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Old 05-20-2012, 02:47 PM   #1
jml
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OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

OhmyGod OhmyGod OhmyGod!
I can't believe this has happened.
Paying my insurance premium has always been my highest priority, as I'm self insured & self employed & have been with my insurance company for the past 10 years...
In the midst and chaos of rushing off to Hawaii to be with my dad when we put him in hopice & his ultimate passing, I asked a friend to deposit a check for me in my Credit Union because it was the begnning of the month, and the deposit needed to be made asap to cover a handful of items being deducted, including my insurance premium.
Long story short, the credit union where the deposit was made is an affiliate of my CU and their policy is to hold the check for 8 days, which they did.
In the meantime, a handful of autodrafts came through, including my insurance premium, and they all bounced and I was charged overdraft fees for each.
I remember looking at my account while I was in Hawaii, and saw a line item with my insurance co's name, but the charge was the overdraft fee not the premium being deducted. At the time I think I was in such a state that I couldn't make sense of what was going on.
In the meantime, when the deposit check finally cleared all the other vendors re-submitted for payment and were eventually covered, but my insurance company did not re-submit. All the while they were sending me letters to my house, but I was in Hawaii, and I was having all my mail held at the postoffice in Atlanta. So needless to say, I was none the wiser that I had missed my payment.
Until yesterday when I stopped to pick up a prescription the pharmacist is the one that told me that my policy had been cancelled since March 31. I nearly passed out.
So I raced home, looked more closely at my bank account, was able to make sense that the payment for April was never drafted, then opened my mail and found the letters from my insurance company that I had missed a payment and my policy has been terminated. Oh my God. What am I going to do?
I'm so panicked and confused and scared. I was having treatment in Hawaii during the month of April & getting prescriptions filled, but apparently didn't have insurance coverage, but no one told me at that time. Had I known during the month of April I could have made the payment before the end of the month and I would be okay.
Instead I'm only discovering this now and terrified about what lies ahead.
Does anyone have any familiarity with this situation? Is there anychance they'll reinstate me or am I SOL? What do people do when they have Stage IV cancer for 10 years and then lose their insurance? Am going to have to change providers and leave the team that has kept me alive for the past decade?
I'm so panicked I can barely breath, and I don't know how I'm going to get through the next 18 hourse when the insurance co finally opens up & I can talk to customer service.

HELP!

Jessica
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Old 05-20-2012, 03:08 PM   #2
Delaney
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Surely you are such a long term customer, they will grant you extra time. I know when we change insurers here, there is a 12week grace period or so. hopefully, you will deal with someone with a heart and they will sort you out, it was so easy to make that mistake in the circumstances. Best wishes.
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Delaney, dx 2008 lumpectomy,mastectomy,a/c,paxitaxol, tyverb 1 yr.
dx 2010 mets lymph nodes, skin, lung. start taxotere/herceptin.
Stopped taxtere/herceptin, now on tyverb/xeloda.
Lung mets shrinking.
Back on Herceptin with T/X. Partial response.
Skin mets progressing. Radiation scheduled mid february 2011.
Spot found on hip - radiation to hip beginning mid February 2011.
Now trying Gemzar/Tyverb/Herceptin and Zometa.
CT scan Feb 2011 - lung clear!
Brain mets (specks) - radiation mid Feb.
Brain Scan June'11 - Clear
CT Scan June'11 - Good - skin met active - watch and wait.
Surgery to remove skin met. Surgery to back 2012, four titanium rods inserted. Skin mets reappear. On Navelbine, not working. 4 week washout, start Myocet for skin and lung mets August 2012. Brain scan clear despte intermittent blurry vision (something hiding? Am suspicious but hopeful. )On we go, glad to be here.
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Old 05-20-2012, 03:55 PM   #3
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

what state do you live in and who is the insurer?
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Old 05-20-2012, 03:59 PM   #4
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

This has happened to me. I have Kaiser who was able to reinstate me as soon as the received payment. I went two weeks receiving treatments until I realized what happened. Kaiser covered all the during that period because they had received payment of the month that treatment occured.

I'm praying that for you too. I just kept telling myself I wasn't the first to do this so there must be some kind of policy to correct it.
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Old 05-20-2012, 04:31 PM   #5
BonnieR
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

I feel your panic. Do they have any sort of after hours/ emergency phone number? Surely they will work with a long time client. Maybe they have some sort of advocate service you could appeal to
I know this sounds gratuitous at the moment, but we have our premiums automatically deducted so a payment doesn't get missed. Maybe you can set that up in future
Meanwhile, take a deep breath. It's almost Monday. Keep the faith
__________________
Bonnie

Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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Old 05-20-2012, 04:41 PM   #6
chrisy
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Jessica,
I can't even imagine the panic you are feeling. Try to breathe. You don't know how this will unfold, and unfortunately until you actually speak to somebody, you won't even know where to start.

