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The effect of the new health care laws?
My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma three years ago. He had his stem cells collected about 3 months into treatment (Velcade, Revlimid, Dex). He just completed a 3 year clinical study. We are wondering which direction to go now. Take a break from Revlimid & Dex? Completely go off any treatment until something changes? Do the Stem Cell Transplant now? Does anyone know if the new health care laws will affect his stem cell transplant if we delay it until he really needs it? TIA.
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
Hello,
I would imagine that the biggest factor in deciding is his health status. If he is in remission and is doing well, I don't think any doctor would recommend a stem cell transplant or any sort of new treatment modality.
Best wishes,
Alex
I would imagine that the biggest factor in deciding is his health status. If he is in remission and is doing well, I don't think any doctor would recommend a stem cell transplant or any sort of new treatment modality.
Best wishes,
Alex
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
Hi Husker Fan,
If you want more information on the Affordable Care Act, you can call The American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345. and speak directly with one of their experts. I spoke with them a few months ago and they were very helpful, although most of my questions revolved around making sure that EJ would always have coverage. At this point in time, I've never heard anyone say that stem cell transplants would not be covered, especially since this has been "the standard of care" for a long time. But if you have a question you may want to give them a call.
Lyn
If you want more information on the Affordable Care Act, you can call The American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345. and speak directly with one of their experts. I spoke with them a few months ago and they were very helpful, although most of my questions revolved around making sure that EJ would always have coverage. At this point in time, I've never heard anyone say that stem cell transplants would not be covered, especially since this has been "the standard of care" for a long time. But if you have a question you may want to give them a call.
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
I have been newly diagnosed with high risk smoldering Myeloma. UAMS was recommended by my local Cleveland Clinic Dr. I have been though a battery of tests and now 4 BM biopsies.My counts have been checked monthly and continue to drop. I remain active, helping out were I can and caring for my mother. Fatigue seems to be my big issue for now.
I have average insurance coverage with a high deductible. As of 1/1/14 I have signed up for the best Obamacare plan available. My question here is Florida Blue #1424 is my new plan. Has anyone tried to get pre-certification for an NK trial yet? I am trying to get this part taken care of first as w/o coverage UAMS is telling me to count on $43,000 out of pocket and to pay up front. Ouch! Thank you, Steve
I have average insurance coverage with a high deductible. As of 1/1/14 I have signed up for the best Obamacare plan available. My question here is Florida Blue #1424 is my new plan. Has anyone tried to get pre-certification for an NK trial yet? I am trying to get this part taken care of first as w/o coverage UAMS is telling me to count on $43,000 out of pocket and to pay up front. Ouch! Thank you, Steve
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Stephen - Name: Steve
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 15,2013
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
Regarding: Stephen wrote - "I have been newly diagnosed with high risk smoldering Myeloma. ...Has anyone tried to get pre-certification for an NK trial yet? I am trying to get this part taken care of first as w/o coverage UAMS is telling me to count on $43,000 out of pocket and to pay up front. Ouch! Thank you, Steve"
Suggest you post the question on the main myeloma forum about whether others have signed up for the "NK trial" yet. I'm guessing that you are referring to the NCT01884688 trial (A Study of Autologous Expanded Natural Killer Cell Therapy for Asymptomatic Multiple Myeloma)?
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01884688
Suggest you post the question on the main myeloma forum about whether others have signed up for the "NK trial" yet. I'm guessing that you are referring to the NCT01884688 trial (A Study of Autologous Expanded Natural Killer Cell Therapy for Asymptomatic Multiple Myeloma)?
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01884688
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
Just curious...Has anyone that signed up for the Affordable Care Act insurance had to switch to different doctors or hospitals as a result?
Also, has anyone experienced a higher cost for drugs like Revlimid or Velcade, etc. with an ACA plan?
I wanted to switch to one of the Affordable Care Act insurance plans because both my premium and deductible would have been lower under one of the gold plans. But last November, both my regular oncologist and my transplant doctor (and their groups...one was Texas Oncology) told me that they wouldn't be accepting the ACA plans, at least at the beginning of 2014. The reason for Texas Oncology not accepting the ACA plans was given that there's some rule in the ACA that says if a patient pays the premium for 1 month and then fails to pay their premiums for months 2 or 3, they still get coverage but the doctors and hospitals have to eat the cost of treatments. Luckily my insurance company, Cigna, decided to offer my plan for one more year by making the effective date of my policy 12/31/13 rather than 1/1/14. If it had been 1/1/14, Cigna would have cancelled the plan because then it would have had to match all of the ACA rules.
I just read today that that Texas Oncology changed their minds and they will now be accepting the ACA plans so at least when I switch over to an ACA plan in 2015, I should be able to get in-network services from them.
Also, has anyone experienced a higher cost for drugs like Revlimid or Velcade, etc. with an ACA plan?
I wanted to switch to one of the Affordable Care Act insurance plans because both my premium and deductible would have been lower under one of the gold plans. But last November, both my regular oncologist and my transplant doctor (and their groups...one was Texas Oncology) told me that they wouldn't be accepting the ACA plans, at least at the beginning of 2014. The reason for Texas Oncology not accepting the ACA plans was given that there's some rule in the ACA that says if a patient pays the premium for 1 month and then fails to pay their premiums for months 2 or 3, they still get coverage but the doctors and hospitals have to eat the cost of treatments. Luckily my insurance company, Cigna, decided to offer my plan for one more year by making the effective date of my policy 12/31/13 rather than 1/1/14. If it had been 1/1/14, Cigna would have cancelled the plan because then it would have had to match all of the ACA rules.
I just read today that that Texas Oncology changed their minds and they will now be accepting the ACA plans so at least when I switch over to an ACA plan in 2015, I should be able to get in-network services from them.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: The effect of the new health care laws?
Husker:
I'm a 56 year-old male from Nebraska. A skeptical guy, by training. Signed up on an ACA style policy effective 1/1/14. So far so good.
Re: Maintenance therapy -- I'm on long term, low dose Revlimid, with once a month Zometa infusions.
SPEP -- My M-spike is holding steady at 0.2 and my lamba/kappa numbers are very good, with a great ratio. Rest of labs are good. Fatigue, blood component drops, and some PN /cramps are the main side effects. Not perfect--but tolerable.
The Revlimid is doing it's job, along with the Zometa.
You / your hubby need to visit with the oncologist re: maintenance therapy.
I'm now a UNMC patient/oncology, due to past insurance company forcing switch from Nebraska Oncology / Stephano Tarrantolo last year. I really liked Dr T - damn good oncologist - but the UNMC guy I'm with now is also pretty solid too.
So far, the ACA style policy has kept all my preferred treatment providers (in network) and all is well ... so far.
Surgery next week for a total hip -- so we'll see how that goes.
Remember: NEVER LAY YOUR HIP UNDERNEATH A LINEAR ACCELERATOR 40 TIMES ... if you can help it. LOL!
Good luck to you/your hubby.
I'm a 56 year-old male from Nebraska. A skeptical guy, by training. Signed up on an ACA style policy effective 1/1/14. So far so good.
Re: Maintenance therapy -- I'm on long term, low dose Revlimid, with once a month Zometa infusions.
SPEP -- My M-spike is holding steady at 0.2 and my lamba/kappa numbers are very good, with a great ratio. Rest of labs are good. Fatigue, blood component drops, and some PN /cramps are the main side effects. Not perfect--but tolerable.
The Revlimid is doing it's job, along with the Zometa.
You / your hubby need to visit with the oncologist re: maintenance therapy.
I'm now a UNMC patient/oncology, due to past insurance company forcing switch from Nebraska Oncology / Stephano Tarrantolo last year. I really liked Dr T - damn good oncologist - but the UNMC guy I'm with now is also pretty solid too.
So far, the ACA style policy has kept all my preferred treatment providers (in network) and all is well ... so far.
Surgery next week for a total hip -- so we'll see how that goes.
Remember: NEVER LAY YOUR HIP UNDERNEATH A LINEAR ACCELERATOR 40 TIMES ... if you can help it. LOL!
Good luck to you/your hubby.
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R from the sticks
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