THE STRESS OF COST
I knew it was coming; at some point we were going to get smacked with a number that would stop us dead in our tracks. Of course, I get these calls because I am the patient - even though, I'm not the primary card holder for the insurance. I would rather not know how much anything cost - let Joe work it out with the insurance and co-pays, etc. The call came from the oncologist office in Porter Ranch. The receptionist told me the insurance has cleared everything except one thing, Neulasta. This is the injection that will enable me to go to work; it boosts white blood cell count to give my immune system a fighting chance to ward off germs from other people. $7,000 for each injection every three weeks. That is sobering. The receptionist said that she didn't have the word from the insurance company as to how much they are paying IF they are paying at all. She gave me a website, AMGEN First Step, to go look at just in case the insurance doesn't cover it or if we have a huge co-pay we can't manager. If we qualify AMGEN will cover the cost or co-pay. Joe kept bringing up the VA and getting the treatment from them and I was very resistant and told him I didn't want to get any care from the VA for my cancer! But, if there is going to be an issue getting this injection covered or paid for, I will call my provider at the VA and see if she will set me up to get it there. She has been very supportive and said to keep her updated in the event the insurance fell through at any point. I think it's best to meet with the VA oncologist and get everything ready to go if I need it. I know the rest of the bills are going to be tough, as well. We have only received two; one for all of the scans and imaging and one for Dr. Schmit. I covered the 400 dollar co-pay and left the 100 dollar one for Joe. I sure hope he paid it. (Note: I just asked him if he paid it and he said "No". This has happened over and over. That's why I went back to treatment at the VA! There were so many left over bills from treatment at UCLA that he said he would take care of and never did! I got calls from collection agencies and paid them with what I could our of my VA disability compensation check. Please don't do this again, JOE!).
The receptionist at pre-registration called and we went over a few administrative things for the procedure on Wednesday. She told me I had about 600 dollars of co-pay left and did I want to pay something on that now? After the co-pay is completely paid off then the insurance will cover 100 percent. I declined to pay anything. I have never been asked for co-pay money up front before.
If I work to solely pay co-pays - if every nickel I earn has to go to co-pays, its worth it and that is exactly what I will do.
I am almost finished with the saliva test for Dr. McCann - I can't wait to have some Green Tea!!!! Two days without and I am done with warm water and honey, warm water with lemon and just plain warm water! I hope the terrible head cold I have will not affect the outcome. I have done everything the doctor wanted me to do - now, it's his turn to take it and make me strong enough to endure chemo and radiation without being depleted or damaged. I am putting faith in Joe and Dr. McCann that God has moved us to him and will be working through him. I believe in this part of homeopathic medicine and really do not want to be disappointed - for me and for Joe's sake.
My mood has been more somber. Creeping into deep somber more every day. Any time my mind starts to wander about the future; going into the unknown and imagining all sorts of future events, I am snapped back to the here and now. Present and immediate future. This just saddens me. I have been a dreamer. Look far into the future and imagine different outcomes. I can't do that right now - maybe never again. All the calls involving money is distressing. I have to let it all go and trust in God that it will be okay.
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