(no subject)
So, it looks like ONE of the insurance companies has finally worked out their differences with the hospital and decided to pay their portion of the bill. For the two treatments Chris had under the Anthem BCBS insurance, we are responsible for $2600 (about $1200 per treatment, plus a bit of deductible) of the $22,000+ total bill.
Of course, this was the company that had 'requested additional info' from the hospital and hadn't gotten it and so said we weren't responsible for any charges until this was cleared up. The other insurance company, Aetna, flat out denied most of the claim on the basis that the drug is considered 'experimental or investigational'. Chris's doctor totally scoffed at that since this drug has been used for this purpose for TEN YEARS. The hospital is still negotiating with that company, so we are still waiting for the verdict.
Aaaaaaand, Chris went today for his fifth treatment . . . this time under our new insurance, Independence Blue Cross. No idea what to expect from them. I'm hoping, being another BC company, they will be able to work things out as well as Anthem did.
Now I have to contact the company that gives financial aid for this treatment. If approved, we can get $400 or more toward each treatment. Fingers crossed on this!!!
[Edit to add]
Well, crap. Just called the company about the financial assistance stuff. They will only cover treatments up to two weeks prior to enrolling in the program. Would've been nice if someone had told us that back when we started this!!! But, no, his doctor didn't even tell him about this program. When he went for his treatment, the hospital told him the program existed and gave him pamphlets and an application. That's it. There is NOTHING in the paperwork about a two week deadline. Somewhere in there I read that eligibility was for patients starting or already receiving treatment. Guess I interpreted that to mean you could sign up at any time during your treatment. Not.
So, we won't get any financial assistance for those first four treatments, but the one he did today, and any future treatments (of which there will be several) are eligible. *sigh*
Of course, this was the company that had 'requested additional info' from the hospital and hadn't gotten it and so said we weren't responsible for any charges until this was cleared up. The other insurance company, Aetna, flat out denied most of the claim on the basis that the drug is considered 'experimental or investigational'. Chris's doctor totally scoffed at that since this drug has been used for this purpose for TEN YEARS. The hospital is still negotiating with that company, so we are still waiting for the verdict.
Aaaaaaand, Chris went today for his fifth treatment . . . this time under our new insurance, Independence Blue Cross. No idea what to expect from them. I'm hoping, being another BC company, they will be able to work things out as well as Anthem did.
Now I have to contact the company that gives financial aid for this treatment. If approved, we can get $400 or more toward each treatment. Fingers crossed on this!!!
[Edit to add]
Well, crap. Just called the company about the financial assistance stuff. They will only cover treatments up to two weeks prior to enrolling in the program. Would've been nice if someone had told us that back when we started this!!! But, no, his doctor didn't even tell him about this program. When he went for his treatment, the hospital told him the program existed and gave him pamphlets and an application. That's it. There is NOTHING in the paperwork about a two week deadline. Somewhere in there I read that eligibility was for patients starting or already receiving treatment. Guess I interpreted that to mean you could sign up at any time during your treatment. Not.
So, we won't get any financial assistance for those first four treatments, but the one he did today, and any future treatments (of which there will be several) are eligible. *sigh*