I received a phone call yesterday from my insurance company. They will not pay for the chemo if Gus receives the Taxotere. It is in case studies and the results are promising, but because it is not a standard approved drug for pancreatic cancer, the insurance will not pay. I asked the insurance representative if the physician who made this judgement call specialized in pancreatic cancer like the medical oncologist in Seattle. Her answer was to avoid the question. I did thank her, though, for making sure we knew before Gus started. It is nothing to have a bill for $3000.00 for one two-hour session in the infusion room. You can imagine the dollars when another chemo is added to that. Two weeks of the chemo tablet was $1,720.00. Thank God for the day the owners of JDL Construction decided to give their employees health insurance.
Gus talked to the doctor today and next Tuesday, Gus will only receive the Gemzar in the infusion room, not both as previously thought. The doctor is challenging the insurance company to try and get them to approve the Taxatere. I am sure he will get Dr. Whiting in Seattle involved. The doctor hopes by the next cycle, they will get approval for all three chemos. The worst that can happen is you just don't take all three.
No comments:
Post a Comment