We are traveling to Boston next week so I can be "mapped'' and otherwise prepared for the "cyberknife'' therapy, which sends big doses of extremely focused radiation into the tumor with the idea of killing, or at least shrinking, it.
I am tentatively scheduled to have the treatment over three days the following week, but one big question remains: how will it be paid for?
The initial reaction of the insurance company to the plan was "nyet.'' The rationale is that they consider the therapy experimental and therefore not worth doing.
The staff of our Boston radiologist said that is frequently the initial reaction of many private insurers (Medicare routinely covers it) to the idea, but that they come around after more intense consultations with the docs. They say they have figures to show the therapy is indeed worthwhile.
We hope that is the case this time, although there is a chance that the tug of war might push back the treatment schedule.
After watching a "60 Minutes'' piece last night that estimated Medicare fraud runs into tens of billions of dollars a year, it's frustrating to be caught up in something like this.
I haven't had the nerve to ask yet how much the procedure costs.
Took a bike around around town today. Not many things prettier than just-ast-ther peak foliage on a crisp, clear day.
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Maybe if we cut down on part of the $850B in wasted health care costs per year, you could get the treatment you need AND deserve.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/u-s-healthcare-system-wastes-850b-year-report-says/2009-10-26?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
Cyberknife? That would be a good super hero name for you.
ReplyDeleteI've heard from a doctor pal of mine that that's a common first response to procedures that are often approved later. Best of luck, my man. I hope to see you tomorrow.