Is Cancer considered a pre existing condition?

mssue

Right now I've got my Cobra. That is only good for eighteen months,my question is after that will another ins. co carry me if some thing else comes up along the same lines or will I be denied. If anyone has any info on the subject let me know,please.
Thanks,
Sue
_________________
Sue
Age-44
DX-8/29/2003
Stage 1 - ER/PR-,HER2-NU+
Infilterating Ductal Carcinoma
Modified Radical Mastectomy/Left-side
4 Rounds of A/C-completed 1/2004

btgoss · Regular Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 20

Hello Sue,
I have not dealt with this issue directly. A friend of mine, who was diagnosed with cancer while in college, tells me that we do not have to reveal anything to a future employer. I know he has not done so with his current employer, and he assures we that legally he is not responsible to say anything.
I hope someone with a legal background could give us a real answer.
Good Luck,
Brian

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

I honestly do not know the answer to your question. But your health is none of your employer's business, so you can apply and work without them knowing.

regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

tjs774 · New User Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

I'd be careful about not mentioning the condition to your employer (or more importantly, the company's insurance agent). If you we're found to be lying about a preexisting conidtion, the insurance company can refuse to pay and will simply refund any permiums that you've paid.

Your best bet is to try to find insurance through the same company that you ported your coverage through with COBRA. Since COBRA is basically an extention of your coverage, preexisting condition shouldn't apply.

I work with AFLAC and I know that's how we often handle these situations, but I don't know for sure how other Major medical plans would handle it.

Hope this helps,

SFTC
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mssue · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:39 am Post subject: Re

Thanks for the information-it is greatly appreciated.
_________________
Sue
Age-44
DX-8/29/2003
Stage 1 - ER/PR-,HER2-NU+
Infilterating Ductal Carcinoma
Modified Radical Mastectomy/Left-side
4 Rounds of A/C-completed 1/2004

Nic871 · New User Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

I am a 30 year old cancer survivor of 20 years and was speaking with a medical company today about a program that would allow me to purchase their prescription medication at a reduced cost. I should note that this medication has nothing to do at all with cancer and I have been in remission for over twenty years.

I was honest when discussing my medical background and as soon as I mentioned that I had cancer was told, "we do not treat pre existing conditions." I asked him to clarify and he repeated the same thing. I then explained to him that I was not asking for cancer treatment and that I was a relatively healthy young adult. He then told me he did not appreciate my tone and hung up on me.

So.. is this par for the course, should I just not mention cancer in the future? More importantly am I going to be denied flu medication in a couple of years because I had cancer as a child? I was totally baffled... any advice/insight?

brainman

Nic871, it is par for the course. Most insurance companies... even those that say they do not require a medical examination... do use questions to weed out anyone who has EVER had cancer.

Pharmaceutical companies do have help available for some people. However, you almost have to have no income in order to qualify.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Nic871 · New User Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

thanks for the info Smile

Penny

When I went to work at a new company, they didn't ask about cancer and I didn't tell. I don't think they can. When I signed up for company insurance, I filled out all the paper work and was honest about my history. When my cancer came back my insurance was fine and it was not considered pre-existing. It had been over a year since my first dx and that may have played a part but I had only had the insurance for a few weeks when the recurrance was found. Our company recently changed insurance companies and they still didn't have a problem with paying my claims. Hope this helps some.
Good luck

REB

[quote="Penny"]When I went to work at a new company, they didn't ask about cancer and I didn't tell. I don't think they can. When I signed up for company insurance, I filled out all the paper work and was honest about my history. When my cancer came back my insurance was fine and it was not considered pre-existing. It had been over a year since my first dx and that may have played a part but I had only had the insurance for a few weeks when the recurrance was found. Our company recently changed insurance companies and they still didn't have a problem with paying my claims. Hope this helps some.
Good luck[/quote]

This also concerns me, as I have been thinking about switching jobs (I work for a small company where raises are few and far between, and not keeping up with the cost of living increases). I was actually in the process of looking for a new job when I found out I have cancer. Now I feel like I am stuck here- held bondage by health insurance because of cancer.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

brainman

Companies CANNOT ask you medical information prior or after hiring a person. At least in the US, health of a prospective employee cannot be a factor in the company's decision. Neither can health be considered when firing someone. However, this does not mean that health does not effect your insurability. Most major companies, health is not a factor; possibly after a reasonable waiting period (often 1 year), you will be covered by their group insurance plan(s). Small companies do not have any legal obligation to even offer health insurance.

Of course, all of that is how it is supposed to work. The best company's hiring policies can go done the drain if the receptionist in their HR department is a racist, bigoted, sexist, money hungry prick who takes one look at that big scar on your old head and automatically says to him/herself: "No way!!" Razz

REB, my advice to you is that if you can at least stand your current job, stay in it unless you are very sure that the new company will hire you and that you will indeed be covered by their insurance. COBRA is available to cover any time that you go without insurance but it is expensive.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Barbara K · Regular Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 34

If your new employer's insurance company denies coverage for Breast or Cervical Cancer because it's a pre-existing condition, then you can apply for the Free Medical Assistance program for Breast & Cervical Cancer. This coverage is not only for uninsured employed women, it is also for those women whose health insurance through their job does not pay for Breast &/or Cervical Cancer because the insurance company considers it a pre-existing condition.

Here is a general link that explains the Medical Assistance Program for Breast & Cervical Cancer in more detail.
http://www.coverageforall.org/pdf/FHCE_FedPovertyLevel.pdf

If you respond to my email and let me know which state you reside in, I can get you detailed and specific information of the eligibility requirements and application process for that state.

Barbara K.

Barbara K · Regular Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 34

I posted the wrong link in my previous message.
That link was the link to the Federal Poverty Income limits charts.

The correct link where it describes the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention & Treatment Act of 2000 is here.

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/legislation/law106-354.htm

My apologies for putting the wrong link in the previous message.

Barbara K.

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