The thought of going into debt to treat cancer can be just as daunting as the disease itself for many patients. Mounting medical bills often weigh heavily on patients and their families.
That’s why before you begin any treatment, you should know what may or may not be covered by insurance. You should also choose a cancer treatment center, like CyberKnife Center of Miami, the premiere radiation center for cancer treatment in South Florida, where experts can help navigate the process with you, and in some cases, work with you to create a payment plan to ease any financial stress that comes with cancer treatment.
First things first. Is CyberKnife – a highly targeted form of Stereotactic Radiosurgery or SRS covered by insurance? The short answer in many cases is YES.
As of January of 2020 SRS treatment CyberKnife treatment for spine, lung, liver and prostate cancers are “covered by Medicare in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, many private insurance payers cover SRS treatment for spine cancer,” according to Accuray, the maker of CyberKnife.
CyberKnife can also be covered by insurance for other cancers, according to Accuray.
Pancreatic Cancer: Is CyberKnife Covered by Insurance?
“Most payers (government and private) should allow coverage for SBRT, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to treat pancreatic cancer subject to medical necessity. The CyberKnife center where the SBRT procedure will be performed will contact your insurance company to determine specific coverage criteria and any co-payments / co-insurance obligations,” Accuray says.
Brain Cancer: Is CyberKnife Covered by Insurance?
“Medicare and private insurance companies in the United States may reimburse Stereotactic Radiosurgery for brain tumors subject to medical necessity and your health insurance plan constraints. Patients should contact a CyberKnife treatment center to determine, if this procedure is a covered benefit under your health insurance plan and any out-of-pockets costs such as deductibles, co-insurances, and/or copayments,” Accuray says.
Healthcare Spending Accounts or HSAs and CyberKnife
If you have an HSA, which allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and qualified medical expenses, you may be able to use some of this money toward CyberKnife treatment as well.
Payment Plans and CyberKnife Miami
At CyberKnife Miami, we also treat other cancers and medical issues requiring radiation including acoustic neuromas and AVM or Arteriovenous Malformation.
Plus, at CyberKnife Miami, we want to make sure patients get the proper treatment without any added stress – especially when it comes to payments.
We work with patients on a case-by-case basis to make sure their finances don’t discourage them from seeking treatment.
Just ask Cynthia, a resident of Saint Lucia Island in the Caribbean, who ultimately came to the CyberKnife Center of Miami to treat an AVM or a tangled mass of blood vessels in her brain but had no medical insurance.
The team at CyberKnife Miami worked with Cynthia to set up a payment plan – easing her fears about being able to pay for the treatment.
“The staff at CyberKnife Miami is so welcoming and compassionate. They help you with every aspect of your treatment plan. They make the whole process so easy, so you feel relaxed, not scared. You don’t feel like you are having a medical treatment. I actually enjoyed being there,” she says.
CyberKnife’s missile guidance technology targeted and delivered radiation directly to Cynthia’s AVM, causing it to shrivel up, while leaving healthy surrounding tissue unharmed.
Cynthia says, “Everything has improved. I have no more facial or foot pain or ringing in my ears. I do everything I did before.”
CyberKnife Treatment Miami
At CyberKnife Miami our goal is to partner with you throughout your treatment journey to make it as easy on you, and stress free as possible. That’s why we help guide you every step of the way, including working with your insurance plan, and if necessary, setting up a payment plan to make sure you get the medical treatment you deserve for your particular needs.
If you would like to learn more about CyberKnife or discuss whether it is right for you, contact our office at 305-279-2900. Our team is available to help you understand your options. And you can go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.