Neema, a 64 year-old retired secretary, had recently been diagnosed with Stage II lung cancer. She had taken early retirement two years prior when her company downsized and her husband, who was already retired and 67 years old, developed Parkinson’s disease. She had been caring for him since retirement. Neema, who was also living with Type II diabetes, been seeing the same doctor for many years and was very comfortable with his care.
Unfortunately, her former employer had recently scaled back benefits to retirees, causing her insurance coverage to change. Now, her only choice for an insurance plan was an HMO that did not cover visits to her long-time doctor. What’s more, she was not covered for treatment at the Cancer Center where she wanted to go. “It’s not the lung cancer that wears me out,” said Neema. “What wears me out is trying to get through the health care system.”
While an advocate was not able to change Neema’s insurance situation, he was able to help her transition to her new providers. She was empowered to ask her long-time doctor to participate in a conference call with her new provider and to share insights about her condition. Neema also learned from her new doctor that he regularly collaborated with doctors at the Cancer Center and reassured her that he was well positioned to treat her. Neema also learned about respite resources in her community and now spends a weekend every other month resting at her sister’s house while her husband is cared for by visiting CNAs.
