Chemo/Radiation Co-Pays

I was diagnosed three weeks ago with invasive breast cancer of the milk ducts.  I had surgery Friday and the path report came back clear.  Because both my estrogen and progesterin receptors were negative, I was told I need chemo, followed by 6 weeks of radiation.

Luckily, I got on my husband's insurance after losing my job in November.  I've been paying $20 co-pays to doctors and a co-pay to have two surgeries.

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield through the Dept. of Labor.  Can someone tell me whether or not (most) doctors will charge a co-pay for each time you go for radiation?  If so, do they work with you?  Six weeks of radiation at $20 a pop is $600.00, which might as well be $6,000.

Also, does the same go for cancer treatments?  $20 each time you go in?  I won't know till I see the oncologist on Monday what my chemo regimen/schedule is.

I realize I am very fortunate that not only did they catch the cancer early, but that I have insurance, but I have creditors calling me 25 times a day, 7 days a week (for 4-1/2 months), ready to sue me because I have not been able to pay my bills since I lost my job, and am very stressed out about the finances.  Thanks for any help any of you can give me. 

Cathy

I don't blame you for being stressed out - you should not have to worry about bills on top of all your treatments.

I had the exact same diagnosis - 4 years ago and today - so far - I am fine.

I am from British Columbia, Canada and everything for cancer is paid for by our medical services plan (goverment run).

Still, as a single mother with a mortgage I was off work for a year and could not pay my mortgage.  My friends arranged a silent auction and dinner and raised enough for me to live on.  That took away a lot of the extra stress.

I wish you the best of luck - but have faith in your friends and family and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  People come together in a time of need. 

Cathy J -

I'm so sorry that you have lost your job but am glad that you were able to get on your husband's insurance. I don't know about BC/BS but with my insurance, I just paid one co-pay at the initial consulation for the radiation oncologist and then just show up for each of my radiation treatments without additional payments. I see the doctor once a week and then see his visit submitted to insurance without additional co-pay. So far, every doctor, surgeon and service has been very good about working with me on paying the bills. I also paid another co-pay for the medical oncologist but didn't end up getting chemo so I can't attest to that process.

On another note, do you have a consumer counselor service available in your area? They can typically talk to your creditors and get them to not only lower their interest rates but can sometimes get them to stop calling you. This will help with your stress level and let you and your husband concentrate on healing.

TAM

Thanks for the info.  I guess each doctor and ins. plan is different so I'll just have to hope for the best and if they won't take payments when I have some money, I'll just have to start from scratch and search for different doctors.

Good idea re the credit counseling . . . some of my creditors said they'd set up a "payment plan" for me, but if I have no money to make payments, that does me no good.  My husband just makes enough to pay what we need, nothing more.

Thanks again for the info.

 Cathy

Hi,

 I too had to have radiation and chemo.  The cancer center I initially went to did the chemo.  I am retired and have Humana for coverage. they pay a certain amount and chemo is alot. They pay ok but not all and I just told the hospital that I would have to make payments. Tell them your situation and a social worker may be able to help you as you are not working. As far as the radiation, I had to pay $30 each time I went because the radiation wasn`t in the hospital. Had it been in the hospital I wouldn`t have had to pay each time. But a 45 minute ride to the hospital and radiation took 10 minutes each time. Your husbands coverage may be different. check it out. but do look into the hospital or cancer center for treatments and the social worker there,they can help you.

 Good luck,
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