Somehow I reject the idea that you, who have fought so hard for so long to manage this stupid disease, finding creative solutions and putting together a team such as you have, will be brought down by an insurance snafu.

Hold your intention firmly - that this will be resolved with a good outcome for you - and try to stay calm. Keep the faith.
Chris
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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Old 05-20-2012, 05:24 PM   #7
KDR
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Jessica,
I wish I could tell you how to resolve this issue, and you've gotten good advice above. In N.Y., you have until the end of the month to pay without termination. Call and ask for a reinstatement.
Start at step one. I wish you the best of luck. My own heart started racing when I read your post.
Let us know,
Karen
__________________
World Trade Center Survivor (56th Floor/North Tower): 14 years and still just like yesterday.
Graves Disease, became Euthyroid via Radioactive Iodine, June 2001.
Thyroid Eye Disease. 2003. Decompression surgery in 2009; eyelid lowering surgery in 2010.
Diagnosed: June 2010, liver mets. ER-/PR+10%; HER2+++.
July 2010: Begin Taxol/Herceptin. Eliminate sugar from diet. No surgery or radiation.
January 2011: NED
April 2011: Progression in liver only. Other previous affected areas eradicated. Stop Taxol/Herceptin after 32 infusions.
May 2011: Brain MRI: clear.
May 2011: Begin Tykerb daily, Xeloda twice per day for one week on, one week off, and Herceptin.
November 2011: Progression in liver. All other tumors remain eradicated.
December 2011: BEGIN TRIAL #09-093 Taxol, MCC-DM1 (T-DM1), Perjeta.
Trial requires scans every six weeks, bloodwork and infusions weekly.
Brain MRI: clear.
January 2012: NED. Liver mets, good riddance!
March 2012: NED. Developed SMA (rare blood clot) in intestinal artery and loss of sight in right eye due to optical nerve neuropathy. Resolved when Taxol removed this month.
Continue Protocol of T-DM1 weekly and Perjeta every 3 weeks.
May 2012: NED.
June 2012: Brain MRI: clear.
June-December 2012: NED.
December 2012: TRIAL CONCLUDED; ENTER TRIAL EXTENSION #09-037. CT, Brain MRI, bone scan: clear. NED.
January-March 2013: NED.
June 2013: Brain MRI: clear. CEA upticking; CT shows new met on liver.
July 3, 2013: DISASTER STRIKES during liver ablation: sloppy surgeon cuts intercostal artery and I bleed out, lose 3.5 liters of blood, have major hemothorax, and collapsed lung requiring emergency resuscitative thoracotomy, lung surgery, rib rearrangement and cutting deep connective tissue, transfusion. Ablation incomplete. This life-saving procedure would end up causing me unforgiving pain with every movement I make, permanently, otherwise known as forever.
July 26, 2013: Try Navelbine/Herceptin. Body too weak after surgery and transfusion. Fever. CEA: Normal.
August 16, 2016: second dose Navelbine/Herceptin; CEA: Normal. Will skip doses. Watching and waiting.
September 2013: NED, Herceptin only. CEA: Normal. Started Arimidex.
October-November 2013: NED. Herceptin and Arimidex. CEA, CA125, 15-3: Normal.
December 2013: Something brewing. PET lights up on little spot on liver; CEA upward trend, just outside normal. PET and triphasic liver scan confirm Little Met. Restart Perjeta with Herceptin, stay on Arimidex. Genomic sequencing completed for future treatments, if necessary.
January 2014: Ablate Little Met on the 6th. Happy New Year.
March 2014: Brain MRI: clear. PET/CT reveal liver mets return; new lung mets. This is not funny.
March 2014: BEGIN TRIAL #10-005 A(11)-Temsirolimus plus Neratinib.
April 2014: Genomic testing indicated they could work, they did not. Very strange drug combo for me, felt weird.
April 2014: Started Navelbine and Herceptin. Needed something tried and true, but had significant progression.
June 2014: Doxil and Herceptin.
July 2014: Progression. Got nothing out of it. Brain: NED.
July 2014: Add integrative medical hematologist-oncologist to my team. Begin supplements. These are tumor-busting, immune system boosters. Add glutathione, lysine and taurine IV infusions every three weeks.
July 2014: Begin Gemzar, Herceptin & Perjeta. Happy.
August 2014: ECHO perfect.
January 2015: Begin weekly Vitamin D Analog infusions. 25 mcg. via port.
February 2015: CT: stable.
April 2015: Gem working, but not 100%. Looking into immunotherapy. Finally, treatments for the 21st century!
April 2015: Penn Medicine. Dendritic cell immunotherapy.
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Old 05-20-2012, 07:17 PM   #8
Vicki revised
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Surely something in all the new health care laws addresses situations like this, esp since you are a long time customer AND you have stage 4 cancer. They may charge you a higher premium for the missed months like COBRA.
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Vicki
Lord, give me the comfort of Your embrace and acceptance of Your will.

