Getting Insurance to Pay for Screening Procedures
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts,"
My family is being followed by two universities for Hereditary
Non-polyposis Colon Cancer (Lynch Syndrome II). My insurance will not pay
for the screening colonoscopies that are recommended yearly. They say
without symptoms, it is merely a screening procedure. I say it is early
detection surveillance. I have appealed at several levels—sent supporting
letters, one from Dr. Lynch himself. The insurance Commission says that
because my company is self insuring, they have no control over them. I do
not know how to proceed—this is an $800 procedure. Suggestions would be
helpful, thanks.
We suggest that you inform your physician that you have exhausted every reasonable effort to receive coverage for the colonoscopy. He or she may be able to determine if funds can be made available through the university(s) to support ongoing research projects. They may also be able to petition the university to determine if the billing entities involved would consider either discounting their fees or providing the service "gratis". In addition,
if you are participating in an ongoing research project, there may be
funding available through the agency sponsoring the research to pay for the
test.cancer.
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