How does one begin to get treatment out of state with insurance?

I'm sorry to hear that.

Here in Canada, I know I could never move out of Ontario now, except to another rich province like Alberta or *maybe* B.C. (borderline), because smaller or less-affluent provinces just don't have the same world-class cancer care. Heck, even in Ontario, I couldn't go far from the largest cities (1M+ population).

If I had something simple, like stage 1 cancer with (say) Gleason 8, a regional cancer centre in any province could give me a prostatectomy or radiation and put me on ADT, but keeping me alive and healthy with stage 4 oligometastatic cancer requires a well-funded system that attracts top research scientists and practitioners working on the cutting edge of cancer treatment, and I probably couldn't get that somewhere like New Brunswick or Saskatchewan, despite what are no doubt caring, dedicated, caring health teams there. 😢

What kind of insurance do you currently have? Are you on traditional Medicare? Medicare Advantage? Work-based? Obamacare?

My experience is with Obamacare. If you're actually planning to move to the state where your chosen cancer center is, you should be able to apply for Obamacare immediately, as long as you do so within 60 days of moving (and as long as you were insured before moving). I haven't actually tried this myself.

When my cancer recurred two years ago (conveniently during open enrollment) I decided to get the most expensive option on the exchange because it had some out-of-network coverage. This is very expensive even if you stay in network, and even more expensive if you go out of network (there are separate deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for in-network and out-of-network, and the out-of-network one is very high. If I really maxed out medical care in one year, I could probably spend $50,000 in one year. But that's better than a million. This did get me an appointment at Sloan-Kettering, which is out-of-state and network for me. I'm not sure they would have let me in otherwise, at least not without jumping through a bunch of hoops.

At one point I called Sloan-Kettering to ask what Obamacare plans they were in-network for, and the person said "none", even for NYC residents, which I found shocking. I almost doubt this is true. But make sure to check with your chosen cancer center what insurance they take.

Are you going to a for-profit cancer center? You might like an academic medical center better.

I have Medicare plus an AARP supplement and so far, all of my medical bills from another state are paid without any problems.

I too have supplemental insurance through AARP. I have been able (so far) to change doctors when I did not feel comfortable with the first. As far as I know, it is best to see if the clinic/doctor/hospital you wish to go to accepts your form of insurance. Then it is a matter of also double checking with your specific insurance company. In my case, someone made some calls for me, and found I was covered to seek guidance and care out of state. I found another doctor however, in my city though a suggestion on this forum. It is a teaching hospital and the doctor I switched to is a specialist in my form of cancer. Hope you find a better doctor. I know what it is like to go to someone you are uncomfortable with.

@nannybb Thank you. I’m going to try to find out how to get that insurance. I’m glad you have someone to help you find a specialist. I tried looking up different oncology doctors around here but didn’t seem
to find anything.

@katrina123 thank you. I’m going to look this up.

@anon0 https://www.carcinoid.org/for-patients/treatment/find-a-doctor/ This is the sight I was directed to. Hope it helps!

Hopefully the link I sent you will benefit you as well. 🤞

@nannybb May I ask you something. Do you have Medicaid plus aarp? I’m trying to find out more about it. It appears to be for people with disabilities or low income which I have. I’m wondering does it cover many providers or is it limited in who will accept it? I was hoping to see some specialists. Thank you.

I am insurance poor. I have the best United Healthcare supplemental because I was afraid I would eventually get breast cancer. It runs in my family. I'm not sure how much longer I can pay for it. I think some of the care you receive on what you are asking, depends on if you are legally disabled, what state you live in, what your actual income is, and lastly, what your diagnosis happens to be. I have a friend who is disabled, has a multitude of health issues, lives in Fl. is on Medicare and Medicaid and a supplemental plan and can see pretty much whomever her GP refers her to. She is honestly dirt poor. She has had to deal with all three agencies at different times to get the care she is receiving today. Does that help at all?
Also, there is a Medicare website. MEDICARE BENIFITS ONLINE with a phone # (888) 458-5213