3/11: DX: IDC, HER2++, ER/PR neg, stage 4, mets to liver. Primary tumor: grade 3; 11 cm. 2nd smaller tumor: ~2.5cm. Multiple affected nodes, 1 spot on liver. 6 rounds TCH prior to bmx.
7/11: Nothing left except Primary breast tumor now 1.5cm.
8/11: BMX, 17/17 nodes clear. No post-op chemo or radiation indicated. NED!
10/11: NED! Continue Herceptin indef.
2/12: Reoccurence of liver mets; both lobes. Tykerb added to Herceptin.
5/12: Progression of liver mets. Stop Tykerb, start Abraxane & Herceptin weekly.
8/12: Progression in liver and lymph nodes around liver and right kidney. Herceptin not working anymore! Stop Abraxane and Herceptin. Start Tykerb and Xeloda.
10/12: Severe side effects. 3 weeks break from everything.
12/12: It's working! All tumors gone except 2 (from 20+) Continue Tykerb and Xeloda. Brain and spine MRIs clear.
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Old 05-20-2012, 10:24 PM   #9
radiant
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

This last Feb - I went thru ins nightmares
and then again in April. The ins company
forgot to send me the bill - then told
me they would cancel me. I was able to
prove no bill was sent and was reinstated.

You may want to call your state's insurance
commission tomorrow and see what your
rights are before contacting the ins company.
They may offer to call on your behalf.

Also, contacting patientadvocate.org
would also be a good thing!! They have
a toll free number and r excellent with this
and they are free!

Plz let us know how this unfolds. I'm SO
sorry - I've felt this panic before.

Hugs,

Kim
__________________
------------------------------
Dx Stage 3C 2005, triple +, tons of lymph nodes as well. FEC, surgery, TCH, rads, herceptin 1 year. And, Aromasin.
2007 - recurrence to medistinal lymph node, Abraxene and Herceptin - took it down 50%
2008 - on Arimidex/Herceptin - stable lymph node.
2009 - stable on Arimidex/Herceptin
2010 - lymph node progression and liver mets.
2010 - went on Gemzar, Navelbine, Herceptin - Navelbine and Herceptin took liver mets down. lymph node slightly progressed.
2010 - did Xeloda & Tykerb - MAJOR progression in liver in only 6 weeks.
Dec 2010 - present - Ixempra/Avastin/Herceptin/Fasoldex - regressing
June 2012 - chemo break
Sept 19, 2012 - start t-dm1. Chose this over going back on Ixempra.
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Old 05-20-2012, 11:58 PM   #10
KsGal
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

I agree, this is scary. I think the thing that mosts worries me is the fact that your policy has been cancelled for a few weeks, rather than during the grace period (before the end of April). Im soooo sorry you are going through this. I know you must just be panicked beyond belief, but take a deep breath. It's almost Monday morning, and I know you will be on the phone as soon as the offices open. You will be able to get answers to all of your questions. I have to think that, considering your history with this company and the circumstances that caused this situation, they will work something out with you. Big hugs, prayers and fingers and toes crossed. Please keep us updated.
__________________
Diagnosed in October 2011 Stage IV with metastasis to liver.
January 2012 after double mastectomy, started taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin.
Clear.
December 2012 was diagnosed with five brain mets, and had whole brain radiation.
Around July 2014 two mets in brain, one a residual spot and one new one growing in size. Received Cyberknife on both areas
Clear/NED
April 2015 remain NED
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Old 05-21-2012, 04:33 AM   #11
Sheila
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Jessica

