Hello,
My spouse is heading for a stem cell harvest. The oncologist at the regional cancer center doesn't seem to think that insurance companies want to pay for a harvest if the transplantation isn't done soon afterward. We may do the transplant regardless, but of course we would like to choose the time. I am wondering if this is his own preference, of if this is a common situation.
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Re: Stem cell harvest and insurance
Hi,
I just finished a stem cell harvest and the plan all along was for my stem cells to be frozen for use some time in the as-yet-undetermined future. The first thing that had to be done was getting approval from my insurance company (Cigna). I got a call from a nurse there who asked me some questions (pretty general ones). They didn't ask for any extra tests or information from my doctor/hospital and I got a call the next day that I had been approved. I did get the sense that they are more used to working with people who are going directly to transplant, but the fact that I wasn't didn't affect my getting approved for the procedure.
The only thing the nurse said was that if I had been going directly to transplant I might have been covered 100%, whereas because the two procedures were going to be separate the harvest might only be covered at 96%. I actually haven't gotten the statement yet so I don't know how it's going to work out.
We do have a very good insurance plan through my husband's job; I know we're really lucky; I hope it works out well for you too
Karen
I just finished a stem cell harvest and the plan all along was for my stem cells to be frozen for use some time in the as-yet-undetermined future. The first thing that had to be done was getting approval from my insurance company (Cigna). I got a call from a nurse there who asked me some questions (pretty general ones). They didn't ask for any extra tests or information from my doctor/hospital and I got a call the next day that I had been approved. I did get the sense that they are more used to working with people who are going directly to transplant, but the fact that I wasn't didn't affect my getting approved for the procedure.
The only thing the nurse said was that if I had been going directly to transplant I might have been covered 100%, whereas because the two procedures were going to be separate the harvest might only be covered at 96%. I actually haven't gotten the statement yet so I don't know how it's going to work out.
We do have a very good insurance plan through my husband's job; I know we're really lucky; I hope it works out well for you too
Karen
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Karen - Name: Karen
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Stem cell harvest and insurance
This is a topic that interests me too.
I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to get insurance to cover the harvest of stem cells if they aren't being transplanted right away.
My doctor told me that collection and storage was not an option because she's never seen insurance cover it, but I've been reading a lot on here and there seem to be several posts in which people mention having collected stem cells without transplant. Is it difficult to get collection covered in such cases?
I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to get insurance to cover the harvest of stem cells if they aren't being transplanted right away.
My doctor told me that collection and storage was not an option because she's never seen insurance cover it, but I've been reading a lot on here and there seem to be several posts in which people mention having collected stem cells without transplant. Is it difficult to get collection covered in such cases?
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willow75 - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Stem cell harvest and insurance
Hi Willow
My stem cell collection was covered by insurance even though a transplant wasn't done. I believe it was submitted as a stem cell collection and stem cell transplant combined. The transplant coordinator explained that submitting it that way obviously didn't commit me to having to do the transplant right then. Although I most likely will have a transplant at first relapse. Or maybe not if new therapies are better!
Hope this helps.
Lori
My stem cell collection was covered by insurance even though a transplant wasn't done. I believe it was submitted as a stem cell collection and stem cell transplant combined. The transplant coordinator explained that submitting it that way obviously didn't commit me to having to do the transplant right then. Although I most likely will have a transplant at first relapse. Or maybe not if new therapies are better!
Hope this helps.
Lori
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Loriwils - Name: Lori
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Stem cell harvest and insurance
That is very helpful, Lori. Thank you!
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willow75 - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 42
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