Medicare for Cancer Care 101
Financial counselors Jordan Karwedsky and Anne Baumgart join this episode of Cancer Covered to break down how Medicare covers cancer treatments, offering practical advice on navigating the system and accessing financial assistance.
Breast Radiation and Heart Disease
Drs. Michael Guiou and Alex Coffman, radiation oncologists, explain that patients with left-sided breast cancer have a higher risk of heart disease because of the heart’s proximity to the radiation field. They detail how modern techniques like deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and prone positioning are now used to reduce this risk, a significant improvement over earlier methods that unintentionally increased heart exposure.
Cancer Treatment Safety: Smarter, Not Stronger
Dr. Michael Guiou, Dr. Matthew Ryan, and Dr. Kamal Abbi discuss the key factors that impact the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatments, emphasizing the importance of patient advocacy, understanding treatment options, and working with a multidisciplinary care team.
Tumor Markers
Dr. Alexander Starr and Dr. Matthew Ryan explain how tumor markers can help track cancer and treatment and emphasize that it’s crucial to look at a patient’s overall health, not just the numbers.
Do I still need to see my primary care provider or are you my primary care provider now?
You’ll still need a primary care provider to help manage your other medical issues. Your primary care provider is going to manage things like diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol better than your cancer care team, just like your cancer care team is going to manage your cancer care better than your primary care team.
How do I check if you’re in-network for me?
Please call your insurance or clinic to verify the provider and healthcare system you are going to is in-network.
What if you’re out-of-network for me?
If your insurance is out-of-network with a facility it is in your best interest to find a facility that is in-network. Some insurance plans have out-of-network benefits, but many do not. Even if you have an out-of-network benefit you will still be responsible for high out-of-pocket costs. Many healthcare facilities will require upfront payments from […]
What do I do if I don’t have insurance?
If you don’t have insurance let your provider’s office know right away. Ultimately the best thing is to find insurance that will cover you to help ease any financial burden. Ask your clinic if they have someone who can work collaboratively with you or have a resource to help you. You should receive price estimates […]
What if I can’t afford my bill?
There are different financial assistance programs that may be available to assist you with your bill. Some options for assistance include national and local charitable foundations, pharmaceutical co-pay cards, hospital community care programs, and payment plans.
Is my insurance going to pay for treatment?
Your insurance should pay for your treatment if there is an authorization in place.
