Tests for blood cancer ...the bills!!

Also... I dont understand why s.s. deducts hundreds of dollars each month for Medicare, then my blood tests cost 5x more. Is this a Mayo norm?? I realize this is a billing topic...but I'm being screened for MGUS.

@dazlin Before you get too upset, wait to see what your supplemental insurance covers. This concerns me, too, because at the end of this month I have to get my semi-annual bloodwork for MGUS, also. It will be my first round of bloodwork on Medicare.
Ginger

@gingerw , I'm going over every test. I'll keep you informed. Best to you!

A recent patient of Memorial Sloan Kettering, I had a series of advanced genetic tests. $17k and my co-pay was $1,600. I'm already sick, but this took me to the edge! Very disturbed....
A friend of mine has an incurable form of chronic leukemia. His meds are $13k/mo.
Our political "leaders" are more busy fundraising and not dealing with big pharma and killing us all.

The cost of treatment and the inability of some patients to cover those costs.........is just an added stressor that makes people sicker and it's everywhere. It's unforgiveable on the part of the insurance industry, the Congress and the medical and pharmaceutical industry. I've seen two people DIE because they couldn't afford care and they were middle class family and friends. This is a very real and terrible part of the current medical system. I won't say more. Once I get started on this subject I can't be stopped....

@dazlin I think dealing with billing is one of the hardest parts of cancer. We are so worn out and matching EOBs to hospital bills can be so frustrating. I have found billing people at most helpful in explaining. If you have strait Medicare and no supplement, you owe 80% after a deductible typically. But if you have supplemental or a Medicare advantage plan, it would cover most of that. I'd call billing and ask them to walk you through it. Sometimes you get a bill when your insurance company does, but it is not for payment, just information. Your final bill for payment should show what Medicare paid and what you then owe and it should match the EOB (estimation of benefits) sent by Medicare or your supplemental company. The best advice is to ask a trusted friend or family member to handle this for you so you can not have the added stress. They can sign in to your insurance and/or Medicare and look at everything. Best of luck during this trying time.

@cindylb I totally understand your frustration and I have seen similar cases. But it’s the system we have to work with right now. We could all use her voices and those of our friends and family to fight for better, but I think supporting each other in figuring out how to navigate what we’re dealing with is the best way to cope in meantime. It’s ridiculous that we have to, but it’s what we have at the moment.

Just wanted to report back...I got a check from Medicare. Seems they sent the money to me, then i have to send the payments in. I'm honestly not sure if its 80 percent of the bill, it's too much paperwork to figure out. Hubby said just pay it, and it should balance out at some point. I dont understand all deductables, etc...and yet my S.S has dropped because of Medicare. There were also minor tests like manganese, think glucose, and 2 others they dont cover...i paid for those too.
Now my primary dr wants to do an annual blood test but i see some are repeats of what i just had, some I'm not taking it. I already showed him my current results, and only need a cholesterol test. I'm afraid Medicare wont cover another blood test...so I'll ask him again to just check what wasn't done. I agree with all of you about the added stress....i freak out when i see Mayo's mail.

@dazlin Good for you! Looking over all your bills sent and bloodwork requests will be beneficial for you. I went on Medicare in July, and prior to that had private insurance. For many years there are things that have been monitored every three or six months. Now to convince Medicare that these tests are indeed needed. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Ginger

I have Medicare and have HealthNet as my secondary. My lab copays are $12. Sometimes ther is a copay for the lab work and a copay for having the blood drawn.
Also, sometimes the first of the year bills might be higher in order to meet the yearly deduction.
Talk to your secondary insurance. You might not have their best policy for your situation.