ROSEPINE, La. (HEART) – A Rosepine man battling cancer is voicing concerns about his insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

Mike Brister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2023. The cancer had metastasized to the liver, which was confirmed in January, he said.

“Once I get my liver under control, my numbers will take care of the pancreas. However, a clinical trial with histotripsy is currently underway in Spain. “It should start in the USA in 2025,” he said.

Histotripsy, a non-invasive and FDA-approved procedure, is potentially life-saving and has a high success rate, Mike said. National Library of Medicine The aforementioned histotripsy mechanically destroys tissue through cavitation and reduces the target to extracellular debris using focused ultrasound sent from outside the body. The material in the histotripsy ablation area is absorbed by the body within one to two months, leaving minimal scarring.

Although approved by Medicare, Mike’s insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana denied coverage.

“They told us histotripsy was for research purposes, so it’s out of scope,” said his wife, Deborah Brister. “We got a message from our doctor saying he thought they would pay for it if he was in a hearing, but not outside of a hearing.”

Although the light at the end of the tunnel previously looked bleak, State Rep. Chuck Owen (R-District 30) stepped in to help their cause.

“He was great. He worked hard,” Mike said.

Mike said Owen spoke directly with the State Insurance and Health Departments and Blue Cross.

“We got a call on Friday because of work. They will set up a conference call with us and the doctors to discuss the procedure,” said Deborah. “They weren’t even talking to us before. All we got was a rejection letter or a phone call from a doctor saying it was still rejected.

“We’ve finished all our appeals. All the credit goes to our representative for getting us to where we are now,” Mike said.

A. GoFundMe account It was made for the Brister family, who continue to raise money for treatment.

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