated by a "free" breast cancer program in  their state.
I will be starting a discussion forum quite soon on the subject of  past and present treatment of uninsured women,  legislation and [elsewhere on web] which may lead to a petition to the government to enact more protection for these uninsured women. If you are interested in joining in such a discussion group - perhaps there is a way to let me know?  

Because this  is not a question to medhelp -- it is a REPLY to a post by an uninsured woman. Therefor I guess the only place to post that you might be interested in the forum - is to REPLY to this message- stating that you would like to know when the forum is available.
We are all sisters - and my sincere hope is for us to be able to talk with each other - not for the purpose of medical advice or help in treatment decisions - but for insight and more  information as to what is available for uninsured women.  

Thank you and God Bless all of you~

[healthcareguerilla]

I posted this above for another woman. You can get care through your area Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. Unfortunately, these programs go by different names depending on where you live. Healthy Women's Partnership is another. Overall, it is a CDC (Center for Disease Control) program. But if you call a hospital that has a breast care center, they can direct you.

This does not require approval through the Department of Social Services.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000 provides screening, and treatment for women who are uninsured/underinsured and do not have an income greater than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This is NOT just a screening program. It will pay for diagnosis and treatment. And NOT just for poor women. Don't let anyone tell you that.

The fact that you have insurance, but there is a pre-existing problem should help you qualify for this CDC program, as it is also directed at under-insured women.

Also, you can go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contactlist.asp for contact information. I'm not happy with the extraordinarily limited information provided there. You'd be better off looking up Breast and Cervical Cancer with your State name.

Don't let the system get you down.  Programs do exist.  And, by all means, contact the Avon Foundation if you need more assistance.  Avon is the only company who provided direct assistance when I needed it desperately.  God Bless them....and you...and all of us.

[justLinerd]

You must understand the term "Pre-existing" if the insurance Co. can determine if you had cancer before the inception of insurance you will not be covered. Meaning that if the doctors can determine at what stage the cancer growth is at, or how much growth there is they can determine that you had cancer before the inception of the policy. Therefor considering it pre-existing. This goes for any health issue not just cancer.

A woman becomes preganant in her 2nd month of her 3 month probationary period on the job. Her insurance kicks in and she go to see the ob/gyn not knowing she is pregnant her pregnancy would be considered pre-existing. In some cases you can have the employer contact the insurance and request the inception to start prior to the pregnancy so there will be coverage but some companies will not.

You need to find out how long before diagnosis you had the cancer how far or even if has spread, and if you find out what caused the cancer and maybe find a respondsible party to finance treatment. Did you live in a place that had a cancer hazard, where in or around any asbestos or other carcinagenic that may have caused the cancer. But most of all pray and ask other to pray for you keep your faith and learn as much as you can about the type of cancer you knowledge is a great defense.

My mother HAD cancer she started to take flaxseed oil at the onset and the docs said it had shrunk by the time she had surgery. Something to try. God Bless and speed.

[Twocapes]

Casey - this is a wonderful website.  It has helped me through quite a bit.  Put it in your "favorite places" and don't hesitate to keep us informed.

[CASEY 2]

I AM GOING TO CONTACT HIPPA THANK YOU FOR THAT SUGGESTION , I WILL ALSO BE GOING TO SOCIAL SERVICE FRIDAY, THIS IS A WONDERFUL WEB SITE I HAVE A RENEWED SINCE OF HOPE. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO LEAVE MESSAGES FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT REACHED OUT TO HELP ME SO UNTIL I LEARN I AM PUTTING IT OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE.

[carme]

HIPAA, check it out.

[CASEY 2]

I HAD THE NEEDLE ASPIRATION BEFORE I STARTED THE JOB, HOWEVER I HAD TO WAIT 90 DAYS FOR THE INSURANCE SO I AM CONFUSED THE ONLY MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION IS THE PATHALOGY REPORT.  i AM GOING TO GO TO SOCIAL SERVICE PLEASE PRAY FOR ME . I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH MORE I CAN TAKE IN REJECTION.

[Twocapes]

I would think that if you signed up for your insurance BEFORE you found out about your breast cancer and there are no medical records suggesting that you had it previously, this would not be classified as "pre-existing".  I know you are overwhelmed and frightened, but it might be worth "fighting" for what is right.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear CASEY2:  Our recommendation is that you call the local department of social services.  These are experts who can help you sort through your financial options as well as locate appropriate support for you as you go through this process.  Please make this call.