Are you getting cancer treatments during COVID-19?

@merpreb @gingerw @colleenyoung
I've read that PCPs (and probably specialists, as well) are in trouble financially due to the shelter-in-place practice, despite some televisits and email exchanges. This brings to mind the question, do insurance companies and Medicare allow them to bill for such work? Does anyone know?

@colleenyoung I had a blood test scheduled for this Friday at the local Mayo Family Clinic and called today to check to see the status and if it might be cancelled or if I should still come in. The appointment nurse said they were cancelling all non emergency appointments due to the COVID-19 situation so they can focus all of their resources on emergency type care. She also said they are thinking 6 to 8 weeks until appointments can be rescheduled. On the bright side...gives me more time to work on lowering my weight and my HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and A1C numbers 🙂

I have brain radiation this week at Mayo in Florida. Tomorrow is the simulation (3 hour appointment) and Tuesday is the radiation. I need to take Ativan to keep me still during these procedures which means I need a driver. My neighbor is taking me both days but I am afraid to be so close to him in the car that I will be wearing a mask. I am going to have him stay outside on the campus to keep him safe while I am inside. I did have my labs, PA,infusions last week and no one wore a mask.

Mayo (in Florida) has opened their testing to any Mayo patient. Unfortunately as of yesterday, they were not testing the doctor's or nurses who btw, were NOT wearing masks.

My dad has his monthly infusion of a monoclonal antibody for multiple myeloma next week at Mayo Jacksonville. We are concerned about being exposed to so many people during this day long treatment. Does anyone know if masks are available at the front door of the Mangurian Building right when you walk in? Or can I go to the pharmacy on the main floor of the Davis building to see if we can buy masks?

@seaspray- How did you handle riding in the car with your neighbor? Did you sit in the back seat?

Merry - I rode in the front seat, the back seats were about the same distance.

Hi, Dave Foster. The Mangurian building is the cancer building at Mayo, Jacksonville, and is separate from the hospital. They have a check point table at the entrance, but I did not see masks available. But you could ask for one there, if you don't have your own. Is your Dad getting IgG infusions? Welcome! I hope everything goes well you him!

Yeah, I've been to Mangurian several times. No mask was provided to my stepmom when she went for her onc. appts. there this week. She does not have symptoms. She did not ask for a mask. She does not think she needs one.The mask wearing evidence and guidelines are confusing. I found one of these in our first aid supplies. A "Curad antiviral mask". Thinking about having my dad use it on infusion day. Still wondering if it causes more harm than help as he has no symptoms, is not coughing, etc. Yes, he is infusing Daratumumab which I understand is an IgG1k monoclonal antibody. This will be his 42 infusion with this medicine. A miracle "cure" that is apparently allowing him to auto-immunize against the cancer cells.

I have been doing tele-med appointments with my nephrologist for 5 years because of distance. I have recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of my pancreatic cancer. Radiation treatments began last Thursday. I have 5 treatments a week. My wife came with me Tuesday because I met with my doctor after radiation. I heard today that she will no longer be allowed to enter the hospital as a visitor. Only patients will be allowed in.