Webinar Recap: Navigating Insurance, Medicare and Financial Assistance

Treatment & Doctors

Written by Travis Rodgers | Edited by Amy Edel

Patient Advocates discuss insurance and financial assistance in a free webinar.

A medical bill can arrive weeks after an appointment, leaving a family to figure out what they owe and how to pay it. Insurance can also stand between patients and the mesothelioma specialists they need, especially when a doctor is out of network or a plan denies coverage.

In our webinar, Navigating Insurance, Medicare and Financial Assistance, Patient Advocates Missy Peterson and Danielle DiPietro discussed these challenges and how they help patients and families work through insurance problems and find financial assistance. Amy Edel, senior editor and content strategist at The Mesothelioma Center, hosted the discussion.

When Insurance Gets in the Way of Care

A doctor may be the right fit for a patient with mesothelioma, but getting an appointment isn’t always straightforward. Insurance plans have different rules for referrals, prior authorizations and out-of-network care, and patients may not know what’s covered until they start asking questions. These details can become major obstacles when a patient needs specialized treatment from a mesothelioma specialist or wants to receive care at a particular cancer center.

Missy sees how often insurance networks get in the way of specialized care. “Patients have a really hard time getting in to see a doctor that specializes in mesothelioma because the doctor is out of network, so we do try to help patients with appeal processes to overcome these different barriers.” During the webinar, she discussed how Patient Advocates help families address coverage issues and what patients can do when an insurer denies care.

Insurance plans also differ in the referrals and approvals they require, and patients may need to explore their options before seeing a specialist outside their network. Missy discussed why it helps to ask about coverage before making appointments or travel plans, particularly when specialized care isn’t available nearby.

Free Webinar

Navigating Insurance, Medicare & Financial Help

Get your free copy of our webinar on navigating insurance, Medicare and financial resources with Medical Outreach Director Missy Peterson and financial advocate Danielle DiPietro.

Get Your Free Recording

The Costs Families May Not Expect

The cost of mesothelioma treatment isn’t always clear when treatment begins. Patients may have copays and prescription costs to consider, along with travel, hotel stays and lost income when they or a family caregiver need time away from work. These expenses can add up even before a family knows exactly what its medical bills will be.

Danielle has seen how far families sometimes travel to reach a specialist. “That can mean a one-hour drive, a ten-hour drive, and a plane ride. We have seen it all,” she said. Travel and lodging can add to the costs families are already trying to manage while arranging care.

Medical bills can be difficult to plan for, too. Danielle described how patients may wait weeks or months to learn what they owe for an appointment or treatment. “You really just don’t know what that means or what that’s going to cost you until you open the mail one day, a couple months later, and then there’s the bill.” During the webinar, she discussed financial assistance that may help with medical expenses, travel and everyday bills, as well as why the resources available can vary from family to family.

How Patient Advocates Help

Insurance questions and medical expenses don’t always come one at a time. A family may be trying to arrange an appointment with a specialist while also figuring out coverage, paying bills and looking for help with travel. Missy and Danielle explained how The Mesothelioma Center’s Patient Advocates help patients with insurance questions, specialized care and financial concerns.

Depending on a family’s circumstances, more than one advocate may get involved to help with specialized care, financial assistance or VA claims. “If I don’t have the answer, I’ll refer you to someone else on the team that does,” Danielle said. She also explained that needs can change during treatment as patients face new side effects, changes in their treatment plans or the need for home medical equipment.

Danielle encouraged families to reach out when something changes rather than try to figure everything out themselves. “Don’t ever hesitate to reach out and ask for help. This isn’t something that a patient should be doing alone.” Missy echoed that message: “Don’t hesitate to use us when you run into a hurdle and you need our help.”