Thanks, Howard, for continuing to shine light on these issues and challenges. Based on your well-documented story and the personal experiences shared here and elsewhere by our AS comrades, I do wonder about the potential for pursuing legislative and/or regulatory changes in our state legislatures - Illinois and well beyond. The insurance industry lobby might be expected to use its great influence to interfere, but as Allan G. says in his comment, "I am at a loss as to why they refuse to take money from someone whose doctor is willing to say that the potential client is as much or as little a risk as virtually anyone else, given the Gleason 6, low risk diagnosis. They refuse to take your money because of their lack of understanding/lack of reasonable intelligence in connection with medical diagnoses and opinions." That makes sense to me at face value, so it may be worth identifying sympathetic political leaders -- what do you want to bet this very issue has touched some of them personally? -- to start strategizing needed change.
Thanks, Cliff. The Illinois General Assembly is moving a long legislation to ensure all patients have access to PSA. I testified at the hearing. I will reach out to the sponsor. I hope to gather more stories about patients who have faced insurance discrimination.
As most people might say, "Don't get me started about insurance companies!". I have not yet personally had to deal with any insurance company after being diagnosed with PCa. That may still come.
Unfortunately, it always seems to take pressure from a specific interest group to lobby lawmakers into passing legislation and essentially force the insurance companies to make changes.
However, my opinion would be that until Gleason 6 gets "de-classified" as cancer, that battle might be lost from the start.
Thanks, Jeff. That's what I hope to do with this discussion, move toward re- or de-classification. Gleason 2-5 used to be considered cancers. But aren't now. Maybe if the doctors could agree that Gleason 6 looks like cancer but doesn't act like it, and change the classifications, the insurers will follow suit. Some guys have told me their insurance companies did not boost their rates after Gleason 6 was diagnosed. So here's hopin'. Keep we informed. Howard The Ac
I have little to nothing to say about despicable histories with insurance brokers and companies, other than that they are in business to make money, not lose money--and I am at a loss as to why they refuse to take money from someone whose doctor is willing to say that the potential client is as much or as little a risk as virtually anyone else, given the Gleason 6, low risk diagnosis. They refuse to take your money because of their lack of understanding/lack of reasonable intelligence in connection with medical diagnoses and opinions.
I am glad that I do not have to deal with insurance companies, other than the company that provides my supplementary health insurance (and I would rather pay more in taxes and have a truly comprehensive medicare, like in other parts of the enlightened world, and not have to deal with the supplementary insurance--but that's another issue) and the company that provides our automobile and homeowner's insurance. I have been truly fortunate--my previous wife (the one who died from cancer) had a very nice trust fund that came from her parents (and went to her adopted son after her death); my current wife has her own small retirement fund and social security; my son and his wife are well employed and not dependent upon us; and we have enough to see us through our years, Iiving financially moderate lives. I relinquished my life insurance policies shortly after my second marriage, see no need for a life insurance policy at this time in my life, and as a result save myself the grief and aggravation of having to explain something to people who don't want to know anything other than that you have the dreaded cancer.
I agree with Howard on the life insurance issue. My policy (30 year term with $400,000 face value) expired on my 65th birthday. The company would not renew or offer me any life insurance. I applied to 6 additional major companies. All rejected.
I am on AS for 2.5 years for Gleason 6. Original biopsy had 1/10 of 1 core positive. Second biopsy was completely negative. MRI shows nothing.
At this point in time, I have given up on applying for life insurance.
Thanks, Steve. I feel your pain. Is Gleason 6 cancer or not? Doctors disagree. Meanwhile, guys like us are mishandled by the bottom-line-driven insurers.
Thanks, Howard, for continuing to shine light on these issues and challenges. Based on your well-documented story and the personal experiences shared here and elsewhere by our AS comrades, I do wonder about the potential for pursuing legislative and/or regulatory changes in our state legislatures - Illinois and well beyond. The insurance industry lobby might be expected to use its great influence to interfere, but as Allan G. says in his comment, "I am at a loss as to why they refuse to take money from someone whose doctor is willing to say that the potential client is as much or as little a risk as virtually anyone else, given the Gleason 6, low risk diagnosis. They refuse to take your money because of their lack of understanding/lack of reasonable intelligence in connection with medical diagnoses and opinions." That makes sense to me at face value, so it may be worth identifying sympathetic political leaders -- what do you want to bet this very issue has touched some of them personally? -- to start strategizing needed change.
Thanks, Cliff. The Illinois General Assembly is moving a long legislation to ensure all patients have access to PSA. I testified at the hearing. I will reach out to the sponsor. I hope to gather more stories about patients who have faced insurance discrimination.
As most people might say, "Don't get me started about insurance companies!". I have not yet personally had to deal with any insurance company after being diagnosed with PCa. That may still come.
Unfortunately, it always seems to take pressure from a specific interest group to lobby lawmakers into passing legislation and essentially force the insurance companies to make changes.
However, my opinion would be that until Gleason 6 gets "de-classified" as cancer, that battle might be lost from the start.
Thanks, Jeff. That's what I hope to do with this discussion, move toward re- or de-classification. Gleason 2-5 used to be considered cancers. But aren't now. Maybe if the doctors could agree that Gleason 6 looks like cancer but doesn't act like it, and change the classifications, the insurers will follow suit. Some guys have told me their insurance companies did not boost their rates after Gleason 6 was diagnosed. So here's hopin'. Keep we informed. Howard The Ac
tive Surveillor.
I have little to nothing to say about despicable histories with insurance brokers and companies, other than that they are in business to make money, not lose money--and I am at a loss as to why they refuse to take money from someone whose doctor is willing to say that the potential client is as much or as little a risk as virtually anyone else, given the Gleason 6, low risk diagnosis. They refuse to take your money because of their lack of understanding/lack of reasonable intelligence in connection with medical diagnoses and opinions.
I am glad that I do not have to deal with insurance companies, other than the company that provides my supplementary health insurance (and I would rather pay more in taxes and have a truly comprehensive medicare, like in other parts of the enlightened world, and not have to deal with the supplementary insurance--but that's another issue) and the company that provides our automobile and homeowner's insurance. I have been truly fortunate--my previous wife (the one who died from cancer) had a very nice trust fund that came from her parents (and went to her adopted son after her death); my current wife has her own small retirement fund and social security; my son and his wife are well employed and not dependent upon us; and we have enough to see us through our years, Iiving financially moderate lives. I relinquished my life insurance policies shortly after my second marriage, see no need for a life insurance policy at this time in my life, and as a result save myself the grief and aggravation of having to explain something to people who don't want to know anything other than that you have the dreaded cancer.
You are lucky man. My fellow Fighting Illini. Go orange and blue. Howard The Active Surveillor
I agree with Howard on the life insurance issue. My policy (30 year term with $400,000 face value) expired on my 65th birthday. The company would not renew or offer me any life insurance. I applied to 6 additional major companies. All rejected.
I am on AS for 2.5 years for Gleason 6. Original biopsy had 1/10 of 1 core positive. Second biopsy was completely negative. MRI shows nothing.
At this point in time, I have given up on applying for life insurance.
Thanks, Steve. I feel your pain. Is Gleason 6 cancer or not? Doctors disagree. Meanwhile, guys like us are mishandled by the bottom-line-driven insurers.