Frankfort man’s chemo drugs will be paid for
UniCare had denied coverage

December 6, 2007

By Clare Walters, Staff writer

A health insurance company has reversed its decision and will pay for a Frankfort man’s chemotherapy drugs, his family says.

Jody Polka, daughter of 58-year-old Cyril Strezo, said today she received a call from UniCare saying it will cover the costs of her father’s treatments.

The company initially denied coverage of two chemotherapy drugs, calling them “experimental and/or investigative” relative to Strezo’s type of cancer.

After reading about Strezo's plight in the SouthtownStar, the attorney general's health bureau contacted the family Wednesday about filing a consumer complaint on their behalf.

Strezo was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June and was treated with chemotherapy and radiation at that time. During surgery in October, it was discovered the cancer moved to his liver. His oncologist then prescribed two chemotherapy drugs, but the insurance company denied coverage.

The Strezos appealed the decision, but chose to begin chemotherapy Tuesday at an out-of-pocket cost of $3,000 per week.


UniCare has declined to comment specifically about Strezo's case.

UniCare spokesman Tony Felts said Wednesday it was the type of case "that could be considered urgent," meaning a decision on the appeal could be made withing a couple of days.

And had this story never reached the newspapers that guy would either be dead from his cancer or broke from paying for his own chemo.

How fucked up is it that insurance companies only pay up when the lost revenue and premium caused by negative PR outweighs the money they would have spent by just covering the guy's drugs?

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The CSFMB: One big Crab Bucket.

That's what insurance companys want. They deny, deny, deny. Beleive it or not a lot of people just accept it. So it's worth it to deny for the ones that fight. They'll either die trying or won't have it reach the papers or media so they aren't pressured.

If they are exposed then they'll pay.

In the long wrong they still win out. They either lose the fight and pay what the holder is entitled too anyway or people give up and they don't have to pay.

Glad to see your Dad get what he deserves from those bastards Cy.

Just wanted to get back to you all and let you know that the insurance company has given in to the power of the press and they have picked up the chemo. Funny how they pushed their decision by two weeks and instantly gave it to him. This was all my sister Jody and we are happy that she did all she did to give my dad a chance to beat this. It's just a shame that the insurance companies cant just do what the doctors see fit. To them nothing matters but the bottom line.

Anyone who has dealt with Cancer knows that everyday is a challenge. It was a tough weekend for Pops but he keeps battling and we still have hope that he will come through. Thanks for all your support and hopefully the best will come of all this. Thank you again and I will keep everyone here updated on my father.

Good Luck!

As a Cancer ASS-Kicker...My thoughts are with you and your family!

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@audioidkid

My god is a very powerful god and I am one of his favored acolytes.