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General Discussion

Southern_gent

(16 posts) Fri Dec 27, 2024, 11:46 AM Friday

12

Denial of Care [View all]

"After decades of caring for Baltimore’s poor and uninsured children, Dr. Michael L. Zollicoffer, a second-generation Baltimore pediatrician, is himself refused treatment for an ever-advancing cancer diagnosis based on an outdated and unresponsive federal Medicare policy."

https://www.washingtoninformer.com/medicare-denials-cancer-treatment/

This is a pediatrician that used to take care of my grand niece. He is a really great man but Medicare (not Medicare advantage) has denied him life saving treatment. Am I wrong to have thought that Medicare leaves these decisions to the patient and the physician? Does anyone know of the best way to push this through?

22 replies

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Highlight:

Denial of Care [View all] Southern_gent Friday OP

Sorry about doc's illness. But it's about time folks realize Medicare denies claims too. In fact, most insurers Silent Type Friday #1

Following... Sedona Friday #2

He should call his US Senator's office if they aren't rapublicons SheltieLover Friday #3

Maryland's senators are Democrats Wicked Blue Friday #6

It depends on the policy of Medicare. Jacson6 Friday #4

That's crazy. Mosby Friday #7

They only cover pap smears every other year. LeftInTX Friday #13

The GFM says "Medicare part B termination" LeftInTX Friday #5

I'll have to read more carefully. Ms. Toad Friday #9

there is a maximum radiation allowed rampartd Friday #11

It's not a hard limit. Ms. Toad Friday #14

Something is fishy here. Ms. Toad Friday #8

My son knows this physician and the person Southern_gent Friday #10

Unless the care has non-covered uses, or is experimental, Ms. Toad Friday #12

Doctors know experimental and non-covered treatments will get denied, or they learn quickly. Silent Type Friday #16

Which is why, as a general rule, Medicare does not deny claims. Ms. Toad Yesterday #17

So, in other words, the OP example is just another case of a patient griping about denials when it's their own fault. Silent Type 23 hrs ago #18

I don't know that it is their own fault. Ms. Toad 23 hrs ago #19

But once you start paying premiums, you are covered. It covers prexisting conditions and should cover ongoing treatment LeftInTX 8 hrs ago #20

I don't know. Ms. Toad 1 hr ago #21

From Dr. Zollicoffer, himself: Ms. Toad Friday #15

Patients generally don't see the Medicare denials forthemiddle 1 hr ago #22

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