Tampa area BCO sisters get togethers

Options
1303133353657

Comments

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    MaryLW - bummer!  What about Moffitt?  They have a branch right by International Plaza so it is closer to Pinellas.

  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited September 2013

    SpecialK, I'll check out Moffitt. Thanks.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    MaryLW - Also, Moffitt is the only NCI designated cancer center in FL.  Sorry, I can't direct you to a specific MO there, but there may be some who post on this thread who can.

  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited September 2013
  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2013

    Dr Cogburn is also mine, courtesy of nbnotes' recommendation.  As a matter of fact, I just had an appt with her today. 

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited October 2013

    Galsal,hope you had a good appt.  

    It's October already.....hope everyone is doing well. 

    I'm looking forward to November at fireworks!!!!  

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2013

    Yes it went great.  Even with a flare of Rheumatoid, the markers were fine.  Yah!

  • ameron
    ameron Member Posts: 98
    edited October 2013


    Galsal so glad to hear your markers were good!!! We all know what a relief that is! :)


    Hope everyone is well!


    I just had a thryoid biopsy today. Have a 3 inch mass on it. Doing the week wait thing for results. Oh the waiting game that comes with all this...so annoying, but very positive it is going to come back negative!!!


    Have a great weekend all!

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2013


    Fireworks, are we on for November 2? I will update the header if you give me the go and the details of what time you want to start.


    Ameron, I am routing and praying for good results.


    And Galsal, glad you already have you good results. About time you got a break!


    Lee7, since the raisins didn't work as well as desired, you will just have to stick to cheesecake. Too bad. :)

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2013


    ameron - sending positive thoughts for non-positive results! Keep us posted!


    galsal - yay for good news!

  • AnnAlive
    AnnAlive Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2013


    ameron, I had a thyroid biopsy back in June -- results inconclusive, so I'm in for another ultrasound later. I started taking Iodoral and hope that will reduce my multiple nodules. As you know, they are usually negative for cancer, so praying yours is!


    So glad to hear about your markers, galsal!


    I have a potluck dinner to go to on Nov 2 in the evening. I suppose I could still go to our thing if it's lunchtime that day, but I have adrenal fatigue so it's a lot for one day!


    I hope you all are doing reasonably well or very well. Hey, I was going to put a smiley here, but don't see it on the message bar! :-)

  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,777
    edited October 2013


    Thank you firework! Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about that insurance change. What is going on with insurance?

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2013


    Bobo, good vibes your way for a favorable result on the biopsy! Cousin had that on each side at separate times. Removed and yet they've not once used the C word about it. We get Thyroid problems from our Maternal Grandmother, although her goiters happened before salt was iodized. For me, it's just borderline hypothyroid.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    I'm in in the same insurance mess as Mary. I don't know who is dumping who, the letter Humana sent said it would be effective March 14,2014. When I called Dr Patels office, the girl said they thought it was BayCare behind this.


    Fl Cancer Specalists can't be the only group of oncs on this side of the Bay, are they? Even International Mall is a hike from Dunedin

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited October 2013


    perhaps some one knows about the Pinellas side. I did check and they have locations also in many places, including Clearwater, New Port Richey and St Petersburg. considering that several of us see two different Oncologists through their organization though, it leaves me with good faith other locations would be favorable to patients as well.

  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited October 2013


    ameron, sending good thoughts for negative results your way. Sorry you are in the waiting game, that is certainly a bummer.


    Galsal, happy dance for good markers.


    Hello and (hugs) to all!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2013


    spookiesmom - can you elaborate on the Baycare/FL CA Specialists/Humana thing? Humana administrates my insurance, but it is technically Tricare (military) and I am seen at FL CA Specialists. I have received no notification, from either Humana or FL CA that my insurance will no longer be accepted, but I am curious about what is being said.

  • ameron
    ameron Member Posts: 98
    edited October 2013


    Yes I am curious about Humana as well. I also have humana and am with Fla Cancer Specialist. Will be giving them a call first thing in the am! Thanks for all the supportive comments about waiting on my biopsy results. It is going to be a loooong week waiting.


