Health Insurance After Cancer

Dealing with health insurance after cancer can be challenging. Not only do you have to deal with getting treatment, but you may have a battle on your hands when it comes to getting the most from your policy.

You can get your cancer treatments covered by your insurer.

To get the most from your health insurance policy, you need to understand what your policy provisions mean. When you get a diagnosis of cancer, no doubt you are going to go through a lot of different feelings, but once you feel get past the initial shock and anxiety, take some time to go over your health insurance plan with a fine-tooth comb.

Be sure that you understand the following:

• How to get a second opinion if you want one
• Whether you can go outside your provider network to get treatment and whether the insurance company will cover at least some of these costs
• If your insurance company requires you to get permission before you can undergo treatment and the procedure for getting this authorization
• What health expenses (such as doctor's visits, chemotherapy, and/or surgery) are covered under the policy and what portion of these costs you have coverage for
• Whether you can consult the doctor of your choice or not
• How to switch doctors if you want to
• How to get information about your policy from your insurance company; do you have the name of a company contact you can call on for help, or do you call a toll-free number to get questions answered?

You are going to need to keep copies of all correspondence with your insurance company. Every time you write to them, make sure you keep a copy of your letter for your own records.

If you are speaking to a representative of the company by phone, you will need to make a note of the following information:

• The date the conversation took place
• The name of the person you were speaking with
• What you discussed

If the insurance company's representative agrees to pay for a treatment or offers you something else, ask that person to confirm it in writing. You can also write a confirming letter to your insurer after each conversation. The language doesn't have to be complicated; you can simply say, "This letter will confirm my telephone conversation with [name of the person you spoke with] on [date]. At that point, you agreed to [summarize the conversation]. That way, you have something to rely on if there is a misunderstanding about what the insurer agreed to cover.

When you are dealing with the company for your health insurance after cancer, you need to have a plan in mind in case you are denied coverage for a second opinion or a treatment option. If you are turned down, you do have the right to appeal. Gather information to support your claim and get help from your doctors, if need be.

Another situation where you might run into difficulties is in the area of continuity of care. If your doctor leaves your insurance plan's list of providers, ask if you can continue to see that person outside of the plan and if the company will continue to extend coverage. Likewise, if you are still undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, ask if the insurance company will continue to cover the rest of your scheduled treatments.

Once you have been treated for cancer, you may be concerned that you will not be able to keep your health coverage. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) makes it easier for you to move from one group health insurance plan to another. The Act also provides some protection for people who are enrolled in an individual health plan. To get more information about HIPAA, visit the HIPPAdvisory website.

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