Article 5exists to help people when they become ill. Unfortunately, manypeople are finding that their policies are being cancelled when theyare diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer.
Inmany cases, people with cancer may find themselves unable to work. Asa result, insurance companies are canceling their policies. Withoutinsurance coverage, there is little hope that cancer patients will beable to afford the treatment needed to defeat their disease.
IfYour Insurance is Cancelled
Ifyou are facing cancer treatment without medical insurance, discussany cost-related worries with your doctor, the hospital socialworker, and the hospital's business office before you begintreatment. They doctor may be able to recommend alternativetreatments, the social worker can lead you to outside resources tohelp with payment, and the business office can set up a plan to workwith you.
MaintainingHealth Insurance During Cancer Treatments
Thefollowing tips can help you to maintain health while undergoing treatment for cancer:
Considerhealth insurance alternatives before you begin treatment (e.g.,switching to your spouse's policy).
DoNOT quit your job until you have located an affordable insurancecompany that covers people with pre-existing conditions.
Someplans only cover pre-existing conditions after 12 months ofcoverage. Read the fine print, and make sure your old coveragedoesn't lapse before the new coverage goes into effect.
GettingYour Insurance Company to Pay for Your Cancer Treatments
Thefollowing tips will help you get the most from your insurancecoverage:
Obtaina copy of your insurance policy prior to treatment and find outexactly what your coverage includes.
Keepcareful records of all your covered expenses and claims.
Fileclaims for all covered costs.
Gethelp in filing a claim if you need it. If friends or family can?thelp, ask a social worker.
Ifyour claim is denied, find out why and file your claim again. Askyour doctor to explain to the company why the services meet therequirements for coverage under your policy. If you are turned downagain, find out if the company has an appeals process.
Ifyou believe your claim has been unjustly denied, file an appeal.
Lobbyingfor Change
companies should be more sensitive to the delicate, and sometimesdire situations of cancer patients. If you feel that your insurancecompany has treated you unfairly, call your state insurancecommissioner. If your policy was cancelled, write a letter to yourCongressman asking for help with enacting legislation that wouldforce insurance companies to offer insurance premium forgiveness tocancer patients. Help put an end to unacceptable insurance practices.
References
HenryJ: GettingCancer: Understanding the Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.San Clemente, CA: Shining Lion Publications, 2008.
