Cancer Center Does't Care!

[af2008]

My wife has a life threatening blood disorder called ITP. It is not cancer but is treated somewhat like cancer. She has to deal with the Cary Cancer center in Hannibal. She is basically uninsurable because of this. If her platlet count gets too low she has to have a transfusion or she'll bleed to death internally. The Cancer Center is now refusing her treatment because we can't get insurance and can't afford the treatments. A transfusion is 15,000.00! We got the pharmacutical company to cover the 4,000 dollar cost of the injection. But without the doctors to do bloodwork she don't know what her count is. We can go to columbia but she my not make it there if here platlets are too low. They are hateful(except for a couple of nurses that understand) and won't help us find assistance. All they are is a money pit! Thanks too the free clinic we are able to continue the treatments in Hannibal. Hannibal can get the same programs that Columbia has to help patients that have financial difficulties but won't do it. Why? Because they don't care! Columbia can write off treatments to charity but Hannibal refuses to do that unless they force you into bankruptcy. She could of had her disability and medicaid but Dr Bari at the Cancer Center said that since she can spend time with her granddaughter she can work! I can't believe he went against the welfare of his patient! especially since her regular Dr supports her on getting her disability. Thank God for the Free Clinic and the people there who actually care about your welfare and not making a buck!

[Class of 69er]

I don't know the money end of things, but this center has helped many of my family and friends, and we found them to be very caring. All these people were seniors on Medicare. I imagine they can only do so much to help people without insurance, it isn't a free clinic. I wouldn't say they don't 'care,' I would think maybe their hands are tied.

I'm glad you have found a free clinic who can help you, and I hope you can find other means to help you wife as well. I will keep your wife in my prayers.

[Mississippi Gal]

Why would Medicare pay/reimburse the hospital more than same services at the surgery center? Is the surgery center connected to the clinic or the hopital.