Has anyone had insurance issues with mom? Can I just vent too?

TheColorPurple02
TheColorPurple02 Member Posts: 1
edited May 2015 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Hello to all that reads this post. My 65 year old mom has a diagnosis of right breast cancer. Originally, the first pathology report from the biopsy stated DCIS & doctors believed a mastectomy or a lumpectomy with radiation would suffice. She is status post mastectomy on 4/29/15. The final path report now states invasive ductal carcinoma with a 1.2 cm invasion. The cancer is ER+, PR+, and Her -. The surgeon & pathologist strongly believe radiation will not benefit my mother.

Here's the kicker....my mother did not apply for Medicare upon turning 65 in December 2014. She is currently out of the enrollment period. She still holds private insurance but they are assuming she has Medicare. I have helped her recently enroll in Medicare A (hospital insurance only) from her ex-husband. Now her private insurance company is making us jump through hoops to prove she doesn't have Medicare.

She lives in South Carolina & I live in Maryland. We are experiencing a delay in treatment. I am already beyond stressed & already have a history of anxiety. :(

BTW guys, her 73 year old sister is currently being tested for possible breast cancer due to right axillary lymph node enlargement & with pain in the breast.

-Has anyone had an issue like this & were you able to resolve the issue in a timely manner?

-Did anyone of you help your love one take out supplemental insurance? If so, what type?

-Can anyone just give me words of encouragement? Lol

Thank you!

From a frazzled 30 year old daughter & niece.


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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited May 2015

    I helped my FIL get supplemental insurance through BCBS of Ok. He apparently declined prescription coverage years ago (he's 88) and now has Alzheimer's. It was scary declining his employer provided supplemental coverage but so far his new coverage is very good. Good luck. You are a blessing to your mom

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2015

    Dear ColorPurple2,

    We are so sorry to hear about your mom and your own struggles with obtaining the right insurance for her treatment. We are glad that you reached out to our community. Here is a link to insurance related questions on our website Paying for CARe. We hope that others might offer some ideas as well. You may be able to request the help of a social worker, case manager or business office representative within the health care system where your mom is treated. They handle insurance dilemmas everyday and may offer the most information to tackle the issues. Keep us posted. The Mods

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