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My father is 86 and will likely be enrolling in hospice within the next month due to congestive heart failure. We suspect he may also have lung and/or prostate cancer based on tests taken during a recent ER visit. He has a supplemental insurance policy that will pay out based on a cancer diagnosis. Should I pursue testing to get a diagnosis so we can file a claim? Part of me says, he's been paying for it all these years so let's get the benefit of having it. The other part of me says let's not put him through any more testing than absolutely necessary. We will not be treating either cancer if confirmed. I am waiting for specific instructions from the insurance carrier as to what they need from us to process a claim. I don't want to put him through a bunch of testing just for the money, but why leave the money on the table? It's a $10K policy, so sizeable enough to consider pursuing.

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My DH just had his yearly Medicare physical. He had a prostate infection and took antibiotics. Just had a follow up lab to see if infection is gone. His numbers show that cancer maybe present doesn't mean it is. If it is, been told it moves very slowly, husband is 78, and nothing would be done at this time. I would say maybe a needle biopsy? Just to see if cancer is present. If so, then cash in that policy.
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kans1220 May 6, 2025
That's kind of where my dad is too. Urologist suspected cancer 3 or so years ago, but we agreed we would not pursue any testing or treatment at that time. I didn't know that insurance policy even existed at that time. It seems foolish to not make a claim for the insurance if the testing isn't too painful for him. I will see what the insurance company exactly needs to make a claim. Thanks for your thoughts.
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What do you think he would want? Is hospice his choice, your choice, and/or someone else's? Hospice should never be forced on anyone. $10K isn't a lot of money, but you could use it to pay for his funeral expenses.
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kans1220 May 6, 2025
Truthfully, I haven't mentioned this to my dad yet. I didn't want to get him all riled up if I don't pursue the testing. I'm not sure what he will say. I'll see what is required and discuss with his PCP. I agree, not a lot of money, but why not claim it if testing is reasonable. Thank you swmckeown76.
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There's no downside to having a diagnosis confirmed. A supplemental policy will cover what Medicare doesn't. If the testing is minimally invasive with little to no discomfort, I would do it. Also, I'm a little confused by your stating it is a supplemental policy but it has a value of $10K? Sounds like a life insurance policy? I have a supplement BCBS policy and there's no lump value attached to it. More info would be helpful.
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kans1220 May 6, 2025
The policy is a lump-sum cancer policy thru Cigna. Apparently they will pay out based on a diagnosis - treatment not required. I'll have to wait to read the claim form and then discuss with my dad's PCP to determine how invasive any testing may be. The agent who sold my dad his policy is no longer with the agency nor the company. No one at the agency knows anything about the policy. I called Cigna and the rep couldn't verify any info either. Not very good customer service. Thanks for your thoughts.
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I have stage 4 metastatic melanoma cancer. The only test that was done was a biopsy of a lymph node in my armpit to determine the type of cancer that was ravaging my body. That test was painless thanks to lidocaine.

You are trying to make decisions based on not knowing all the information. Ask the doctor what tests are involved to determine your dad has cancer? A simple and painless PET scan may be all that's required. I have one every 3 months and it requires an IV for 3 minutes, then a CT scan. A bone marrow biopsy is only used for certain types of cancer....my husband had one and yelped for 3 seconds, and that was it. Get all the info and know what you're dealing with before you leave 10k on the table. Money that can help make dad's end of life a bit more luxurious.

I'm sorry you're going through this whole ordeal, both of you. Wishing you good luck and Godspeed as you move forward.
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Midkid58 May 5, 2025
Lealonnie is correct--some of the tests for cancer are relatively non-intrusive. She got lucky on that!

My bone marrow biopsy involved drilling into the ileac crest of my hip (the highest part of the pelvic bones, in the back, and sucking out some bone marrow and cutting a portion of bone. Novocain on the skin only. I was laying on my stomach, told DO NOT MOVE as the Dr performed this procedure. I was biting on a towel to keep from screaming. (I'm no wuss, I delivered 5-10 lb babies and those were cake walks by comparison!)

Pet Scans are painless and actually kind of nice. (They are also considered a gold standard for cancer dx).

I had a large lymph node in my neck aspirated to get some cells. No Novocain, just 'this won't take long' AND DON'T MOVE!

Every cancer has its ow protocols so if you decide to go forward with dad, ASK QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND.

I learned the hard way to ask for a fentanyl lollipop during invasive tests where I had to be awake.

I also am wondering about a $10K 'policy'. Is it health insurance add on or life insurance?
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ANY testing for cancer is likely to be A: painful and B: super annoying. I know, b/c I HAD cancer and I seriously looked at one Dr one day and said "Are you KIDDING me? Do you guys sit around and make up these heinous tests???" (I was half honest and half just appalled at the test she was prepping me for. (A bone marrow biopsy, seriously THE single most painful procedure I've ever had done!)

So--IDK, how much do you want to put your dad through? Not that $10K is a paltry amount, but my bills for one biopsy of lymph nodes in my neck were over $10K.

In my heart, I want to tell you to let your dad go on Hospice and stick with the comfort meds routine. Does it matter what kind of cancer he has? Unless you're just curious?

Does this ins policy pay for TX or is it a life insurance policy? Either way...$10K is not a life altering amount of money.

Up to you, but I would think long and hard about this. Every single test I had pre-chemotherapy was painful and uncomfortable. And I was a 'healthy' cancer patient. Your dad has 30 years on me when I was dxed and began a month of testing.
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kans1220 May 6, 2025
Thank you Midkid58 for your thoughts. Yes, I will need to find out if insurance will cover the testing. It wouldn't make sense to pay out of pocket if the cost is prohibitive. The policy is a lump sum cancer policy. Apparently diagnosis only is required, treatment not required. I'll read what the claim form requires when I receive it and then discuss with his PCP. I don't want to put him through any pain at this point. I have heard bone marrow testing is very painful. Sorry you had to go through that.
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