Astounding

When I first found out the details of this clinical trial, I was informed that the pharmaceutical companies would pay for the drugs, but I would be responsible for the rest of the treatment costs: doctor visits, blood work, infusion, scans, etc. At that time, I didn't know that my insurance company had signed an agreement with MSKCC to make the hospital in-network, so I thought I would continue to have my scans done in-network at another facility and I would pay whatever balance the insurance company didn't cover. Of course, I was thrilled to find out that MSKCC is in-network now, so I get charged $20 for each visit and nothing for anything else except prescriptions. I even get my scans done at Sloan.

Imagine my shock when I received the detailed bill that Sloan is sending my insurance company. Almost $12,000 for one month of treatments, bloodwork and scans! The insurance company won't actually pay that amount, but still. I don't know how much it would have covered if Sloan was still out of network, but I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to afford to stay in the trial. My portion of the bill came to $60. Can you believe it??? After paying out all that money before July 1 of last year, it really irks me that I had to lay out the balance of all those bills and now that these two companies have a contract, I'm off the hook. Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled that I don't have to pay out that money, but it's just insanity. Those who don't have the in-network coverage get hit for tens of thousands of dollars, while those that do pay almost nothing. Doesn't seem fair to me.

Have a great weekend!