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    Posted February 21, 2013 by
    tenacitylin
    Location
    Bedminster, New Jersey
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Bitter pill: The cost of health care in the U.S.

    More iReports you should see

    Breast Cancer Bankruptcy

    By tenacitylin  |  Posted February 21, 2013  |  Bedminster, New Jersey
     
    Twenty months ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had health insurance and was paying $471 monthly, for an individual plan with Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Because of tests needed for diagnostics, biopsy, blood work, etc., my plan did not cover everything and I ended up with over $55,000 in out of pocket expenses. I was overwhelmed with the dagnosis and Sloan-Kettering told me that they were making sure that everything was covered before any procedure was done. Not only that, they received confirmation numbers and even received payments for some of the services from my insurance company. Later, BC/BS asked for those payments back. Sloan Kettering said, by law, they had to return the payments to the insurance company. It was a financial nightmare and here 20 months later, my insurance is now $955 monthly and I had to renegotiate all of those bills and I am not done paying. I am disgusted with the industry, including the restrictions. Ex. Because I had Lymphoma at 25 years old & was treated at Sloan-Kettering, my Drs felt that I should, once again, be treated there for BC. There is a facility in NJ and my insurance will not cover any tests that are sent to the Manhattan hospital for processing, Some tests cannot be done in NJ. The overall system between hospital and insurance company needs an overhaul. I am restricted as to what is done in NJ and Sloan Kettering continues to send some tests to NY and I get stuck with the bill. I am now going to switch Cancer Centers. I have co-pays and a $955 monthly health insurance premium. I need 2-3 jobs to keep my head above water. I am constantly stressed. I want to drop my insurance so I do not go bankrupt.
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