First mammogram tomorrow and just found out that our insurance

[luvwinnie]

does not cover the "consult" afterwards...and won't cover any immediate further testing. My friend went and was told she needed an ultrasound, but under our policy she would have to get a new referral from her dr. first. This just seems wrong to me...you could be wasting valuable time. Anyone else have such a problem?

 

[AllyandJack]

My mom just had an mammogram and they found a 3mm lesion on her right breast. Her insurance company won't pay for anything except another mammogram - in SIX months!

In other events, my cousin who is on welfare didn't have any problem getting a blood test, a consult when they found low iron and then an ultrasound scheduled within a week.

My mother has opted to pay for her own ultrasound and consultations because even if the insurance company doesn't care, SHE cares what the lesion is and doesn't think she should have to wait 6 months to find out if she has cancer.

 

[luvwinnie]

That is horrible! If they found a lesion they should pay for whatever the dr. deems necessary!

 

[tar heel]

That is totally ridiculous. I hear stories like this and wonder how people can possibly be against a national health plan for any reasons other than $. People say things like "You can't choose the doctor you want." Well, I don't know many people now who can choose any doc they want unless they choose to pay extra.

We're paying $50 a month for the next year and a half b/c my dh went to a pain clinic in our insurance plan, naturally assuming that the doctor there was also in our plan. Oops -- the clinic but not the doctor was covered.

I have some moles that need to be removed, but the only dermatolgist group in our town is not part of our insurance. I can drive 20 miles and have it done, but that's so much more trouble that I've not gotten around to it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Nancy]

That is why I still owe 208.00 from my last mammogram over 1 yr ago...almost 2 yrs now because my insurance won't cover anything other then the actual test. If you talk to the doctor after..they don't cover any of it. I had that done and an ultrasound for another problem and I'm still paying for it....thank God it wasn't cancer because who knows what I would be paying.

It costs tons of money for insurance, but when you need it there are so many restrictions, it's almost a joke. I think mammograms should be free for every woman once a yr and every 6 months if there is a past history of cancer.

 

[C.Ann]

My DD's DH just had a major battle with their insurance carrier over my DD's hospitalization.. It's a complicated story, but bascially they were refusing to pay for her current hospitalization.. Her DH began the appeals process - while I contacted the HEAD of the hospital - and within 6 hours, the insurance company agreed to pay..

Do what you have to - fight like heck - and file an appeal..

"The squeaky wheel gets the oil.."

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I think mammograms should be free for every woman once a yr and every 6 months if there is a past history of cancer.

ITA

I know I am young (about to be 26 in 20 days),but I already have a bad feeling that breast cancer is going to hit me square between the eyes. My mother's had it, my mom's sister (aunt) had a double mastectomy because of it AND my mom's mom (grandmother)had it also. So it's going to get me whether I want it to or not. If I had MY way, I'd be getting mammograms now, but insurance wouldn't pay for it.

TOV