A Florida cancer patient is raising concerns about the potential impact of insurance company decisions on the lives of thousands of patients. The warning comes as Moffitt Cancer Center prepares to go out of network with Aetna Medicare plans.
In September, 8 On Your Side reported that Moffitt would no longer participate in Aetna’s Medicare Advantage network. Some patients expressed fear about speaking out, worried that voicing concerns could lead to retaliation by either the hospital or the insurance provider. The patient featured in this report requested anonymity to avoid such repercussions.
Patients Risk Coverage Changes Amid Network Shift
The woman has received extensive care at Moffitt Cancer Center and chose Aetna for its perceived superior coverage at the institution. Moffitt reported that 6,476 patients with Aetna coverage received care at their facility in the past year. The network change could leave many patients without the coverage they had relied upon.
“I put my trust and my faith in Aetna Medicare to provide for me,” she said. “I don’t even know if I’m going to be alive in three months.”
Moffitt Explains Business Decision
When contacted, Moffitt representatives explained the network change as a business decision: “While Moffitt remains a clinical Institute of Excellence in Aetna’s networks, Aetna has made a business decision to terminate Moffitt’s participation in its Medicare Advantage network beginning Dec. 1, 2025.”
Moffitt’s website confirms that starting December 1, both Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO plans will no longer be accepted at the center.
Concerns Over Treatment Costs and Access
The patient is currently undergoing aggressive treatment and participating in clinical trials aimed at advancing cancer care while reducing costs for insurance providers. She expressed frustration about being penalized financially for pursuing these trials.
A Moffitt spokesperson stated that for patients in clinical trials, Medicare Advantage plans act as a secondary payer to Traditional Medicare, meaning “patient access will not be affected.”
However, the patient explained the financial implications: “It won’t be affected. But what will happen is instead of having an $8,000 medical bill, I may have a $20,000 medical bill. I’m going to move forward with the clinical trial because my cancer is at 20%. And if I don’t get it, I could very easily die next year.”
Broader Implications for Patients
While the woman can afford the additional costs, she worries about patients who cannot. She questions what safeguards exist to prevent other insurance companies from making similar network changes, potentially leaving vulnerable patients without affordable access to critical care.
8 On Your Side reached out to Aetna for comment and will provide updates as they become available.
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