California insurance companies are reportedly facing criticism from policyholders alleging they were denied coverage for proton therapy.

Proton therapy is a non-invasive cancer treatment that has been reportedly very effective. It is offered in different proton therapy centers, including UCSF Ocular Tumor Proton Therapy Program.

Proton therapy was first approved by the FDA in 1988, but has been used to treat cancer since the 1950s. Also known as proton beam therapy, this treatment is one of the most advanced types of radiation treatment. It works by targeting the cancerous site in the patient’s body and using proton beams to eradicate the cancer cells.

When the proton beams pass through the DNA molecules in the cancer cells, the positive charge of the protons pulls at the cancer cells’ negatively charged electrons. Through this process, the cancer cells’ DNA becomes so badly damaged that the cells can no longer reproduce, and they eventually dies out.

Compared to chemotherapy and X-ray based radiation therapy, this treatment is considerably less invasive and harsh.  This treatment is also very flexible, as the beams can actually be shaped to the precise size and shape of the tumor. In this way, proton therapy differs from traditional radiation treatment, as proton therapy does not affect any other areas outside of the tumor area.

Proton therapy is especially effective in treating cancers in more sensitive areas like the brain, head, neck, lungs, breasts, and pancreas. It has reportedly worked well for patients with little side effects.

Patients Denied Coverage for Proton Therapy

Patients can benefit from proton therapy thanks to this precise treatment process. But it’s not an option for many patients who have been denied coverage for proton therapy.

Even though there are specialized cancer centers like UCSF Ocular Tumor Proton Therapy Program, most patients cannot afford it. Proton therapy is more expensive than traditional radiation therapy, and many California health insurance companies have been allegedly denying claims.

Insurance companies are supposed to provide policyholder coverage if they meet the policy’s requirements, and they can possibly get in trouble for wrongfully denying claims.

Yet across the state, numerous patients have reported being denied coverage for proton therapy. Patients argue that they were unfairly denied coverage for proton therapy because of how expensive the treatment is.