People always ask us and it’s just not in our nature to accept help. So some friends decided to not listen to us and started a fundraising campaign: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/yrv2/we-love-ron and we love them for it. We would do the same in their shoes and that’s ultimately why we have swallowed our pride and said ok.
Over 100 people have donated. Kelsey and I are moved to tears at the generosity and love that has been flowing from friends, family, and even complete strangers.
We’re still going to fight the insurance company as they should be the ones paying for this. And when we win that battle these donations will be paid forward.
“Thank you” somehow doesn’t seem like an appropriate response. Everyone is creating hope for us and there’s no way to pay it back, so we promise to pay it forward.
Here’s the 2nd way you can help. Jeffrey Roe is a VP at Premera Blue Cross and the CEO of LifeWise, my heath plan provider. His email address is jeffrey.roe@premera.com. Please only send constructive messages. I’m sure a few hundred messages would go a long way. He actually responded to the email I sent him already. Here’s the reasoning they gave us in the appeal for denying the coverage:
“This decision was based on the plan language and medical policy, which specifically excludes benefits on any service or procedure that LifeWise determines is experimental/investigational.”
Loma Linda built the first Proton treatment center. In 1990. They had 15,000 patients by 2011. http://www.protons.com/protons/who-we-are/about-the-proton-treatment-center/index.page
That’s the longest investigation/experiment I’ve ever fucking heard of.
Ronnie Castro 
Email to the CEO sent!
LikeLike
Hi Ronnie,
Been thinking good thoughts for you and your family. Glad to see you have such determination and humor still!
Sent this to Jeffrey Roe:
Hello Mr. Roe,
I hope you are doing well. I’m know your job is very important for many reasons. I’m sure with there are also many things out of your control as health and medicine generally is. Paying and insuring that must also be very difficult.
You have already heard from an old friend of mine, Ronnie Castro, in regards to his brain tumor and cancer. He was turned down for insurance paying for a form of treatment being told it was experimental or investigational. I would think that all medicine would fall under this category as nothing is every 100%. Cancer especially considering they can’t say exactly what causes it in a young, smart, otherwise healthy adult. There also isn’t a one cure fits all or even most scenario as if there was then it wouldn’t take the lives of so many every year.
The type of treatment he is requesting is from medical professionals with proven results that has been studied for decades. Shouldn’t insurance pay at least a portion of something that is deemed necessary for medical health that is not easily affordable. Should only the rich be able to save their own life or shouldn’t we depend on the healthcare insurance that we place our faith and trust in to also be apart of the solution? Perhaps considering the life of a father, husband, friend and overall person that benefits society is worth insurance doing their part to save his life.
Thank you for your time and hopefully LifeWise and Premera Blue Cross will consider evaluating their benefits and coverage for life saving procedures deemed experimental or investigational.
Have a wonderful day.
Kara L. Older Connor
LikeLike
Reply from Premera…at least they were quick…although standard answer. Good luck! Keep fighting.
Kara,
Thank you for getting in touch. I wanted to let you know that your email was forwarded to me and I appreciate the concern you have for your friend.
As I’m sure you can understand, LifeWise is bound by strict federal privacy laws which prevent us from discussing an individual member’s case with others. However, I can confirm that our dedicated appeals team works with our members to ensure that they understand all of the options available to them in the event that they are initially denied care, including any further appeal options they may have.
If you have any additional questions please contact me directly at 425-918-5299, or at the address or fax below:
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
Attention: Chris Eck, Sr. Manager Complaints and Appeals
P.O. Box 91102, Mailstop 123
Seattle, WA 98111-9202
Fax: (425) 918-5592
Thank you,
Chris
Christine Eck|Senior Manager, Complaints and Appeals
PREMERA BLUE CROSS
‘| Office: 425.918.5299
*| chris.eck@premera.com
LikeLike
Hi Ronnie, I am a long-time friend of Alison & Matt and heard about your story and have been following your journey through the blog. You and your family have been in my thoughts. I wrote to the CEO as well and received back a similar response to the one posted above. I have also spread the word and asked others to also write. I wish you and your family the very best. Continue to fight and be your own best advocate.
Sincerely, Amy
LikeLike
Just dropped a note to the CEO. Basically, I asked him to either take action on changing policy or donate to your care to set an example for his employees. Let’s see if Jeff sends the first donation or if another LifeWise employee beats him to it!
LikeLike