#52863 06-17-2004 05:07 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | Hi,
The financial strain caused by the disease is really starting to kick in and I need to try to find solutions. Will Medicare help out due to dental problems related to cancer and/or its treatment? There's a dental clinic at the hospital where my mom received her treatment, and if Medicare can help out it sure would ease some of this pressure and keep her overall care under one roof. Drug costs alone were more than she gets annually from SS, and we've already done the equity line of credit and the credit card thing, so I'm searching for ideas about govt. assistance programs even beyond dental care at this point. Thanks.
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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#52864 06-17-2004 05:46 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Call the Medicare folks and explain the medical necessity of taking care of the dental issues and see what they say. It may be as easy as having the doctor write a letter justifying the medical necessity. Do you have a social worker on the care team? Tap into them and ask what assistance they can help you find. Was your mother married to a veteran or retired military? That could open some avenues. Also, some of the Medicare HMO's pick up the drugs. I found one for my mother when she had terminal ovarian cancer and it was free to join and included the same cancer center she was going to anyway. You might even check with the local American Cancer Society chapter for assistance programs.
I am sorry you are having to travel such a rough road. Your mother is so fortunate to have someone by her side through all of this. You are truly special for the role you are in, too!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#52865 06-17-2004 05:53 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I gave such a long post and it didn't make it so I will try again. Sorry.
You can start by calling Medicare and asking them, explaining it is a medical necessity to take care of the dental issues. If they want proof, the doctor will surely write a letter for your mother. Is/was your mother married to a veteran or retired military? Do you have a social worker on the care team? Tap into them and have them help you find assistance in all the areas you need it. Also, you may want to check with the local American Cancer Society chapter to see what they may be able to do to help.
My mother was terminally ill with ovarian cancer and I took off work to take care of her. Financially, I never have quite recovered and that was 2000. We found ways to get free bags of fluid for hydration, reduced rate for IV pumps, free supplies and Ensure, etc. I even found a Medicare HMO that covered the medicine and was free to join. They even had the exact same doctors and cancer center as she was using anyway. Their rationale is that if they can manage the care and help reduce excessive doctor visits, etc., everyone wins. They are contracted by the US Govt. There is not much they could cut back on in your mom's case.
I am sorry you have to travel such a rough road. This disease always affects the entire circle of family and friends and seems to be the disease that keeps on giving (or taking). Your mother is very fortunate to have you by her side through all of this and you are truly a special person for the role you are in.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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