#39119 09-09-2005 11:28 AM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 24 Member | OP  Member
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 24 | I am a 7 year survivor of sqaumous cell carcinoma of the tongue, tongue resection, node removal, and 42 radiation treatments. I am now suffering from the effects of the radiation. Is anyone out there experiences any similiar oral problems??? I could use some support. I am fighting with the medical insurance to try and cover my dental expenses ,since I exhaust my $2000 every year. Now my dentist wants me to see an endodontist because my gums and jaw are starting to deteriorate and he isnt sure what our next step is. I feel my medical insurance should cover my expenses since it started with a medical condition and resulted in xerostomia. Help! Maria 
Maria 33 when diagnosed with SCC, partial glossectomy with skin graph from thigh,rt side nodes removed,ten nodes positive, PEG, 30 RAD tx, 1998. Scans clean.30 HBO tx-Massive dental work 07-08, ORN present 2009.
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#39120 09-09-2005 12:01 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | I'm not in a similar position yet but I'm likely to have simoilar problems in the future since my medical insurance does not cover ANYTHING if it looks like dental--even if its from a medical condition and is surgery. I do have dental insurance but it isn't a good plan and its through my husbands workplace and it doesn't cover oral surgery because at his workplace, his health insurance covers that (but I don't have that health insurance, I have health insurance through my own workplace).
So there's a big hole, especially for oral surgery, where I'm not covered at all.
If you find some way to bring your insurance comany around, let me know!
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#39121 09-09-2005 02:44 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Over the time since I was diagnosed, I've been in at least four different medical insurance plans. As far as I can recall, every time my oral surgeon has had to do any procedure, he has put it through medical coverage and it hasn't bounced. I don't know whether he has had to do any fighting behind the scenes, but I haven't heard about it.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#39122 09-09-2005 02:56 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | We also anticipate fighting with John's Ins. Co. as some point down the road because all but 4 capped front teeth and part of his lower jaw bone were removed during his cancer surgery. I've read his Med coverage very carefully and I believe it states that dental work done as a result of a medical problem is to be covered. That being said, we had to fight to get the teeth extraction part of the surgery paid to the surgeon. If I have to, I will hire a lawyer when the time comes for John to have dentures or any lower jaw reconstruction. I am learning every day that fighting the ins. folk is just part of their game plan. They hope we will either get lost in the paperwork or give up. So my advice to you is HANG TOUGH! Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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