robinsonmeyerJun 23, 2023
olivierlacan

My family is struggling due to a recent breast cancer diagnosis and the monster of health profiteering reared its ugly head on day one.

Boostable Request: Do you anyone who might know if any solid cancer center in the US will accept a breast cancer patient without insurance?

Is it best to push through to get COBRA activated? Any way to start with cash payments first? Any other tips?

Context: both spouses are jobless & COBRA coverage activation is dragging.

#cancer #breastcancer

Jun 23, 2023 at 3:45pmWeb
Show threadolivierlacanJun 23, 2023

More context: imaging & biopsies (incl. tactical) done; came back positive w/ regional spread to axiliary lymph nodes.

Looks (to me) like early-ish stage ductal carcinoma w/ so far no evidence of spread beyond one breast & nearest lymph nodes.

Meetings scheduled next week w/ good local surgeons but unclear yet if it’ll be possible to schedule anything without active COBRA coverage.

Patient is ready for surgery but not clear to them yet if and when chemo & radio will be needed, etc.

Show threadBenoitJun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan je ne savais pas. Plein de courage à toi. 🫂
Show threadolivierlacanJun 23, 2023

@benoit Fort heureusement ça n’a pas l’air d’être héréditaire mais ma femme va quand même vérifier régulièrement avec une mammographie.

Merci 🙂

Show threadCharles EngelkeJun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan FWIW my wife had similar cancer 18 years ago (doing fine now!) and Central Georgia Cancer Care in Macon GA. It's affiliated with Mercer U and not rapacious. Don't know about the insurance stuff, but if you can get any it will at least negotiate better prices for you.
Show threadolivierlacanJun 24, 2023
@engelke thanks for that, it definitely helps to know this and have so positive perspective.
Show threadStephen Bannasch (316 ppm)Jun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan In Massachusetts you can get MassHealth (Medicaid) if your income is low enough. The income calculation is based on your current income, NOT for example based on your income while you were employed. It might be similar in your state.
Show threadolivierlacanJun 23, 2023
@stepheneb Given the relevant state is Florida I’m not convinced but we’ll check. Thanks.
Show threadStephen Bannasch (316 ppm)Jun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan and if the situation gets truly dire you could move to MA and apply.
Show threadPete KeenJun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan push COBRA. Your election can be retroactive for 45 days.
Show threadPete KeenJun 23, 2023
@olivierlacan sorry, 60 days.
Show threadolivierlacanJun 23, 2023
@zrail Thanks. That was my instinct but some family members wanted to check.
Show threadDan Pomerantz (he/him)Jun 24, 2023
@olivierlacan are you eligible for #ACA exchange policy coverage? It may be more affordable than COBRA.
Show threadolivierlacanJun 24, 2023
@dhpomerantz Yes we signed them up for it but it won’t take effect until July 1st.
Show threadalwillisJun 24, 2023

@olivierlacan
I can totally recommend Dana-Farber in Boston (https://www.dana-farber.org). Let's put this way—I wouldn't be alive today without them.

Regarding insurance, I've had great care whether I had insurance or not since I've been a patient. They're used to people coming from all over the country, so it's worth giving them a call.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Cancer Treatment and Research in Boston, MA

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, is a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. Our oncologists and cancer researchers practice and develop some of the most advanced cancer treatments in the world.