As he fights for his life, Larry Collins of Beach Lake can’t believe he also has to worry about medical bills.
Diagnosed with stage four brain cell cancer, Collins underwent surgery in July to remove a large tumor, six-inches long and two inches thick. His latest MRI shows nothing’s changed since surgery. His prognosis remains the same: 16 to 22 months to live.
In his early 40s, Collins can no longer work and has no health insurance. He had been receiving medical assistance, but says that stopped December 31, 2008, when he qualified for Social Security Disability. Now, he’s told he has to wait two years before he’ll be eligible for medical assistance. It’s a long time to wait as medical bills mount, he says.
Treatment involves oral chemotherapy, five days each month — at a cost of $4,500 per month. “I’m lucky. I contacted the company that makes the drug, and they put me on a program where they provide it for free. But all my other doctor bills, I have to pay for,” he said. Every three months, he has to get an MRI, costing $1,500 to $2,000 — something he’ll have to pay for out of pocket.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, Collins says. He says it was his oncologist’s office that put him in touch with the drug company which provides his medication for free. He also recommends paying a visit to your state representative’s office. “Go to Mike Peifer. They have a book in the office that lists all the drugs that are in this program,” he said.
Need for change
“I want to see that anybody that is on Social Security Disability, gets medical assistance immediately, not having to wait two years. Because obviously, if they’re getting disability, there’s medical issues. I think they’re just gambling that I’ll be dead before that time comes, because they only gave me 16 to 22 months,” he said. “I hope to be able to change this before I die, so no one else has to go through it. You’ve got enough to worry about, besides the financial situation,” he said.
“Because I’ve worked hard, paid taxes, worked two jobs my whole life, now I get punished because I get a little bit more money than the average person my age. So now I get punished and they take away my medical assistance,” he said.
Collins was in touch with Congressman Chris Carney’s office, and spoke with field representative Ed Zygmunt. Since Collins served in the Marine Corps (1984-87), Zygmunt is looking into the Wounded Warrior Program.
Collins thanked everyone who has helped him along the way, whether through fundraisers or just being there. “I appreciate it very much. And if anybody knows anybody that’s in this situation out there — help them out, anyway you can. Give them a ride ... Anything is a help and it’s very appreciated. You’re in a situation where you don’t really want to ask for (help),” he said.
