City of Hope steps in to help single mom who was denied life-prolonging surgery
Given just months left to live, Rokhsan Enonoria was set to get surgery to remove tumors from her liver and colon, but just days before, her insurance denied it – calling It "not medically necessary."
"I need to raise my child. I want to see her graduate. I deserve that, she deserves that. And who are they to plan my destiny?," said Enonoria.
In January of last year, Enonoria was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, which had spread to her lungs and liver, and given just two months to live.
The single mom and Burbank resident turned to City Of Hope for a second opinion, where doctors put her on an intense regimen of 20 chemo and targeted therapies.
"What the purpose of all this has been is to get me into surgery," said Enonoria.
That surgery to remove tumors from into Enonoria's liver and colon was scheduled for two days after Mother's Day and her 51st birthday, but the Friday before it was to take place her PPO insurance denied the surgery, calling it "not medically necessary."
"I don't look like I should be written off. I deserve to live," said Enonoria.
Her surgeon at City of Hope appealed to Anthem Insurance, pointing out that the procedure has three decades of success in prolonging the survival rate for those with this type of cancer.
According to Dr. Yuman Fong, chair of surgery at City of Hope, the surgery has even cured between 30-35% of patients.
While Enonoria appeals the decision, her cancer is spreading. She cannot do chemo for six weeks before she goes into surgery, so she has been without it for more than a month.
"I'm going to fight them. This is not the end of it. I'm going to keep fighting," said Enonoria.
In a statement Anthem wrote, "The request for the procedure in question has been thoroughly reviewed by our internal clinical team, as well as an outside, independent oncologist who concurred with the assessment that the proposed double surgery is not necessarily the best option available."
Update:
Given the fact that City Of Hope believe the surgery Is the option to prolong Enonoria's life, they have agreed to cover the cost of the surgery without help from her Insurance.
"City of Hope will pay for the recommended health care services that her insurance company denies. Roxy is being scheduled for surgery as soon as possible," wrote City of Hope.
Enonoria tells Kristine Lazar that after her surgery, she Is not done fighting. She plans to start a nonprofit dedicated to help other single mothers with health Issues
Below are the full statements from City of Hope and Anthem following the broadcast of this story:
Anthem statement:
"We understand this is a very difficult time for Ms. Enanoria, which is why we are working with her and her clinical team to ensure she has access to the right treatment that will lead to the best outcome possible. There are treatment options with fewer risks and proven, successful outcomes, and these options have been shared with Ms. Enanoria and her care providers. The request for the procedure in question has been thoroughly reviewed by our internal clinical team, as well as an outside, independent oncologist who concurred with the assessment that the proposed double surgery is not necessarily the best option available. We will continue to work with Ms. Enanoria and her care providers in exploring available options."
City of Hope statement:
Since our appeals to the insurance company have been denied and we believe this is the best treatment option, Roxy was considered for City of Hope's Financial Assistance Policy which demonstrates City of Hope's commitment to its patients, their families and the communities it serves. The City of Hope Financial Assistance committee reviewed Roxy's case and has approved that City of Hope will pay for the recommended health care services that her insurance company denies. Roxy is being scheduled for surgery as soon as possible.
