Sister diagnosed and needs surgery, BUT...

sistersadvocate · November 2011

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I am looking for help and advice in regards to my sister's situation.. She was dx with BC (fairly large tumor) in her left breast in September. She is unemployed because she has been sick with many other problems unfortunately. At any rate, she has medicare. Her surgery was scheduled for next week and she was to then start 6 weeks of radiation. Well, the dr's office informed her that they were requiring almost $10,000 upfront! Poor thing. She does NOT have that kind of money laying around and quite frankly, I don't know a lot of people who do. I just CANNOT believe that they are going to just let her suffer and not do the surgery because she cannot pay this upfront.

My question is, A) can they do this? and .. any ideas on how I can help raise the money for her ASAP?!?!? I know how to make free websites, so I can do that in her name asking for donations, but I just don't know HOW to advertise it, etc. We don't know enough people who will donate that kind of money, nor do we expect it from anyone. Also, we are a VERY private family, so throwing our name out there isn't something we are keen on. Any ideas? Thank you all soooo much in advance for listening to our dilema.

Megadotz · November 2011

A good place to start is the Cancer Financial Assitance Coalition:

http://www.cancerfac.org/

Planned Parenthood works on sliding scale for cancer diagnosis and treatment and may be able to help as well.

Good Luck!

sheila888 · November 2011

http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/financial/medicaid

Maybe this might help you. Go to where it says MEDICARE MEDICAID together.

Good Luck to you.

♥

sheila888 · November 2011

https://www.cms.gov/medicaidspecialcovcond/02_breastandcervicalcancer_preventionandtreatment.asp

thenewme · November 2011

There's a forum here on BCO called "Insurance and Other Financial Issues" - there may be some good information there. Also tell your sister to be sure to reach out to her doctor or financial person at the office. They're very accustomed to financial concerns and may have some advice or resources to help.

Best of luck to your sister, and thanks for being there for her!

Wabbit · November 2011

If your sister has Medicare the $10,000 amount seems way too much for her deductible and co-pays ... even if this is for the surgery and radiation both. A quick check shows that Medicare will pay 80% of the costs for both. She should only have to pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount.

I think you need to ask for an itemized statement of how they arrived at that amount. Do her medical providers participate in the Medicare program?

This does not add up ... here a couple of links that might be helpful.

http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/

http://www.caring.com/medicare_information/medicare-coverage-of-radiation-therapy

Sister diagnosed and needs surgery, BUT...

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