DCIS Not Serious Enough For Insurance!

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TB90
TB90 Member Posts: 992
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I should be thankful, but I am spitting mad.  For some crazy reason, I purchased credit card balance insurance (I typically never would even consider this) about a year ago.  When diagnosed with breast cancer, I remembered the salesperson emphasizing that they would even pay off the balance if diagnosed with a critical illness, even if it did not kill me.  Bonus!  But when I put in a claim, they state that DCIS does not qualify as a critical illness.  I lost it.  I just cannot sort our my feelings.  Of course, I would rather live than win a claim, but this just seems absurd.  Your thoughts will help me to put this in perspective.  Thanks ahead of time.  "Disillusioned" 

 

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  • percy4
    percy4 Member Posts: 477
    edited January 2014

    Terrible.  I think you should dispute it.  DCIS, while not yet invasive, is considered to have the possibility of changing to an invasive cancer.  To not take this as an important disease is remiss.  If they do not accomodate you, I would go to the program in your state which deals with insurance.  I know California has a section like that, which regulates insurance responsibilities, and I imagine every state would.  Bottom line.  Some companies will try to get away with what they can, presuming people will not investigate their options further.  You do not have to chose between being grateful you did not have a more advanced cancer and being treated fairly by your insurance company.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited January 2014

    Thanks Percy:  Part of me feels so guilty for not appreciating that DCIS is considered not to be a critical illness, but when I look in the mirror at my mx, consider what I have been through and how my future health issues will be forever affected, I feel that this is a typical ploy by an insurance company to look for an out.  I know that insurance policies do not define an illness, but they do impact how those of us with the illness are treated.  First I was declined for life insurance due to higher than recommended cholesterol and now my bc is not serious enough.  Yes, I think I will follow up with this through an appeal or whatever process is available to me.  I live in Canada, but even if not successful, expressing myself will help me deal with what feels like an injustice.    

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  • percy4
    percy4 Member Posts: 477
    edited January 2014

    Good for you.  I know how hard that could be, while at the same time dealing with what you have been through, physically.  Still; muster up the strength to fight for your rights.  Please keep us informed. xx

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  • sandraboyd
    sandraboyd Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2014
    Call the American Cancer Society. They consider it serious. See what they say. its cancer according to them the last time i spoke with them.
    Agada
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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited January 2014

    You could contact your states Consumer Protection division. Usually the Attorney General's office handles this. If you have any type of paper work from the insurance on what it will cover, how it will cover, when it will cover, that is beneficial. Look on the credit card wesite for this information. Somehow, I would think lopping off body parts would qualify.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    TB90, I am so sorry that you are having this fight with the insurance company, and I can understand how you are feeling.

    I think that this is probably one of those "grey" areas that are a loophole for insurance companies to be able to deny a claim.

    I had one of these policies, years ago, which stated they'd pay off the credit card if you were Dx with a life threatening illness. When I read the small print it was pretty specific, that it really had to be dire straits before you'd be paid out.

    I believe, from my research, that DCIS, in itself, is never "Life Threatening", but has the propensity to escape the ducts and morph, and become IDC which can then become, the "Life Threatening" cancer they speak of in the policy.

    I had the, Dx of DCIS, and also had a Mx. When my Surgeon read the Final Pathology report to me, he said that since I had made the decision to have that Mx, and the Pathology Report showed that I had no invasion, I was "Essentially Cured", so no, I don't have a "Life Threatening", or "Terminal Condition".

    That doesn't mean that I don't still have that fear of either a new primary, or a recurrence in the minimal breast tissue that I still have, or indeed that I am missing a body part, but I am not considered to have that "Terminal Illness" which is the criteria for these policies. 

    I have no respect for insurance companies, they have no trouble taking your money, but never actually make it easy, for you to make a claim, even if you fit the criteria.

    I wish you all the very best with your claim, and hope you have a good outcome.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited January 2014

    Since the denial, I took out the policy and read the fine print.  DCIS was clearly stated as an exclusion.  Of course when I purchased the policy, I did not even have a clue what DCIS was.  I feel foolish to even have purchased additional insurance as I knew better.  They simply proved me correct in believing that they are simply out for their own profit.  BUT the good news is that I had applied for life insurance prior to my dx and due to higher than ideal cholesterol, believed that I had been turned down.  My banker (also a friend) advised me that I had been approved and then when I told her about my recent dx of breast cancer, she simply stated yahoo! (Not about the bc of course) It cannot affect my coverage now as my approval happened well before the dx.  So I won one by the skin of my teeth.  How much do you bet that had I had the DCIS diagnosis when I applied for life insurance, I would have been declined (it would have been serious enough for them I bet!!)    my husband simply states that he is so happy that they do not consider dcis as a critical illness and he would gladly take the financial hit for my health any day.  I am still pissed :)

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  • mema4
    mema4 Member Posts: 574
    edited January 2014

    Insurance companies hate social networking. It's easy to point out their nasty side. News reporters love it cause when there's no bad weather they are always looking for something.  I'd say it's time you start spreading the word. Who know what may happen for you and for others.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2014

    Pelitively, her policy specifically excluded DCIS. That is not deceptive at all, so why should she take it to the media? The fact is, DCIS treatment rarely causes disability so that she would be unable to work & continue to pay her credit card bill.

    Narrow coverage policies of any kind usually cost more than they are worth. That goes for any type...cancer policies, hospital indemnity policies, AD&D policies, etc. Even extended warranties on most things.

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  • mema4
    mema4 Member Posts: 574
    edited January 2014

    That certainly makes sense. Such a shame. I'm lucky enough to have retired early with a very supportive husband. I can't believe that I also have Epilepsy, not recognized as a disease, and tremors, and no, BC. I can't imagine the thought of having to work daily with these illnesses. I hope we see changes in ways of thinking and of doing across our country.

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