What to Do If You Are Denied Coverage Because You Have Cancer?
However, as if that were not bad enough, many cancer patients have to fight for their right to health insurance coverage.
If you find that your health insurance provider refuses to cover your treatments, take heart.
You do have options! You will need to keep the possibility of denial in mind from the beginning.
Study your policy; find out what you will be charged for seeing doctors outside of your network, which treatments are eligible for coverage, and whether you can pick your own specialist.
You will need this information in case you are denied insurance coverage.
The most common problems cancer patients face are denial of drugs or treatment.
If this happens to you, do not give up.
You can appeal the insurance company's decision.
The first step is to call and speak with someone directly.
Present the facts of your case, including what was denied and why you need a particular treatment or drug.
You might also want to enlist your doctor's help.
He or she can write a letter to the insurance company on your behalf that covers the details of your treatment and why it is necessary.
If your appeal is denied, try again.
This time it may go to an external review board.
If all appeals fail, you might want to look for another insurance plan.
There are a few private health insurance plans out there that do not require pre-existing condition exclusion periods or health screenings.
The catch, however, is that these plans are often very expensive.
You might also try looking for a group plan for which you are eligible, as this type of plan often does not require screenings either.
If you are married, check your spouse's insurance policy.
Although you may have to wait to enroll, having cancer health insurance will be a life saver.
If you have been insured for twelve months with no breaks in coverage, HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) will protect your coverage if you change jobs.
Even if you are uninsured, HIPAA will also protect your right to health insurance after recovery.
If you have been cancer-free for twelve months, you will not have to go through a pre-existing condition exclusion period once you sign up for a new health insurance plan.
In the meantime, look into Medicare, Medicaid, or state health plans.
There may be more options for cancer health insurance than you may initially think.
If you need help with this, please visit our website at http://www.
health-insurance-buyer.
com and provide your contact information so we may respond to your request and guide you throughout the process.