It is important to have and keep good medical insurance. Many patients have private insurance through employee group plans or individual plans. There are several types of health insurance plans, so it’s important for you to become familiar with your individual insurance plan and its provisions in order to know what your cost obligation will be.

Many expenses are associated with management of most cancers. Some insurance plans provide for additional coverage under a “catastrophic illness” clause. These policies cover major medical care needs and usually have a very high deductible and fairly low premiums. They are useful when a person’s primary medical policy has a low lifetime limit and are appealing to people with chronic illnesses.

Some insurance policies pay a fixed amount for each day a person is hospitalized. There is usually a limit on the total number of hospital inpatient days that are covered in a calendar year. The money received from a hospital indemnity policy can be used as the insured wishes, but it is often used for the other expenses that families face when one member is ill.

Keeping Records of Insurance and Medical Care Costs

Keeping accurate records of medical bills, insurance claims and payments will help families manage money better and keep stress levels lower. Record-keeping is also important for those who wish to take advantage of the deductions available in filing itemized tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) can provide information and free publications regarding tax exemptions for cancer treatment expenses.

KEEP RECORDS OF THE FOLLOWING:

> Medical bills from all healthcare providers

> Claims filed

> Reimbursements and explanations of benefits

> Dates, names and outcomes of contacts made with insurers and others

> Non-reimbursed or outstanding medical costs

> Meals, lodging and travel expenses, including gas

> Long-distance telephone calls related to medical or other types of care, including psychosocial care

> Admissions, clinic visits, lab work, diagnostic tests, procedures and treatments

> Drugs given and prescriptions filled

SUGGESTIONS FOR RECORD-KEEPING:

> Decide who will be the family record-keeper or how the task will be shared.  

> Seek the help of a relative or friend. This may be especially important for people who are single. 

> Set up a file system in a file cabinet, drawer, box or three-ring notebook. 

> Check all bills and explanations of benefits paid for accuracy.  

> Review bills promptly after receiving them.

> Save and file all bills, payment receipts and canceled checks.  

> Keep a daily log of events and expenses; a calendar with space for writing is useful.  

> Maintain a list of phone numbers for cancer care team members and other contacts.

Handling a Claim Denial or Refusal to Cover a Prescribed Service

It is not unusual for particular claims to be denied or for insurers to say they will not cover a test, procedure or service a doctor orders. If this occurs, it is important to have a working relationship with a case manager who can discuss your situation.

The first step should be to resubmit the claim with a copy of the denial letter. It may be necessary for the patient’s doctor to explain or justify what has been done or is being requested. Sometimes the test or service will only need to be “coded” differently. If challenging the denial in these ways is not successful, then you may need to:  

> Postpone payment until the matter is resolved.

> Resubmit the claim a third time and request a review.  

> Ask to speak with a supervisor who may have authority to reverse a decision.  

> Seek help from the consumer services division of your state insurance department or commission.

> Consider legal action.

Make sure you keep originals of correspondence. Your record-keeping team may be able to help make copies. Also keep a record of dates, names and conversations you have about the denial.

Options for the Uninsured

If you are not insured, the following are options to consider in seeking coverage:

Determine whether you can apply for group insurance through fraternal or professional organizations, such as those for retired people, teachers, social workers or real estate agents.

Explore your eligibility for Medicare, which covers most people who are 65 or older or who are permanently disabled and have been receiving Social Security benefits for about two years.

For uninsured individuals who are eligible, the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides immediate access to coverage that does not impose any coverage exclusions for preexisting health conditions.

Adapted with permission of the American Cancer Society

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