Ross,
I couldn't have said it better myself. I do not like the idea of "Big
Brother" having all of my health information. Too scary.
Sheila
Ross Ylitalo wrote:
> Lillian,
>
> Heath number? Hmmm...that sounds like a tricky issue to me--it sounds
> like something that *could* be abused. Tonight, for example, I went and
> looked at a house and property that my wife and I are interested in--I'm
> a "secretly" a little worried about what "Mr. Bankman" will think of my new
> hairless head--could that possibly skew his opinion on how much money
> he has available for lending??? Never mind that I plan on being around
> much longer than I think he will.
>
> And then there is always the issue of getting a new insurance company
> some day--I'd rather talk to "Mr. Insuranceman" in person than have some
> computer kick me into the "Nope, Nosir, No-can-do" pile without so much
> as a handshake! Right now, if I'm looking at the Help Wanted section of
> the paper, one of the first questions that comes to mind is "wonder if they
> have group health insurance, and if so, would I be able to *sneak* in?"
>
> For that matter, I have to admit wondering if potential employers would
> be prejudiced against me based on my new hair-do. Can I, for example,
> be placed on a big project that will take a number of years? Maybe that
> new kid without any experience wasn't so dumb as first impressions
> led them to believe???
>
> You're right Lillian, I'm not a number! Speaking of songs, there was a
> neat "Bob Cigar" tune with that line in it: "I'm not a Number." If my
> computer had a mic on it, I'd sing it and attach it as a computer virus--
> literally shatters your monitor!
>
> Now I'm really getting riled up! Its pitchfork and torches time! We'll
> march
> on Washington! All twelve of us! No, I don't like the idea of having a
> health number. In fact, I think it really stinks! I'm a database person by
> profession, and I have experienced that a lot of information can be tied
> into one little number!
>
> Down with numbers!! I want my slide rule back!!
>
> Love, peace and other kind words....
>
> Ross
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lillian jennings <firefly@islc.net>
> To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com <mol-cancer@lists.meds.com>
> Date: Monday, July 20, 1998 10:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [MOL] Insurance Companies
>
> >Yes Ross, my insurance co. has been great also; but they are not a HMO, big
> >difference. Are you in favor of getting a health nbr.? The gov't. wants
> to give
> >everyone a health nbr. to track our health throughout our lives, ofcourse
> the
> >insurance co. love the idea. My live is boring; but I have had one hell of
> life
> >with cancer, really interesting....Love your friend, Lillian
> >
> >Ross Ylitalo wrote:
> >
> >> Someday I'm gonna write a note about how good my insurance company has
> >> been. We all have plenty of time to talk about how lousy insurance
> companies
> >> are, but mine has been so good I'm gonna write them a letter sometime.
> They
> >> have been unbelievably easy to deal with! Wish I could remember what
> >> company it was--LOL, we take so much for granted when it works!
> >>
> >> Love,
> >>
> >> Ross
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: lillian jennings [SMTP:firefly@islc.net]
> >> Sent: Monday, July 20, 1998 5:03 PM
> >> To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com
> >> Subject: Re: [MOL] Insurance Companies
> >>
> >> Gosh Cathy, I thought clinical trials were free and then I read someplace
> where
> >> different hospitals provide more for the patients than other hospitals.
> Have
> >> you talked to NCI @ 1-800-4-cancer, I believe they can give you the most
> >> information. I am attatching my welcome letter as it has information on
> >> insurance; etc. they may be of help to you. I feel the more HMO's we
> have the
> >> more we are going to see these types of problems. Your friend, Lillian
> >>
> >> WELCOME TO YOUR MOL CANCER FORUM
> >>
> >> Here you will meet a wonderful caring group of individuals who are
> >> cancering or who are loved ones and friends being advocates for
> those
> >> cancering. Individuals in this group are not in the medical
> professional
> >> field. Therefore,we do not endorse a treatment, drug or product.
> Our
> >> people combined do have many year's of accumulated knowledge and
> >> expierence, who come from all walks in life and are able to lend
> tremendous
> >> assistance to help you walk through this journey.
> >>
> >> There are a few matters of importance to address.
