SEATTLE - Len Shaw sat down to talk with us about the most personal and gut wrenching diagnosis of his life.
It's was pretty nervewrecking you know. They said, Len, we found cancer, he said.
Shaw has rectal cancer, his chemotherapy treatment was scheduled to begin Monday. Two days ago however, he received a letterthatsays beginning January 1, 2010, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will no longer accept his insurance.
Yesterday was sort of woe-is-me day, said Shaw. But, there's a lot of people that need help.
The letter says all AETNApatients from UW, Harborview and the Cancer Care Alliance will no longer be covered.The letter also tells patients to contact AETNAwith questions - but all offices are closed until Monday, which puts Shaw in a difficult situation.
Ican't start something and then, oh, we're going to stop for while and see how everything turns out.Idon't think it works that way, he said.
The University of Washington can only say this is not a done deal.A spokesperson issued a statement which says, UWMedicine is in active negotiations with AETNAand our hope is to reach an agreement that will allow patients with AETNAcoverage to continue to receive care within our health system.
When it comes down to my life as opposed to my insurance company. I'm going to choose my life, said SharonZimmerman, whosuffers from a rare form ofcancer. Both Zimmerman andShaw have a long roadahead infinding another insurance carrier willing to accept them.
Shaw says this situation makes him both sad and angry.
Youknow maybe you're going to have a baby, well, guess what? Mom, you can't come here (UW)because you have AETNA, he said.
We tried contacting AETNAseveral times today. Our calls have yet to be answered.
