Has anyone else been denied treatment for lack of money?

faithfulhearted
faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
edited November 2015 in Stage I Breast Cancer

In May SSA switched me from SSI to "Disabled Surviving Widow" and from AHCCCS (Medicaid) to Medicare. In July I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer (my very first mammogram). We went and saw the Oncologist who wants to do a "lumpectomy" but the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover will be between $4,-5,000. We simply do not have it and that number does not include the pre or post treatment; that is just the surgery. The household income is $1060 per month rent is $675, power runs about $135, insurance on the car (for which thank God there is no payment) is $200. If you do the math that leaves us $50 per month for dish soap, bath soap, toilet paper, dog food (I have a service dog), laundry soap, gasoline, oil, and everything else that food stamps won't cover. We get $294 in food stamps.

I'm sure that the cancer isn't sitting around crocheting doilies; it's growing. My biggest fear right now is that I will die of this cancer not because medical science cannot save me but rather because they will not save me.

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  • 123JustMe
    123JustMe Member Posts: 385
    edited June 2016
    Faithfulhearted,
    Please talk with a social worker where you will be having surgery. Once they review your financial situation I am sure they will be able to help.
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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    faithful, I am just so sorry. I'm not in the US, so I have no idea how to help. I wish I could. You've certainly opened my eyes. Naive me thought US Medicare meant no money out of pocket. I sincerely hope there is a program out there somewhere that can help. Again, so sorry and you are in my thoughts.

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  • faithfulhearted
    faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2015

    We have spoken to a number of social workers and they all say the same thing, "Just re-apply for AHCCCS and I'm sure they'll accept you this time". When they find out I've been turned down 6 times since July they say, "Well, I just don't know what to tell you". AHCCCS has a double standard. If you are working you can make up to $1400 per month and not lose coverage, but if you are on Social Security the limit is $910.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    Mods (or anyone), I know there's a bc.org related topic for financial help regarding treatment. I can't find it. Can somebody provide faithful the link? Just a shot in the dark that there's some resources there that are useful.

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

    We are really sorry to hear about what you are going through! We aren't sure if any of these pages could help, but take a look. Also, perhaps speaking with a different treatment facility?

    Paying for your care

    Social Security Disability Benefits

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2015

    Faithful if you don't mind sharing what State are you from ?

    Income is $1060 just for you?

    Something is not adding up.....??????

    With that income they have to give you at least a spend down Medicaid....or Medicaid should be covering what medicare doesn't cover.

    Go to Legal aid it's free......

    Sheila

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited October 2015

    That is horrible that the social worker you talked to was so indifferent. Is there any way to contact your county's social services? When I had chemo I saw a lady who lived further away and her county paid for her hotel room since she needed to return the next day for neulasta shot. And sometimes they paid for the hotel when the weather was too bad to drive home. And I am surprised the surgeons office is not calling you every week to see why you have not scheduled your surgery. A RO kept calling me to make sure I would move ahead with radiation ( I had chosen a treatment place that was closer instead). I hope you find someone who will care and find a way so you can afford treatment.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    Maybe in the meanwhile, if you are estrogen positive, he can put you on tamoxifen to keep the cancer in check while you are looking for more help. Is there anyone that can set you up on a 'go fund me' account? Will you check out 'every woman counts', breast and cervical detection treatment program, for low income women? I think you will qualify. But it is very important that they are the ones who diagnose you, so if you go there, don't tell them that you have already been diagnosed. There is one of these EWC in every state, it is state and federally funded through the tobacco tax. It has paid for ALL my care, every bit.

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  • faithfulhearted
    faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2015

    Sheilla888, I am in Tucson, Arizona. The income I listed is my Social Security check as a "Disabled Surviving Widow". The only thing Medicaid does for me is pay my Medicare premiums.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited October 2015

    You can also see if the hospital has a low income "bridge" program.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited October 2015

    Don't know if this will help but hospital that I was treated at in South Carolina had a Foundation - and they paid medical bills for those who qualified - I didn't need the coverage but I knew it was there and used by many - all you had to do was apply. Also in the cancer clinic I was treated at there was a financial person there to help anyone who needed help paying for treatment - do you have anyone there like that?