> >> It is the general assumption of the group that one can use
> alternative
> >> treatments (with your doctors permission) in conjunction with
> traditional
> >> therapy.
> >> We feel that an individual who has had testing and is returning to
> the
> >> doctor should take someone with them as an extra set of ears.
> >> It must be remembered that this is a most stressful time for you.
> We also
> >> agree that a second or even a third opinion is healthy. One needs
> to shop
> >> for the right doctor for them; as each of us are so different not
> only in
> >> personality; but our bodies react differently.
> >> You should be seeking nothing but the best doctors and hospital,
> remember
> >> this is your life and you want to be in control. The best way to be
> in
> >> control is to acquire all the information needed for your particular
> >> cancer; so that you and your doctor can descide the best treatment
> for you.
> >>
> >> We find stress is our worse enemy, it is so important to remove
> yourself
> >> from stressful situations and non positive thinkers.
> >> There are so many new drugs and treatments our there for most
> cancers that
> >> lend hope to all.
> >> Be prepared for you doctors visits with questions. Should the
> doctor
> >> interrupt you while you are questioning explain that you have more
> >> questions. Make sure the doctor speaks to you in lay terms and that
> he is
> >> positive also.
> >> Too often the doctor will give a gloomy statistical report, thus
> taking
> >> hope away from the patient and we find so many people who far out
> live the
> >> guess of any doctor. Last; but never least make sure that you eat
> healthy
> >> and that you keep your immune system built up.
> >> Again, we are here for you, we are a place of compassionate comfort,
> a
> >> place you can rant and rave knowing that we too have done that. A
> place of
> >> shelter; whereas all of us know what you are going through. Your
> friends
> >> of the MOL CANCER FORUM
> >>
> >> TRADITIONAL SITES
> >>
> >> National Cancer Institute http://rex.nci.nih.gov
> >> Univ of Penn http://cancer.med.upenn.edu
> >> Cancer Notes on the Net http://www.cancernews.com
> >> Medicine On Line http://www.meds.com
> >> MD Anderson http://www.mdanderson.org
> >> Mem. Sloan-Kettering http://www.mskcc.org
> >>
> >> Alternative Medicine
> >>
> >> www.canceranswers.com
> >> 85% CancerAnswers - Alternative Treatments
> >> 84% Cancer Information -Alternative Treatments
> >>
> >> www.chiro.org
> >> 84% CANCER TREATMENTS/ ALTERNATIVE
> >> 84% Alternative Remedies for Cancer and other diseases.
> >>
> >> www.meds.com
> >> 84% Re: Alternative cancer treatments [00299]
> >> 83% 5. Internet Resources on Cancer
> >>
> >> MEDICAL DICTIONARIES
> >>
> >> BOOKS "50 Esential Things to Do
> When the
> >> Doctor
> >> Says it is
> Cancer", Greg
> >> Anderson
> >>
> >> HOME HEALTH CARE
> >>
> >> National Association for Home Care
> >> c/o Consumer Guide
> >> P.O. Box 14241
> >> Washington, DC 20003
> >> (202)547-7424
> >> (202)547-3540 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.nahc.org/
> >> Trade association providing referrals to home or hospice care.
> >>
> >> The Oley Foundation
> >> 214 Hun Memorial, A-23
> >> Albany Medical Center
> >> Albany, NY 12208-3478
> >> (518)262-5079
> >> (800)776-OLEY
> >> E-mail: mailto:taylor@ccgateway.amc.edu
> >> Web site: http://www.wizvax.net/oleyfdn
> >> Support for home enteral and/or parental nutrition therapy.
> >>
> >> Olsten HealthCare
> >> 175 Broadhollow Road
> >> Melville, NY 11747
> >> (516)844-7800
> >> (800)66-NURSE
> >> Web site: http://www.olsten.com/
> >> Provides home health care services including chemotherapy, nutrition
> and
> >> hydration therapies, pain management, physical therapy, and general
> nursing
> >> services.
> >>
> >> Visiting Nurse Association of America National Office
> >> 3801 East Florida Avenue, Suite 900
> >> Denver, CO 80210
> >> (888)866-8773
> >> (303)753-0218
> >> Provides skilled nursing and assisted living services.
