While being in the hospital system, both as a nurse and as a patient, I have many a time been surprised to see how this system works - for better and for worse. In the following I've tried to gather some good advice, which I hope you can use, should you happen to find yourself in the same situation as I. If you too should have experiences, you are welcome to write me, so I can add these to the list:
60 percent reimbursement on nutritional drinks
If you don't eat enough, perhaps due to chemotherapy, there are nutritional supplements that you can drink, if you don't have much of an appetite. It's just that they are very expensive, but your doctor can give you a "green prescription", which entitles you to a 60% discount. I drank Nutridrink and the prescription lowered the price from 22 DKK a piece to 9 DKK.
Payment for Critical Illness:
The pension funds have a clause called "critical illness". If you have cancer, this clause gives you the possibility of receiving money as a lump sum payment. You can get an application form from your pension fund.
Copy of your Medical Record:
You have a right of access to documents by law and you can therefore request a copy of your medical record. My copy helped me better follow my illness, treatment etc. Should you need x-rays for use for treatment with other therapists, you can check with the hospital if they can lend them to you temporarily - alternatively you can buy copies.
The Health Center Humlegården:
There are numerous alternative offers, but I think I should mention Humlegården. I haven't used the place myself and I know that there are both positive and negative opinions about the place. But it IS an offer in the private sector, which cancer patients can use.
Documentation in your Medical Records:
No matter what sort of alternative treatment you may use, try to have the doctor make a note of what you use in your medical record. This way the alternative treatment can be documented. Tissue after biopsies: Tissue taken out at a biopsy still legally belongs to the patient. So, should you wish to use other offers on diagnosing, which requires tissue, you can request that the hospital returns tissue already taken out. That way you'll avoid another biopsy.
Insurance when travelling:
If you have cancer and you are going to travel, you probably have to send an advance commitment to the insurance company. Don't think that you're automatically covered. It could cost you a fortune, should you fall ill while travelling. The advance commitment can be picked up at you insurance company and must be filled in by the doctor who treats you.
