OT Cousin can't get testing for leukemia | Arthritis Information

 

On Saturday, I learned that my 20-something second cousin may have leukemia.  This poor girl has already been through a lot in life (both medically and otherwise), and has a small girl of her own to raise.  She was scheduled to get a PET test this week, but I just learned that her minimal insurance won't cover it (they don't cover testing or prescriptions).  A social worker is trying to get her some medical grants and aid, but in order to qualify, she can't even get the test with a payment plan, she has to wait. 

I am out of my mind over this and am trying to find any helpful information that might get them quick financial aid or something.  Unfortunately most of it is geared towards prescriptions rather than diagnostic testing.  If anyone has any resources (or ideas) to share, it would be greatly appreciated!

I hate that story. I don't have any advice, just wanted to say sorry.Innerglow. I'm so proud to say that I live in a city that denies NO ONE. I'm just furious when an insurance company knows what is best for someones health. This should be illegal! She needs to get her doctor involved in this. Letters need to be written with documentation that the scan is needed. She needs to raise a stink.   Maybe she needs to visit this company in person. Is this her employers insurance? Perhaps a visit to HR is needed. There are ways to get things accomplished. Tell her not to be quiet. She needs to make some calls and not take NO for an answer. Thank you both for your replies.  Unfortunately I think she is currently on welfare...she's had a number of problems before this and has been in school/job training but I don't think she's been working steadily.  I don't know if the insurance is government provided or not.

 

I will encourage her and her mother (my first cousin) to make their case to the insurance company, but I know they are both overwhelmed by all this.

a pet scan won't help diagnosis leukemia...has she had a bone marrow biopsy and a spinal tap.  buckeye2008-12-09 15:53:39A friend of mine was in a similar situation.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer for the 3rd time.  According to her oncologist-most insurance companies deny a pet scan for diagnosis.  They use it after a cancer has been found for me detailed info. someone I know says she is being tested for leukemia by blood tests. Is she pulling my leg?

symptoms, blood testing usually showing a sky high white count  (but also irregular ratios among the types of white blood cells) and low red blood cells and platets is the first step.  Next a bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap will confirm the diagnosis.

 I have to agree that a Pet Scan is not the norm for diagnosis.  My cousin has Cll and was diagnosed by blood tests after another blood test showed an abnormally high white count. how high is sky high? hers is 12.4 without the reference range and the ratios among the various types of WBC and the counts of the platelets and hemeglobin its hard to sayearly pet scans can predict response to chemo in leukemia. this may be why the doctor ordered it.

Lorster do you know of any use of a PET scan for diagnositc purposes of Leukemia because Innerglow said her cousin was waiting for one. 

buckeye2008-12-09 18:37:51my friend's husband got diagnosed with a blood test.Well, I was reading where it can be used to see how effective a chemo may be. I'm not sure about it being used for diagnostic purposes. I know it can look at the molecular level. Our community just recently received one of these machines so I really don't know. I was just throwing that out as a thought as to why the doctor may order the scan. I think here...diagnostic is just what you say, blood, bone marrow and csf. ok thanks..I was just wondering..its been a few years since a friend had been diagnosed and I didn't know for sure if anything new was done to diagnose leukemiaWell I know nothing about the diagnostic process for leukemia and didn't research it, so maybe I've gotten it wrong.  But she's being treated by a major university hospital, so I assume they know what they're doing and I've just lost it in translation.  I'm trying to be helpful without too much prying.  Thanks for all the info and I'll let you know when I find out more.I don't know what state your cousin lives in, but my brother got put on state aid with full medical insurance benefits (complete with frequent visits to UW-Madison hospital) in Wisconsin when he blew out his liver drinking.  Now the state taxpayers are going to buy him a new liver (he's on the transplant list, but since he's getting by OK now he's fairly far down on the list).  I hope he treats the new one better than the old one.  Knowing my brother, I don't have much confidence. Oh Inner, its so frustrating.  I too was wondering how a PET scan would work on leukemia.  Lori and buckeye seem to have a pretty good handle on it, perhaps someone needs to help her take a step back and re-evaluate what is needed next - maybe its basic blood and bone tests.  But she is in my thoughts and prayers.  Always.  Just an update, my mother says she thought the bloodwork shows likely leukemia, but they need the PET scan to distinguish either what kind or between that and some other disease...does that make any sense?

 

Here's the latest from my cousin's mother:

"We are already in touch with a Congressman in our area.  [My cousin's father] called his Union hall and they called the Congressman on our behalf so he is already on the case.  As for Welfare they are in touch everyday and [my cousin] is spending a lot of time there filling out forms for grants they are trying to get.  I have to say everyone is working diligently so for right now we just have to give it a little while.  I am confident we will have something going on by next week.  If not, we'll move some more people into action."
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com