Health insurer PacifiCare reversed its denial of advanced radiation treatment for a Placentia teenager, but the youth's supporters went ahead with a scheduled demonstration while waiting to see the company's decision in writing.
The family of 17-year-old Nick Colombo was notified last night that PacifiCare would pay the estimated $100,000 bill for radiation treatment at the Mid America Sarcoma Institute in Kansas City. The family is hoping treatment can begin by next week.
But word of PacifiCare's decision came on the eve of a planned protest, after news of the boy's plight spread and friends started helping raise money for the treatment.
PacifiCare, according to Liz Jacobs of the California Nurses Assn., "capitulated when (Nick's story) went all over the Internet."
"They were pretty jammed," she said.
Nick has suffered from cancer in his tail bone for about four years. The cancer has metastasized, but the family hopes the treatment will help. Radioactive medicine reportedly will be injected directly into the tumor.
"It's pretty advanced," Erika Larson of the CNA said. "This is probably his last hope for reversal or remission."
"Because of the delay, he's can't feel his left leg or walk on his own," Larson said. "It probably would not have progressed as far as it has."
"No patient should have to hold fundraisers or have bake sales," she said.
Sibling Ricky Colombo, 19, said his brother "is really excited,"
"We want to try every treatment, to say we've gone down every avenue," the older brother said.
But, he said, there are others still waiting for treatment.
"It's an amazing feeling to know that Nick will have another chance to fight for life, but it reminds us that many still have to fight for this."
During the rally, PacifiCare spokesman Tyler Mason told supporters that the company is working to get the decision in writing.
Larson said that "until we have an absolute guarantee the Nick will get treatment, we're definitely keeping the pressure on. We're not going to be satisfied until we see it."
The treatments were deemed medically necessary by the teen's doctors, but California's Managed Care oversight board sided with PacifiCare.
Jacobs said there was concern about "a break-down around the skin" from the treatment, but "nothing else has worked."
