1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

Tests for blood cancer ...the bills!!

Posted by dazlin @dazlin, Dec 7, 2018

I've been getting blood tests through Mayo Clinic to monitor MGUS. I recently became covered by Medicare. My bill has jumped up to near $500 per blood test. I also have a secondary insurance to be submitted. This leaves me with close to $1,000 a year for bloodwork only!! I dont get it!!
I cant do this to be watched with no treatment. Yes, I have made several calls in about this matter...I'm not getting anywhere. I really think, since I cannot afford such payments, I will have drop out. Mayo has been my best care ever...but it doesn't make sense that my fees goes from $60 to $500 because I'm on on Medicare?? So sad...I'm on my own because I cant have mayo watch me.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

janetlen | @janetlen | Apr 25 9:53am
In reply to @ckeys "@Dazlin I think dealing with billing is one of the hardest parts of cancer. We are..." + (show)
@ckeys

@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.

Jump to this post

How have things turned out for you? Has Medicare denied claims?

REPLY
1 reply
amberl99 | @amberl99 | Apr 25 9:59am
In reply to @janetlen "How have things turned out for you? Has Medicare denied claims?" + (show)
@janetlen

How have things turned out for you? Has Medicare denied claims?

Jump to this post

I go on Medicare in 11 months. I’m quite nervous about what they will deny. Right now I pay ten grand for my insurance buts it’s great insurance.

REPLY
janetlen | @janetlen | Apr 25 10:00am
In reply to @gingerw "@dazlin Good for you! Looking over all your bills sent and bloodwork requests will be beneficial..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

Jump to this post

How have things turned out for you?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 25 10:43am
In reply to @janetlen "How have things turned out for you?" + (show)
@janetlen

How have things turned out for you?

Jump to this post

@janetlen I realize the post you are referring to is 7 years old. Thank you for asking!

In the time since, my health journey has been an interesting one. I live with daily dialysis done here at home, and am under treatment for multiple myeloma.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
janetlen | @janetlen | Apr 25 1:23pm
In reply to @gingerw "@janetlen I realize the post you are referring to is 7 years old. Thank you for..." + (show)
@gingerw

@janetlen I realize the post you are referring to is 7 years old. Thank you for asking!

In the time since, my health journey has been an interesting one. I live with daily dialysis done here at home, and am under treatment for multiple myeloma.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Yes, I always forget to go to the last page. I wish the sort order was reversed. I was wondering how Medicare turned out for you. Were you ever denied? Sorry to hear that you have daily dialysis. Like me you have an incurable blood cancer. Are you also on Revlimid? Are the kidney issues a result of the disease and/or the treatment?

REPLY
2 replies
janetlen | @janetlen | Apr 25 1:26pm
In reply to @janetlen "Yes, I always forget to go to the last page. I wish the sort order was..." + (show)
@janetlen

Yes, I always forget to go to the last page. I wish the sort order was reversed. I was wondering how Medicare turned out for you. Were you ever denied? Sorry to hear that you have daily dialysis. Like me you have an incurable blood cancer. Are you also on Revlimid? Are the kidney issues a result of the disease and/or the treatment?

Jump to this post

Yes Ginger, I know there is an option to change the sort order. I just forget to do it. (Lol)

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 25 10:18pm
In reply to @janetlen "Yes, I always forget to go to the last page. I wish the sort order was..." + (show)
@janetlen

Yes, I always forget to go to the last page. I wish the sort order was reversed. I was wondering how Medicare turned out for you. Were you ever denied? Sorry to hear that you have daily dialysis. Like me you have an incurable blood cancer. Are you also on Revlimid? Are the kidney issues a result of the disease and/or the treatment?

Jump to this post

@janetlen I have been very fortunate, in my opinion. There have been no issues or concerns with Medicare. I have maintained the same supplemental insurance I started with. And the same drug coverage.

Until a month ago, I was on Revlimid. I started that August 2021, and was on it continuously. Last October we added Ninlaro [ixazomib]. We are trying an experiment to see if my numbers will stay the same or continue to go down slowly, by stopping the Revlimid.

My kidney issues are the result of a very rare autoimmune condition, and have nothing to do with multiple myeloma or medications.
Ginger

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.