> >>
> >> Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
> >> 919 Lafond Avenue
> >> St. Paul, MN 55104
> >> (612)642-4000
> >> (612)642-4068 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.wilder.org/
> >> Provides assisted living and nursing home care services for the
> elderly in
> >> the Minneapolis area.
> >>
> >> Childrens' Hospice
> >> 2202 Mt. Vernon Ave., Suite 3C
> >> Alexandria, VA 22301
> >> (703)684-0330
> >> (703)684-0226 FAX
> >> E-mail: mailto:chiorg@aol.com
> >> Web site: http://www.chionline.org/
> >> Provides information and referral services,counseling, support
> groups,
> >> education, and research aimed at improving hospice care for
> children.
> >>
> >> Choice in Dying
> >> 1035 30th Street NW
> >> Washington, DC 20007
> >> (202)338-9790
> >> (202)338-0242 FAX
> >> Web site:http://www.choices.org/
> >> Advocacy organization for end-of-life rights;provides legal
> counseling and
> >> information on end-of-life decisions.
> >>
> >> National Association for Home Care
> >> c/o Consumer Guide
> >> P.O. Box 14241
> >> Washington, DC 20003
> >> (202)547-7424
> >> (202)547-3540 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.nahc.org/
> >> Trade association that provides referrals to local hospice
> organizations.
> >>
> >> Hospice Education Institute/Hospicelink
> >> 190 Westbrook Road
> >> Essex, CT 06426
> >> (860)767-1620
> >> (800)331-1620
> >> (860)767-2746 FAX
> >> E-mail: mailto:hospiceall@aol.com
> >> Provides information and referral services,education, advice and
> assistance
> >> regarding hospice and palliative care.
> >>
> >> National Hospice Organization
> >> 1901 N. Moore Street, Suite 901
> >> Arlington, VA 22209
> >> (703)243-5900
> >> (800)658-8898
> >> (703)525-5762 FAX
> >> E-mail: mailto:drsno@cais.com
> >> Web site: http://www.nho.org/
> >> Provides information and referrals to local hospitals, patient
> advocacy and
> >> professional education.
> >>
> >> National Institute for Jewish Hospice
> >> 8723 Alden Drive, Suite 219
> >> Los Angeles, CA 90048
> >> (310)854-3036
> >> (213)HOSPICE
> >> (800)446-4448
> >> Provides free telephone counseling and referrals; trains
> professionals in
> >> the art of helping the Jewish terminally ill.
> >> RESOURCES/ LEGAL
> >>
> >> Americans with Disabilities Act
> >> U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
> >> Office of Legal Council
> >> 1801 L Street NW
> >> Washington, DC 20507
> >> (202)663-4503
> >> Provides information and legal assistance regarding discrimination
> due to
> >> illness or disability
> >>
> >> Family Medical leave Act
> >> U.S. Department of Labor
> >> Wage & Hour Division
> >> 200 Constitution Avenue NW
> >> Washington, DC 20210
> >> (202)219-8412
> >> Provides information on employment rights during medical leave due
> to
> >> illness
> >>
> >> Support Services: Finance & Insurance
> >>
> >> American Association of Health Plans
> >> Membership Department
> >> 129 20th Street NW, Suite 600
> >> Washington, DC 20036
> >> (202)778-3200
> >> Web site: http://www.aahp.org/
> >> Insurance industry trade association that will provide information on
> insurance
> >> and health care issues.
> >>
> >> Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
> >> 675 North St. Claire Street
> >> Chicago, IL 60601
> >> (312)440-6000
> >>
> >> Department of Health and Human Services
> >> Inspector General Hotline
> >> Office of the Inspector General
> >> P.O. Box 23489
> >> Washington, DC 20026
> >> (800)368-5779
> >> U.S. government hotline for complaints regarding Medicare or Medicaid;
> provides
> >> assistance with issues of entitlements, benefits, insurance, and
> community
> >> resources.
> >>
> >> Disabled American Veterans
> >> 807 Main Avenue SW
> >> Washington, DC 20024
> >> (202)554-3501
> >> (202)554-3581 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.dav.org/
> >> Provides assistance with health benefits for U.S. veterans.
