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Medicare Changes May
Impact Prostate Cancer Treatment
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A loophole in the new Medicare
Prescription Drug and Modernization Act may negatively
impact your prostate cancer treatment – or the treatment of
someone you love. |
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Prostate cancer patients currently have
a range of hormone therapy choices that allow treatment over
various time periods from one to three to four to twelve-
month injections. New reimbursement rules create an
opportunity for doctors to make more money on higher cost,
long-term cancer treatments. Be alert! This might prompt
possible switches from short to long- term therapies. |
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While there are some patients who
benefit from long-term treatments, many are better suited
for short-term therapies and enjoy their regular doctor
visits and lower co-pays. Why pay for a change in treatment
that might not be in your best interests? |
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Take Control of Your Health
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Unless it’s medically necessary to
change your therapy, tell your doctor “no treatment switches
this year” – especially if it means higher co-pays! And if
you think your doctor may have already switched your
therapy, pay attention to the way the treatment is being
administered. If it’s different than what you’re used to
then there may be cause for concern. |
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Patients’ Medical Needs Must Come First
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If you feel your doctor is putting
his interests before your medical needs, you
should write or call Dr. Mark McClellan, CMS Administrator
at 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (877)
267-2323 or contact your U.S. senator or member of Congress
(www.senate.gov
or
www.house.gov) about this issue. If you choose to write
a letter, the
FPCN can provide you with sample message points to assist
you in crafting your message. Since the FPCN is trying
to track this issue, we would appreciate receiving a copy of
your letter as well. |
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Ask them to warn Medicare carriers and
physicians NOT TO abuse the loophole – a loophole that may
encourage prostate cancer care decisions to be influenced by
reimbursement rates. |
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