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2015

    Faithful i found a LINK for you. you can always try it

    http://www.azdhs.gov/hsd/healthcheck/documents/bcctp/bcctp-provider-application-packet.pdf

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  • faithfulhearted
    faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2015

    Inks, I don't blame the social worker. There is simply nothing that she can do. The day I went in and met the Oncologist I "met" at least a half a dozen people who would be on my "team". I have not heard from any of them since I told them I couldn't pay the co-pay.

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  • faithfulhearted
    faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2015

    Tomboy, I tried "go fund me" when I was trying to raise the money for the biopsy; I got $20. Fortunately the people who did the biopsy found a way to get our part of it down to $9.81 or my diagnosis wouldn't be confirmed.

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  • faithfulhearted
    faithfulhearted Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2015

    Sheila888, THANKS!! I'm going to jump on this in the morning.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    What state do you live in?

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    Shiela! That's it! In cali, it is called Every Woman Counts, but it is still the Breast and Cervical cancer Treatment Program. or, BCCPT. It is for you if you are below 250% of the federal income poverty level, and under 65 years old. Every state has a version, and they have been untouched by ObamaCare. Everything I have had, all tests, counseling, imaging etc. Here is the link for the arizona one you provided. http://www.azdhs.gov/hsd/healthcheck/documents/bcctp/bcctp-provider-application-packet.pdf

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    Ah, AHCCCS.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    I think the problem you might be getting is why did they switch you from medicaid to medicare? That might be the problem. And apparently now this year it is ok if you were diagnosed somewhere else. You should go there, tho, and talk to someone, they are as rabidly helpful as planned parenthood is, the process is done in less than 24 hours. Actually, I knew before I left the office, the gave me a temporary card and sent me on my way. This was a program created by the Centers for Disease Control, in 1995. Good luck to you, glad you found BCO, and I hope you do get some help soon, get treated as you should. okay, see you later

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2015

    Faithful...Good Luck to you as no woman or man should be left intreated because of money...

    Sheila

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited October 2015

    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/doctors-prescribing...


    Doctors prescribing legal aid for patients in need.

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  • flatnfab54
    flatnfab54 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2015

    I agree with Tomboy try the breast and cervical cancer program it has a higher income limit than regular Medicaid.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited October 2015

    faithful,,, many have given you good advice. I have none to give,, but I will be thinking of you and hoping that one of these programs works out for you. Everyone should be able to be treated!!!

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited October 2015

    Why isn't some of the zillions raised for BC awareness diverted to cases like faithfulhearted? I've heard women complain about the same thing. We all know the treatments are pricey. DH and I have BCBS with a 5k deductible. We buzz sawed through that n 2 months then it was 100% thank goodness otherwise we couldn't have paid for 33 Rads treatments.

    There is something terribly wrong with a health care system that turns people away because of $. St. Jude takes everyone regardless.

    Good luck!

    Diane

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    With you on that one, edwards750. I think we should somehow start one.

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited October 2015

    http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php?p=775

    http://www.cancercare.org/financial

    Possibly sources of financial help.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2015

    List of more resources:

    http://www.thepinkfund.org/the_pink_fund_state_resources.php

    Many individual cancer centers have patient assistance funds for those being treated there, mine definitely does, and they have personnel that know how to access patient assistance from a number of drug manufacturers for both chemo drugs, and collateral drug needs.


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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2015

    I was looking at the pink fund earlier, Special, and it doesn't look like they help with surgery or chemo drugs. Maybe adjuvant therapy drugs, And a couple thou, for personal use if you qualify.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2015

    The link I posted has some resources listed that help with co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance percentages for breast cancer treatment.  If the OP has Medicare it would cover the procedures and chemo except for the 20% - some of these programs on the list may be able to pick up the difference, or at least contribute. 

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  • flatnfab54
    flatnfab54 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2015
    The cancer center where I went to had a social worker that helped you qualify for grants and financial help for low income patients. I also qualified for a gift card for gas during radiation treatment. I lost my insurance during my year long treatment. At the end of my treatment any balance was taken care of by their financial hardship program.
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