How do they know?

[Guest guest]

I am replying to Theresa Migut's question about insurance not paying for trial.

I would like to know how an insurance knows when you are in a trial. I was

already on Medicare when I was diagnosed 15 years ago, but no one has ever asked

if I was in a trial or refused to treat me because I was in one. What they

don't know won't hurt them.

Bobby Doyle and I are running neck and neck on the number of trials we are and

have been in. She is already in Phase 1 of the Ariad trial and I am waiting to

get in Phase II and we talked about never being compensated for offering up our

bodies to science in the hopes that drug will be an alternative to the other

ones that didn't work for us, but we are fully covered by insurance. I have a

co-pay at the beginning of the year for Medicare, but other than that, it

doesn't cost me out of pocket. I am out a small fortune for traveling to MDACC

for all these visits and I am almost afraid to figure out how much. I am out of

pocket for all the insurance I pay, however.

Maybe you should contact the Insurance Commissioner of your state and get his

opinion. I remember when I read in the paper that my secondary carrier would no

longer write policies in LA, I sent an email about midnight to the

Commissioner's office. At 7:00 a.m. the next day he was calling me to tell me

not to worry, they could not refuse to insure me, so I was covered. That was a

relief to hear, so call someone, call anybody and you may get the information

you are looking for. I'm the lady who always says " Don't give up " and I'm

saying it one more time. Have you contacted the LLS or American Cancer Society.

ACS has given me more information and assitance than LLS, believe it or not.

Your senator or congressman? Keep us informed.

Carpe Diem,

Lottie Duthu