Insurance Tips for Chemotherapy Treatment
Medical insurance and bill management can be among
the most frustrating aspects of cancer care for
you and your caregivers. Most hospitals and clinics
will provide a patient services representative
to assist you. Identify these individuals and seek
their help whenever necessary. Here are some additional
things you can do to help:1
- Get a copy of your insurance policy and find
out exactly what your coverage includes. Your
employer or insurance company can help you
with this.
- Call your health insurance provider to clarify
any questions that you have. Also make sure
you are aware of any possible coverage issues
before you start treatment.
- Talk to your healthcare team to request
that insurance coverage of any procedure, test,
or treatment be verified prior to your receiving
them. If your healthcare team is unable to
provide this service, they should be able to
identify an alternative resource to assist
you.
- Keep careful records of all your covered
expenses, claims, denials, and appeals throughout
the claims process. Do not throw away any correspondence.
- Take notes during your conversations with
insurance representatives. Include their names
and job titles. Keep these notes with your
records. If you think the representative is
wrong, ask to speak with their supervisor.
- If you have a claim that has been denied,
talk with your health insurance provider to
find out what steps you can take to appeal.
Insurance terminology can be confusing, especially
during a time when you are focused on your treatment
and goals of therapy. For assistance, visit
Agencyinfo.net for a glossary of insurance terms.
Insurance Reimbursement for a Wig
Wigs may be covered by insurance;2 however, getting reimbursement
is not always easy. Find out what your insurer's specific requirements
are for reimbursement. Make sure you understand the process for submitting
claims.
By keeping track of expenses and deducting qualified items on your tax
returns, you may be able to partially recover some of the out-of-pocket
medical expenses not covered by your insurance. Find out
how to handle medical costs on your tax returns.
1. Health insurance and financial assistance for the cancer patient. American Cancer Society website. Updated June 8, 2009. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MLT/content/MLT_1x_Medical_Insurance_and_Financial_
Assistance_for_the_Cancer_Patient.asp?sitearea=&level=1. Accessed May 17, 2010.
2. What can I do about hair loss? American Cancer Society website. Updated December 23, 2008. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_2_3X_What_Can_I_Do_About_Hair_
Loss.asp?sitearea=MBC. Accessed May 17, 2010.
Understanding Cancer –
Chemotherapy Side Effects –
Treating Cancer in Other Ways
Tracking Your Test Results –
Understanding Insurance and Tax Issues
Chemotherapy Resources and Organizations –
Register for Programs
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