Major Insurer Accused of Denying Cancer Patients Coverage
By Consumers for Quality Care, on May 18, 2022
![Major Insurer Accused of Denying Cancer Patients Coverage](https://consumers4qualitycare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/martha-dominguez-de-gouveia-ShJUYkshceY-unsplash-860x400.jpg)
Aetna Insurance is reportedly denying cancer patients coverage claims for treatment, according to CBS 46.
Claire Thevenot, a nurse and patient care advocate, was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2018. Even after a double mastectomy, the cancer came back a few months ago. It was then that her doctors recommended Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, which uses a precision beam to target cancerous spots.
The treatment has a success rate of up to 90 percent – but Aetna denied Thevenot coverage for the treatment, saying the procedure was not medically necessary.
For Thevenot, it took three appeals to Aetna to approve and cover the time-sensitive treatment. She finally finished her targeted radiation as of several weeks ago.
CQC urges lawmakers and providers to cut red tape that prevent patients from getting the life-saving treatments they need.