East TN cancer patient could lose TennCare coverage pending appeal

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A cancer patient has been told she is about to lose her TennCare coverage and is devastated by the news. Under TennCare, Medicaid may be available to women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, or a precancerous condition.

Heather Hensley depends on an inhaler to treat her severe asthma and COPD, two conditions that make it difficult for her to breathe. TennCare, her health care insurance, provides about a dozen prescribed medications she takes daily to treat half a dozen health issues. The most serious are Crohn’s, heart disease, and cancer. Her mother also had cancer. It runs in the family.

The medications are critical for Hensley, but she may lose her TennCare coverage soon.

“They said just because I don’t have cervical cancer because one pap smear came back normal that they were going to take it away from me. It took me by surprise because I’ve had it since 2015,” said Hensley. “I have 75 pounds of fluid on my stomach, this is all fluid. They are wanting to drain it. My pancreas is enlarged. My liver and my Bilirubin is real high, so they are not really sure. And, I have Crohn’s disease real bad.”

TennCare sent information a month ago explaining how Hensley can appeal the state’s pending decision to discontinue her coverage.

“I don’t have no income. I guess my life is what I’m fearing for,” said Hensley.

6 News contacted TennCare. In an email, we were told “Ms. Hensley currently has TennCare coverage but has been notified that her coverage will end soon. She filed an appeal and will keep her coverage during the appeal process. TennCare does provide coverage for individuals diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, but this requires an initial screening through the Department of Health.”

Hensley went to the Knox County Health Department for that screening and to update her records. She said over 200 pages of her medical history were transmitted to TennCare. It’s the first step in continuing her eligibility, but waiting for a decision is difficult.

“It’s very scary because I could die. I’ve been told that,” she said.

Through the Tennessee breast and cervical cancer screening program, TennCare is available to people like Hensley with a breast or cervical cancer diagnosis. The state provides screening services through your local county health department.

The question for Hensley is how long will she have to wait for the test results to be read by someone in Nashville, and have TennCare transmit that information to her about the status of her coverage.

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