[Conservative til I die]

Let me clarify. I had gotten CT scans done in late September that indicated, although no diagnosis could be made from them, indiciated a possibility of cancer. I immediately applied for coverage which would begin Oct 1. In going back to the GP, what he basically did was give me a phyical, EKG, EEG, blood test, the whole nine yards, and then sent me back to get another CT done, but this time the whole body and not just the neck. Then we saw the surgeon and got two biopsies from him about two weeks later, with the official diagnosis made the last week of October.

So really, there was no deception, as I would have been covered since my insurance kicked in before the diagnosis was made (and a biopsy is the *only* way to make a diagnosis. Scans just indicate a few possibilities of what could be wrong, as in "Hey, this is bad, and you could have x, y, and z."). The only thing he did was be helpful and not give the sons of bitches (and they are absolute scumbags) at the insurance company any wiggle room to bend me over and rape me. Turns out anyway that the law in the state that employed me (I live in a different state) mandated that I be covered anyway, so it was all a moot point. But believe me, every doctor I met was sympathetic. They realize what scum the insurance companies are and how some of them actually give bonuses for disqualifying people like me.

I'm no liberal and will never ever be a proponent of universal care, but the insurance companies really forget what line of work they are in, and put profits before people. If they were running a casino, I could understand, but they run a business that is in the business of helping people, and for the $4500 I paid last year for coverage (with them raising my rate 35% this month) their answer to my plight normally would be "Tough shit. Go die in quiet."

[malakhi]

and not give the sons of bitches (and they are absolute scumbags) at the insurance company any wiggle room

Insurance companies are in business to collect premiums, not to pay claims. They are up pretty high on my personal "loathing list".

[Aliska]

I don't see an ethical problem after your explanation except with the insurance companies :-). They have to care more about money and reports to stockholders than people. I don't like the idea of national health, but I don't see things getting any better.

I do hope you will make a full recovery. It sounds like you have been through a living nightmare. Glad the docs are working on your side.