CancerCompass message board discussion started by CHAMP64 on 4/27/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23478,0.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi,I have just been diagnosed with melanoma.The dr went very deep to remove a moe and said i needed surgery.I was all set tohave it when my insurance company denied it.They will not budge. The hospital said they would do the surgery but not unless i came up with $6,000.00.Any ideas on hwat i could do to have this surgery?Any place where i could go for help?The places i have contacted have said they won't  help with the surgery.Any information would be greatly appreciated.    CHAMP64 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/27/2008 CHAMP64 wrote:HI,I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA.THE DR WENT VERY DEEP TO REMOVE A MOE AND SAID I NEEDED SURGERY.I WAS ALL SET TOHAVE IT WHEN MY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED IT.THEY WILL NOT BUDGE. THE HOSPITAL SAID THEY WOULD DO THE SURGERY BUT NOT UNLESS I CAME UP WITH $6,000.00.ANY IDEAS ON HWAT I COULD DO TO HAVE THIS SURGERY?ANY PLACE WHERE I COULD GO FOR HELP?THE PLACES I HAVE CONTACTED HAVE SAID THEY WON'T  HELP WITH THE SURGERY.ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.   Sorry to hear about you having problems with your Insurance, thats all you need to have to deal with right now. What state do you live in and what Hospitals have you tried? 4 Given Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I wish I could help other than prayers and to tell you that I understand.  I have had 3 melanoma surgeries in the last 5 years.  HOW can those people sleep at night knowing they have declined you?  I am having same problems with my insurance (now with thyroid cancer)---and I'm appealing.  Have you gone through the appeal process?   The surgeon should help you with that.  My doctor wrote a "letter of necessity" and faxed it to the insurance company.  Where is your melanoma site?   The BEST of luck to you.  Let us know.  Tara YaYaTara Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/27/2008 4 Given wrote: On 4/27/2008 CHAMP64 wrote:HI,I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA.THE DR WENT VERY DEEP TO REMOVE A MOE AND SAID I NEEDED SURGERY.I WAS ALL SET TOHAVE IT WHEN MY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED IT.THEY WILL NOT BUDGE. THE HOSPITAL SAID THEY WOULD DO THE SURGERY BUT NOT UNLESS I CAME UP WITH $6,000.00.ANY IDEAS ON HWAT I COULD DO TO HAVE THIS SURGERY?ANY PLACE WHERE I COULD GO FOR HELP?THE PLACES I HAVE CONTACTED HAVE SAID THEY WON'T  HELP WITH THE SURGERY.ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.   Sorry to hear about you having problems with your Insurance, thats all you need to have to deal with right now. What state do you live in and what Hospitals have you tried? Hi, thanks for ansewering.I live in new orleans, la. I have tried ochsner which is where the surgeon is located. He is trying to help. He mentioned something about going to another city. I also have heard and am trying to find out more about university hospital here in n.o.\funny they all tell you how to make donations to help those in need but they don't help theose in need. Gale     CHAMP64 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thanks and i can use all the prayers i can get.You are right it is enough to deal with cancer but to add this to it!!!!!!!!!!Gale    CHAMP64 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Gale,I am so sorry for what you are going through.  It infuriates me every time I hear about a situation like this.  On my mother's chart at the cancer center there is a neon pink paper on the front cover that says "medicare only".  I often wonder if her treatment would be different if she had the best insurance in the world and a million dollars.  Do you mind if I ask what the reason for denial was?  Do they think it is not medically necessary?  I would definately go through the appeal process and be on the phone with the insurance company.  The social services dept. at the hospital can usually suggest different organizations to contact and also try contacting the American Cancer Society.  My prayers are with you and please keep us updated.Liz liznj Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT What is the name of your insurance company??  Everyone should know.  What reason are they giving you??  I've never heard where an insurance company won't cover surgery needed for initial cancer treatment.  Most do not cover what would be considered experimental treatments or therapy but that is hardly considered experimental.  There should be some agency or someone you would be able to contact.  I would come down hard on that insurance company particuarly if having this surgery can evoke a chance of cure, otherwise, they will have to pay for all the costly treatments that will occur when the cancer takes hold.  Everyone knows if cancer is not treated early it will spread.  Leemg Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Please get in touch with a lawyer, they will tell you whether your insurance company is legally able to deny you treatment. There are many class action suits against Insurance Companies denying treatment.Also get in touch with your State Senator, and Consumer Advocates. Geri28 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT