The Economics of Your Meningioma

1
The Economics of Your Meningioma

• Andrea Scanlon, RN
• Donna Dello Iacono NP, PhD

2
Course of Illness

• Diagnosis
• MRI, appts, co-pays, parking, hospital stay,
  surgery, rehabilitation
• Supports-babysitting, travel, friends, family
• Lost wages, for you and supports, possibly your
  position
• Intangibles-loss of consideration for promotion

3
Ongoing

• Treatments/Monitoring
• Medications, co-pays
• Radiation
• Follow-up MRIs-req. prior approval/referral
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Neuropsychiatry
• Rehabilitation Therapies

4
Your Part

• Know and carry insurance information at all
  times be familiar with your policy what does it
  cover, can you change policies? Read the fine
  print. What are your co-pays, allowances for
  second opinion, life time maximums
• Medic Alert bracelet may enable records to be
  obtained and unnecessary tests avoided if you are
  not at your treating hospital
• Bring and complete all forms needed for your
  ongoing income-communicate with both sides a big
  chore, may be delegated to a trusted person.

5
Our Part

• Maintain awareness of the 125 insurance
  policies and their ever-changing guidelines for
  your best interest the costs of medications,
  parking, and other expenses, try to coordinate
  appointments, order the fewest tests, and meds
  appropriate.
• Obtain prior authorizations for testing, surgery
  and medications. Each of these tasks may take up
  to 1.5 hours per person/per event.
• Advocate for you with insurance providers when
  you need brand name or other specialized care.
• Be aware of community resources, meals, rides,
  housing, services, etc.

6
Collectively

• Be aware of health policy that effects our
  ability to achieve and maintain wellness as a
  brain tumor community.
• Family Medical Leave Act of 1993
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
  Act (HIPAA) 1996
• The Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries
  Amendment Act 2002
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
  2009 (ARRA)-reduces COBRA payments and provides
  for continuation of benefits
• Health Reform