    Looking forward to get together at Fireworks!! :)

  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited October 2013


    I think I missed the post about the next get together. Can you tell me when and where it's being held?

  • ameron
    ameron Member Posts: 98
    edited October 2013


    Well I should have said "tentative" get together. It was going to be a Fireworks new home in Clearwater, but I think she is out of town and hasn't actually 100% confirmed it yet. Hopefully she'll be back in town soon and can let us know how her schedule is looking.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    got a letter from Humana last week saying as of March 15, 2014 Florida Cancer Specalists will no longer be in their network if providers. I called my guy in Clearwater. His office confirmed that it was all Humana plans. Then the girl let it slip they thought it was BayCare.


    Remember the big flap last year with United and BayCare? It's all about $$$$, and I have no doubts this is too.


    I got another letter from the PT care advocate at Pinellas schools, we can apply for continuing care, but would have to pay out out network co pays, but tests, rx would be in network fees.


    I'm going to call PCS risk tomorrow.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2013


    spookiesmom - I wonder if it is regular group purchased plans through Humana - I have not received a letter. As I said Humana administrates my Tricare South Region plan, and I think it may be funded differently because it is military. At least, I am hoping so!

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2013


    I too am a Florida Cancer Specialist patient and BayCare has nothing to do with the contractual relationship between Humana and FCS. The United Healthcare and BayCare flap was directly between those two parties to a contract between the two if them. The woman at the doctor's office engaged in wild speculation and gossip. Consider the source and whether she would even have real knowledge to let "slip". His office is just one small on in a chain of many, many offices in the large corporation called Florida Cancer Specialist. Its corporate headquarters are in Fort Myers and that is were the contract negotiations with the insurance companies occur, not each separate location.


    This issue has to do with reimbursement rates Florida Cancer Specialists will accept and Humana is willing to pay. FCS will not accept Humana's reimbursement schedule. Humana will not pay what FCS wants. So when the current contract period ends, FCS will no longer accept Humana plans. Administered plans such as Tricare are probably excepted, but I am not certain. But it is all between those two, and nothing to do with BayCare except that is like the United/BayCare flap in that it is a stand-off on reimbursement rates between two very large corporations: FCS and Humana. Both very large corporations within their respective industries and both take the position that neither needs the other.


    Like BayCare/United it may resolve before next spring. But it is not BayCare's fault, unless one wants to blame them for setting the example of not accepting the dictates of an insurance company and choosing not to do business with them.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    the second letter I got said if you haven't received a letter, you would soon. It did say ALL Humana plans. I don't know anything about Tricare, be good to call your particular office.

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2013


    Apparently Cigna and Humana are a big problems for doctors and becoming more so. I know several who have dropped Cigna and also Humana over the reimbursement rate issue and also say the two are a PITB to deal with administratively. The insurance hassles are a problem on both sides of the transactions.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    I've had Humana for several years from PCS. Will be 65 next month, changing into their Gold plan. I've had 3 of my docs tell me they don't accept the Gold plan. Fl Cancer makes the 4th. I've always assumed it's about $$$$


    PCS has had Cigna and Aetna too. They don't give a flying fig about their people, it's all about $$ on both sides.


    Last year, in the middle of my treatment, my plan changed. The new had a 2500 deductible I was freaking out. Rads took care of that real quick.


    Maybe this should hit the media!?!

  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited October 2013


    SpookiesMom, I turned 65 in March and went on Humana Gold. Before that I was on Humana Point of Service. I reached my out of pocket cap of $2500 on Humana Point if Service during January and February. Then I went on Humana Gold and started all over with a cap of $3400. Nothing carried over. They squeeze every penny out of us.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    That really bites! It's been nice cruising this year with no co pays. I just checked my Humana card, it does NOT say anything about the Gold plan. So maybe there's hope for 2 of my docs. Hope so! My derma found some pre cancer stuff on my arm. Drivers arm.


    Got side tracked with DH bday today, back to my medical world tomorrow.

  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited October 2013


    my card says Humana Medicare, but everybody calls it Humana Gold. It must be the same thing.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2013


    my card says Humana medicare(employer HMO). A Medicare Health Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage.

Categories