I think its important to plan on getting documentation of you being in Hawaii, your fathers illness and passing..thisis all pertinant info that the insurance company needs to take into account...especially since you have had them for years...then there is always the cancer card / chemo brain issues...use it when you need to. I just got into a heated argument with express scripts the other day over NEXIUM....yes, Nexium, and after 1 hour and 20 minutes on the phone, nothing was done. I was almost in tears, hung up and then decided I wasnt putting up with their BS...I called back, asked for a manager, and then explainded to them that I was asking for Nexium, not Opium....and that 1 hour and 20 minutes may not seem like a lot of time to them, but its different for a terminally ill cancer patient....boom, he immediately straightened out the snafu, and credited my account for the cost I had already paid, and sent the drug.....do not take no for an answer, always ask for a manager, explain what has occurred, how stress can affect you....I usually tell them..I know you people probably wish i was dead so you can quit paying, but hey, i am fighting for my life....what is it was your wife, mother, sister, daughter? Make it personal......Sending prayers that this will be taken care of today....if not, you have a mod squad of Her2 women ready to go to battle for you....sending strength and a big hug....please let us know what happens!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 05-21-2012, 05:09 AM   #12
jml
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

I'm sitting here anxiously waiting to call my insurance company...cell phone charged, ear piece ready, detailed notes in hand and my Dad's rosary.
Unfortunately they don't open until 8am Central time and I'm in Eastern time...one more hour.
I really am at their mercy as I am now 3 weeks outside of the grace period. One of their final letters they sent said that they may reinstate my policy or I could reapply, but their acceptance is purely at their discretion. That's a little glimmer of hope, isn't it? Considering the complicacted circumstances surrounding the confusion.
If I just simply had more money in my account to cover all the autodrafts I wouldn't be in this situation, but the reality it I just haven't been working as much, having just finished brain rads and I just don't generate the income I used to, live very lean and sometimes hand to mouth.

Thank you for all your support and empathy and the encouragement and suggestions of where I might turn for assistance if today's phone call doesn't have a favorable outcome.

I'll keep you posted~

Keeping the Faith~

Jessica

ps-sheila- i'm so sorry for your frustrating phone call.
i hate those and i hate that for you. i always try and cut
bait early and ask for a manager, but on many occassions
i've gotten so tangled in go-nowhere conversations with
customer no-service reps that i've completely lost it. hope everything worked out.
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Old 05-21-2012, 08:26 AM   #13
chrisy
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Let's see, I assume you are on the phone nos. Sheila's right, do not give up, keep escalation until you get the right person - meaning the one who gives you the answer you seek.
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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Old 05-21-2012, 09:51 AM   #14
ElaineM
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Wink Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

You have received excellent advice from everyone. I just need to add a few suggestions of my own.
Find out what your state laws are regarding health insurance. There must be a state office that overseas those things. Call them and ask for advice.
Find out what the federal laws are regarding health insurance and what and what not an insurance company can do under your circumstances. Find out what you can do legally.
Call your hospital or oncology group and make arrangements for a temporary payment plan just in case you have to go that route.
Consider applying for your state Medicaid plan if all else fails. Low income uninsured working people may qualify under some circumstances.
Make arrangements for your health insurance premiums and rent/mortage to be automatically deducted from your checking account every month just in case you are not able to take care of those things yourself.
All the best to you. Have faith that something will work out for you eventually.
__________________
Peace,
ElaineM
12 years and counting
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48247
Lucky 13 !! I hope so !!!!!!
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52807
14 Year Survivor
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57053
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." author unknown
Shared by a multiple myeloma survivor.
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Old 05-21-2012, 10:03 AM   #15
schoolteacher
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Jessica,

Hope you were able to talk to your insurance company, and they reinstated your insurance.

Amelia
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Old 05-21-2012, 10:32 AM   #16
ElaineM
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Wink Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

A couple extra tiny little suggestions !!
Some pharmacies offer discount cards. See if your local pharmacy has them and apply. Every little bit helps.
Also you could apply for assistance for your meds online.
I think some of the organizations are Needy Meds and Partnership for Prescriptions. Do a search for help with the cost of prescriptions. That should bring up some helpful links. You might want to apply while you sort out your insurance issues. You can always refuse the help if you don't need it, but at least every little bit might help in the meantime.
Good luck.
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Peace,
ElaineM
12 years and counting
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48247
Lucky 13 !! I hope so !!!!!!
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52807
14 Year Survivor
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57053
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." author unknown
Shared by a multiple myeloma survivor.
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Old 05-21-2012, 11:04 AM   #17
BonnieR
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

I think I misunderstood earlier about how you were making your payments. In re-reading the circumstances, it seems a case can be made that the money WAS available and the credit union was the hang up. If not for them, this wouldn't have happened.
At any rate, as the others have suggested, go to the top. Get a manager, an advocate. And always keep the faith. We are behind you and awaiting the outcome.
__________________
Bonnie

Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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Old 05-21-2012, 01:06 PM   #18
jml
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Thank you everyone again. Yes, Bonnie, the credit union was the hang up, so now I've decided that I'm going to have to make the 20mi drive to my own credit union to make deposits rather than the "convenience" of going to the affiliate around the corner from my house.
The verdict is still out on whether or not they're going to reinstate me or not, but with the help of the folks at the insurance company they walked me through how to expedite applying for reinstatement and I authorized them to electronically draft 3 months ($$$$)worth of insurance premiums to cover the month that was missed, this month and next month. The lady that helped me was very patient and kind, said she would go talk to the underwriters about my circumstances. I'm still a little scared because I always anticipated my insurance co. would LOVE to drop me since the cost of my care is so expensive vs what I pay each month. I've never had problems getting any procedures or treatments approved and their customer service is always helpful. Keeping fingers crossed...
In addition my mortgage didn't get paid either, so I was scrambling for cash to deposit to cover that and now owe my best friend $300.
My family already pays the 1st mortgage on my condo, I pay the 2nd, plus all my out of pocket healthcare expenses.And I've always been very proud that I have been self sufficient enough to do so. I don't want to be a burden to them and I want to be able to work as much as I'm physically & mentally able. But it's definitely hand to mouth.
Just another compromise and a sacrifice, losing our independence & livlihoods to accomodate this disease.

The Good News of the day is I finally feel some hair nubs growing in after losing my hair for the 4th time, this time due to WBR!

Jml
Keeping the Faith~
Jml
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Old 05-21-2012, 04:46 PM   #19
sassy
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

Jessica,

If you haven't done so, I suggest you write everything out exactly as it happened so you have it in hand, ready to fax or e-mail to the insurance company, the commissioner of insurance for your state or whomever may need it in the event that you don't get the best answer back. If you write it while you are not in a complete state of panic, you will be less likely to forget details that might be helpful, plus you will be able to formulate your best rational and empathy inducing case. Point out that you made the payment in "good faith" and that the flub was due to the credit union issue, not your lack of submission of payment or even lack of sufficient funds.

This link might be helpful:

http://www.oci.ga.gov/consumerservice/Complaint.aspx

I understand your fear that the insurance company may try to drop you, but I think the circumstances of your situation, your previous payment track record and the fact that you acted in good faith should help. Just don't give up. I think insurance companies often deny claims simply because most people don't stick with it and follow up. Many lay people feel that if the insurance company says no---thats it---and it may not be so.

Stick with it and hang in there. Keeping you always in my prayers.
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Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14YEARS NED!
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Old 05-22-2012, 08:09 AM   #20
Vicki revised
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Re: OMG -Panic! Missed insurance premium...now coverage terminated!

I would def. find a closer credit union or bank. There may be times in the future that drive may be difficult. The affiliates are just middle men.

Not sure if it would work in your situation but years ago my CU screwed up and posted my deposit to the wrong acct (the joint acct with my son). When I realized what happened and went there in person, (pre-cancer) and I had no tolerance for fools.

I told them how pissed off, embarrassed and broke I was and that I was closing all my accts (my director at work was on the board of dir but I hadn't pulled that card yet--told them I was going to send letter to board) they paid me back all the fees, corrected the problem, reprimended the teller who wasn't paying attention, and put me on overdraft protection for no annual fee or interest, which I am still on now.

I have a feeling since they accepted the 3 months payment this will work out, but they may want to do auto drafts from your acct for the premiums inthe future.
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Vicki
Lord, give me the comfort of Your embrace and acceptance of Your will.

3/11: DX: IDC, HER2++, ER/PR neg, stage 4, mets to liver. Primary tumor: grade 3; 11 cm. 2nd smaller tumor: ~2.5cm. Multiple affected nodes, 1 spot on liver. 6 rounds TCH prior to bmx.
7/11: Nothing left except Primary breast tumor now 1.5cm.
8/11: BMX, 17/17 nodes clear. No post-op chemo or radiation indicated. NED!
10/11: NED! Continue Herceptin indef.
2/12: Reoccurence of liver mets; both lobes. Tykerb added to Herceptin.
5/12: Progression of liver mets. Stop Tykerb, start Abraxane & Herceptin weekly.
8/12: Progression in liver and lymph nodes around liver and right kidney. Herceptin not working anymore! Stop Abraxane and Herceptin. Start Tykerb and Xeloda.
10/12: Severe side effects. 3 weeks break from everything.
12/12: It's working! All tumors gone except 2 (from 20+) Continue Tykerb and Xeloda. Brain and spine MRIs clear.
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