Oral Chemotherapy May Start Getting Covered by Ins. in TN

[HopeinTN]

This is from my local news today. Thought I'd share.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A House committee has killed a bill to require insurance companies to pay for oral chemotherapy treatments.

The House Commerce Committee voted 19-9 on Tuesday to send the measure to a study committee after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

The bill sponsored by Republican Representative Glen Casada of Franklin would require any insurer providing coverage for intravenous chemotherapy to extend the same benefits for oral treatments.

The measure was opposed by Governor Bill Haslam and the insurance industry on the basis that it would create a government mandate.

Supporters noted that more than a dozen other states have passed similar measures without opposition from the industry.

[HopeinTN]

The bill did get canned, but theer's still hope down the road.

[me2]

I wondered who would do such a thing and I found the web page that lists your House Committee memebers and gives their email adresses. I suggest you write up a letter of inquiry and request and email it to each of the members. Let them know what you think and what you would like to see happen. Ask friends to do the same. A surprisingly small number of us can make a difference by speaking up and being active.

House Commerce Committee - TN General Assembly (http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/commerce.html)

[Debbie C]

Like I said on another post ..it's all about money and politics. If it doesn't hit there home they don't care.

[Al]

What does your insurance company say, Katrina?

Al

[HopeinTN]

I'm not sure how they feel about this but I do have to pay out of pocket for my healthcare until I pay $1200 and then I pay 80/20 until I hit the $2500 out of pocket amount. I should be there soon.

Thanks for the info above. I'm emailing them all today. Can't hurt.

[me2]

This idea hit home with me too because my insurance pays a pretty limited amount for prescription drugs but pays the heavy load of in patient stuff. It actually made me partially glad to be getting IV Cytoxan way back when because it was in patient and therefore I had better coverage. Ironically it costs a lot more than the pills. Don't forget to mention THAT to them , by having such poor coverage of pills they are steering many patients to more expensive forms of treatment , driving up the costs for every body.
If someone needs chemo they are hardly making a vanity decision to do pills if they can - what are these people thinkingi?

Actually that would be a serious question of mine, what is the problem here? And representative so and so would you agree to do an interview with our local reporter 'Reporter X' on this issue. Find you a reporter willing to field your pitch, shouldn't be hard.
If nothing else it lets them know there is attention on this issue and they get to be put down as a 'no comment'.

And please Rep SoandSo could you tell us the loibbyists you have discussed this with?

[HopeinTN]

Yes, all great points and I'll add tp my email. THANKS!

[HopeinTN]

While the bill refers to chemo drugs for Cancer treatment, I pointed out that Chemo is not only used for Cancer but as the treatment for other life threatening diseases.

[Sangye]

We get what we vote for. That's all I'm gonna say.

[Al]

We get what we vote for. That's all I'm gonna say. No fair, Sangye! I didn't vote for "them" ...Oh, you mean in the collective. Yeah. Sorry, in the collective....

Al

[newweg]

Don't want to sound dumb dumb, but a friend commented to me I am on chemotherapy...I never thought of it that way but is that correct?

[newweg]

taking methotrexate

[pberggren1]

Technically ctx, mtx, and aza are classed as chemo drugs. And CC is almost in that category as well.

[newweg]

Wow, so it is I am on chemotherapy for life!

[Red]

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired again lets repeat lol of drugs

[Dryhill]

Yes Newweg, MTX is given in much larger doses as an anti-cancer drug and can have some very nasty side effects. What strentgh are you taking and are you having regular blood tests to check there is no build up in your liver?

Jim

[newweg]

I just started 3 weeks ago, I take 7.5 mg once a week. The plan is to increase by doubling dose every 6 weeks for about 3 months. Yes, I have regular blood work to monitor. After 3 weeks we will try to wean me off prednisone, and hopefully stay off. If the MTX helps in reducing my symptoms, my rheumy hopes after 2 years on MTX I will go in remission. I have brain lesions and my sinuses are mostly affected, they believe the brain lesions are from wegs. One is on brainstem and I can not afford for it to grow. I see Dr. Meclker from Boston at HUP end of June. So his opinion will mean a lot. Don't most wegs take MTX?

ps) why can't I upload a picture? It states it is but when I try to add to profile or album, all goes away!

[Al]

I just started 3 weeks ago, I take 7.5 mg once a week. The plan is to increase by doubling dose every 6 weeks for about 3 months. Yes, I have regular blood work to monitor. After 3 weeks we will try to wean me off prednisone, and hopefully stay off. If the MTX helps in reducing my symptoms, my rheumy hopes after 2 years on MTX I will go in remission. I have brain lesions and my sinuses are mostly affected, they believe the brain lesions are from wegs. One is on brainstem and I can not afford for it to grow. I see Dr. Meclker from Boston at HUP end of June. So his opinion will mean a lot. Don't most wegs take MTX?

ps) why can't I upload a picture? It states it is but when I try to add to profile or album, all goes away!

Susan, I don't take methotrexate, as I have severe renal involvement, and MTX is not kidney-friendly. I do take azathioprine, however.

Is it Dr Meckler the neurologist you are seeing? He does know of your vasculitis, right?

Pictures: These can be tricky. First, you have to be posting, Then, enter the "Go Advanced" Mode. Then scroll down to "Manage attachments". Then follow the directions. Even then, it is a bit confusing. "Add" an attachment, upload it, and then you can copy what you have uploaded to your post, or any later post. Hope this helps!

Al

[newweg]

He is rheumatologist, I have never seen him before. He specializes in Wegs but I do not know if he knows as vasculitis.

[Al]

He is rheumatologist, I have never seen him before. He specializes in Wegs but I do not know if he knows as vasculitis.Wegs is a form of vasculitis, so if he is a WG specialist, he knows vasculitis.

Al