> >>
> >> Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care
> >> 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-47
> >> Rockville, MD 20857
> >> (800)683-0742 Hotline
> >> (301)594-5999 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/bhrd/dfcr/dfcrmain.htm
> >> U.S. government program that can arrange for cost-assisted care for
> >> disadvantaged individuals at certain medical facilities or hospitals.
> >>
> >> National Insurance Consumer Hotline
> >> 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
> >> Washington, DC 20004
> >> (800)942-4242
> >> Provides assistance in finding insurance coverage, information on
> insurance
> >> issues and a consumer complaint service.
> >>
> >> SUPPORT SERVICE TRAVEL
> >>
> >> Support Services: Hair Loss
> >>
> >> Look Good, Feel Better
> >> The American Cancer Society
> >> (800)395-LOOK
> >> Teaches women who have undergone cancer treatment how to improve
> appearance
> >> through cosmetics, wigs, scarfs, etc.
> >>
> >> Y-ME WIG
> >> 212 West Van Buren Street, 4th Floor
> >> Chicago, IL 60607
> >> (800)221-2141
> >> (312)294-8598 FAX
> >> Web site: http://www.y-me.org/
> >> Provides donated wigs free of charge.
> >>
> >> Telesco,Cathy wrote:
> >>
> >> > Nanc:
> >> > I, too, thought that clinical trials were supposed to be free.
> However, the
> >> > Dr at Memorial Sloan Kettering said that my Dad's insurance won't pay
> for
> >> > it. The meds are ok because they will be administered to him here at
> our
> >> > local hospital and not in NYC. Could it be because it is an HMO? I
> will
> >> > have to do some more investigating. Even my Dad's primary care
> physician
> >> > called my Mom on the day before his appointment to let them know that
> only
> >> > the 2nd opinion consultation is covered but that any care he gets at
> >> > Memorial will not be...Does this sound wierd? The other thing that I
> >> > questioned was that here we were, at a state of the art cancer center,
> and
> >> > when I asked the doctor about alternative treaments to be used in
> conjuction
> >> > with conventional treatment, he dismissed it as "hogwash". I would
> think
> >> > Memorial would be a little more open-minded - I was somewhat
> dissapointed.
> >> > Sorry to ramble...
> >> > Cathy
> >> >
> >> > > -----Original Message-----
> >> > > From: NLPOST@aol.com [SMTP:NLPOST@aol.com]
> >> > > Sent: Monday, July 20, 1998 3:28 PM
> >> > > To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com
> >> > > Subject: Re: [MOL] Insurance Companies
> >> > >
> >> > > Hi Cathy,
> >> > > What won't your Insurance company pay for? If it is a clinical, I
> thought
> >> > > they were supposed to be free, and if the Meds the Dr. wants to give
> him
> >> > > first
> >> > > is FDA approved, your insurance has to pay for them. Maybe the
> Insurance
> >> > > company misunderstood just what you wanted covered. Let me know what
> you
> >> > > find
> >> > > out about all of it.
> >> > > Love and prayers to you and yours,
> >> > > Nanc
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > In a message dated 7/20/98 3:20:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> >> > > cathy.telesco@gartner.com writes:
> >> > >
> >> > > << Can any molers out there comment on how they dealt (or are
> dealing)
> >> > > with
> >> > > their insurance company's refusal to pay for treatment at another
> >> > > hospital? I took my Dad to Memorial Sloan Kettering on Friday
> morning.
> >> > > There is a clinical trial that he can participate in - but the
> doctor
> >> > > wants to try 5FU with Mitomicin first (for two months). Failing
> that,
> >> > > my father is eligible to participate in a clinical trial that is
> being
> >> > > conducted at Memorial. However, his HMO, Kaiser Permanente, says
> they
> >> > > will not cover this! What do you do? Do you just rack up medical
> >> > > charges and incur an unbelivable amount of debt? There just has to
> be a
> >> > > better way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Cathy >>
> >> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> >> > > unsubscribe mol-cancer your-email-address
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> >> >
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> >> << File: ATT00000.html >>
> >>
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