More than 77,000 people facing a skin cancer challenge have made Image-Guided SRT their treatment of choice, and post-treatment satisfaction surveys show that 99.8% were both happy with their decision to treat with Image-Guided SRT and would recommend the treatment to others. For many, a non-surgical solution that provides a cure rate equal to Mohs surgery is the best option. A recently published study shows Image-Guided SRT has a better two-year cure rate than Mohs surgery and will likely increase the demand for this less invasive procedure. Unfortunately, some in the medical community see the use of Image-Guided SRT (being performed in dermatology offices) as a threat to their income and are attempting to make it more difficult for patients to receive their treatment of choice. Here’s what you need to know, and what you can do about it.
The Power of Image-Guided SRT
Image-Guided SRT is a surgery-free medical procedure that utilizes precise radiation beams, guided by ultrasound, to eradicate cancer cells and spare healthy tissue with unparalleled accuracy. Image-Guided SRT continues to show remarkable success in treating non-melanoma skin cancers (basal and squamous cell skin cancer) and has a 99.3% cure rate for early-stage non-melanoma skin cancer.
The Threat
Today, Medicare and most commercial health insurance providers cover Image-Guided SRT. Some within the medical profession are actively attempting to make it more difficult for people to get the treatment option of their choosing. One way they’re doing this is by attempting to influence Medicare and commercial health insurers to deny or limit coverage for Image-Guided SRT. Without adequate insurance coverage, patients will be forced to undergo surgery, be admitted to the hospital for more costly and less effective treatment or leave their cancer untreated. Patients deserve options. Everyone needs to speak up to let Medicare and commercial health insurance providers know that people are watching and paying attention, and they must stand firm in their dedication to covering their patients and not be influenced by those placing their own financial interests ahead of patient care and patient choice.
Action
Fortunately, a retired nurse in California, with a history of skin cancer, started a petition demanding insurers continue to provide coverage for less invasive treatment options like Image-Guided SRT. You can find the petition on Change.org. The American Academy of Dermatology says that one in five Americans will receive a skin cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. If it’s not you, it will likely be someone you care about. So please, tell Medicare and commercial health insurance companies that you expect them to cover the cost of Image-Guided SRT. Tell them that it is an FDA-cleared, less invasive, and highly recommended treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers that must be covered by insurance.
Go to Change.org to sign the petition. The more signatures that are collected, the better the chance of ensuring the cost of care will be covered by insurance when you or a loved one needs it most.
