Health Insurance Open Enrollment

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHANGING YOUR INSURANCE:

• Is Oncology Consultants contracted with the insurance plan?
• What are the Part B and Part D benefits? Are there any specific exclusions? Does the plan cover my current infusion or oral treatment? Is there a deductible and co-insurance amount for treatment?
• Are there any facility or geographic restrictions on the plan I am considering? Do I have to use a certain hospital system, should I require inpatient care? Does my oncologist have privileges to see me at that hospital system?
• Should I consider enrolling in a secondary plan, if I only have primary coverage?
• How long will the insurance plan take to authorize my treatment?
• If my treatment changes, what impact will that have on me financially? For example, if the cost of my treatment goes up 10%, what will my out of pocket be? Can I afford that?
• What are the Radiation Therapy benefits?
• Will the insurance plan pay for my Imaging Services such as PET, MRI and CT scans? Are the number of PET scans restricted? Is there a separate deductible for scans?

ONCE YOU SELECT YOUR NEW PLAN:

• Call us at (832)827-8599 immediately. We will need time to confirm that we are contracted with your new plan, to verify coverage, to obtain a new authorization and to update our system.
• Your new plan may require you to obtain a referral from a primary care physician. If so, you will likely need to make an appointment to see them before your treatment at Oncology Consultants will be authorized. Make an appointment to see your new primary care physician the first week of January, or as soon as possible.
• If you are facing financial difficulties, call us at (713) 800-0652 or (713) 800-0682 prior to your visit. You are expected to meet your financial responsibilities to Oncology Consultants. We will do our best to help you find financial assistance if available.

WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU CHANGE YOUR INSURANCE:

• Expect delays. Your new insurance plan may not have your information loaded into their system until after January 1st. It can then take up to a few weeks to obtain an authorization.
• Expect to pay a new deductible and co-insurance amount, as well as a co-pay amount, for office visits, for treatments, visits, labs, imaging studies, Radiation Therapy and medication.
• Expect to provide a copy of your new insurance card.