Frieda Carone's cancer battle & medical expenses
Donation protected
In April 2015 I found out I had breast cancer Stage 1. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive lobular carcinoma hormone dependent I had a lumpectomy and radiation treatment as a precaution since Breast cancer ran rampant thru my moms side of the family although I had the Braca test it showed I didn't have the gene.
12/17/2018 I received a call from my oncologist after I had already received a letter in the mail that the 3-D mammogram was clean and clear to tell me that my MRI had picked up cancer. I was diagnosed as Stage 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Breast cancer - hormone dependent. The next day I immediately contacted my insurance company to see what steps I needed to take. They informed me I would not be covered since I was on the hormone blocker drug Aromasin. They considered that to be active cancer as if I was taking radiation or Chemotherapy and as such I was not over three years free of cancer and my medical costs would be denied for pre-existing condition.
Although I had missed the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obama Care) open enrollment by three days I did attempt to submit an application based on their exception process. I found that I fell into the bucket of recently having moved within 90 days of open enrollment date 12/15/2018. I pushed back my surgery pending this new information. I called every other week as the approval was subject to income documents and documents proving my move date to Florida. However Feb 2, 18 came and went and I got desperate. Finally the week of Feb 18 I was able to get someone to pull my file long story short she informed me since I presently had insurance they would not insure me even though they had denied me and would not cover my cancer.
On March 26, 2019 I had a mastectomy. When the surgeon completed the mastectomy we found out the cancer was much larger. It was Stage 3 cancer and instead of my lymph nodes being clean as originally thought they found one of the three removed had cancer cells so now I have to have chemotherapy . Although I was tested negative for the Braca Gene. My mother’s side of the family - is inundated with Breast Cancer just like mine.
A friend referred me to the National Patient Advocacy group for assistance. There was nothing they could do about my current insurer after many telephone conversations however they felt an appeal to Affordable Care act was justified. They filed the following week and as the story goes my case has been pending since February 25, 2019. Nether the Patient Advocacy Group nor my self are putting any hope in this being approved. I have already incurred all medical costs with exception of up coming Lymph node therapist and five months of Chemotherapy. My medical bills are still coming in and presently I am at $68,000.00 +. I have paid the smaller ones that I could afford on our retirement incomes.
12/17/2018 I received a call from my oncologist after I had already received a letter in the mail that the 3-D mammogram was clean and clear to tell me that my MRI had picked up cancer. I was diagnosed as Stage 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Breast cancer - hormone dependent. The next day I immediately contacted my insurance company to see what steps I needed to take. They informed me I would not be covered since I was on the hormone blocker drug Aromasin. They considered that to be active cancer as if I was taking radiation or Chemotherapy and as such I was not over three years free of cancer and my medical costs would be denied for pre-existing condition.
Although I had missed the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obama Care) open enrollment by three days I did attempt to submit an application based on their exception process. I found that I fell into the bucket of recently having moved within 90 days of open enrollment date 12/15/2018. I pushed back my surgery pending this new information. I called every other week as the approval was subject to income documents and documents proving my move date to Florida. However Feb 2, 18 came and went and I got desperate. Finally the week of Feb 18 I was able to get someone to pull my file long story short she informed me since I presently had insurance they would not insure me even though they had denied me and would not cover my cancer.
On March 26, 2019 I had a mastectomy. When the surgeon completed the mastectomy we found out the cancer was much larger. It was Stage 3 cancer and instead of my lymph nodes being clean as originally thought they found one of the three removed had cancer cells so now I have to have chemotherapy . Although I was tested negative for the Braca Gene. My mother’s side of the family - is inundated with Breast Cancer just like mine.
A friend referred me to the National Patient Advocacy group for assistance. There was nothing they could do about my current insurer after many telephone conversations however they felt an appeal to Affordable Care act was justified. They filed the following week and as the story goes my case has been pending since February 25, 2019. Nether the Patient Advocacy Group nor my self are putting any hope in this being approved. I have already incurred all medical costs with exception of up coming Lymph node therapist and five months of Chemotherapy. My medical bills are still coming in and presently I am at $68,000.00 +. I have paid the smaller ones that I could afford on our retirement incomes.
Organizer
Frieda Carone
Organizer
Fernandina Beach, FL