Insurance Coverage Denied

I was reading in the November 16, 2009 edition of the Valley Times an article titled “Coverage denials a part of business” by Sandy Kiefmann. It was an interesting read about a woman who was denied health coverage by Kaiser because of breast cancer in 2004 and other medical issues.

The woman initially received a letter listing four reasons for denying the woman’s enrollment for Kaiser. One of the generic reasons listed in the form letter by Kaiser was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

This is what caught my eye.

Now, there are two sides to every story as I am told repeatedly but it got me to thinking.

Once Cobra runs out and if Clark does not have a job with benefits, we will have to purchase health insurance coverage.

Will Kaiser deny Clark if he applies for coverage because of his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma even though we have been Kaiser members for years?

It is a very real possibility. A friend who is a cancer survivor has given us some advice. It was never; ever allow Clark’s insurance to lapse whether it is for health or life.

We have been told that if Clark has to apply for new health insurance again he will be denied because of cancer. I actually think this is unconscionable.

You survive cancer and then are denied insurance because you survived it?

A health care worker also told Clark not to tell potential employers that he has had cancer. Yes, there are laws against discrimination but let’s face in the real world this happens much too often.

We will cross each bridge as we come to it. We pray that Clark will not be denied a job or future health care coverage because of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In fact, we should push for legislation that prohibits cancer survivors from being denied health care coverage at all. NO cancer survivor should have to worry about future care and follow up.