Liver and other soft tissue cancers may not be covered under the new Medicare contracts which will affect thousands of patients. Policies under consideration will affect patients in these states: FL, DE, MD, PA, NJ and D.C.

In an effort to encourage Medicare to support stereotactic radiosurgery (CyberKnife) for prostate and other soft tissue cancers we are seeking the help of our patients, their families and friends and urging them to strongly vocalize and unite their support for CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery.

Please fill out this survey by clicking this link or pasting it into your browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nDrWCT_2flguRDGNU7Y7KDSw_3d_3d.

You can also contact these Medicare regional providers directly:

1.       Highmark Medicare affecting patients in states DE, MD, PA, NJ and the District of Columbia, contact Anna Gene Risoldi, Sr. Research Analyst, Program Safeguards, Highmark Medicare Services, 1800 Center Street, 1AL3, Camp Hill, PA 17089-0089, (717) 302-4102, anna.risoldi@highmarkmedicareservices.com, Highmark’s Website: http://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/policy/index-draft.html.

-You have until July 8, 2009 to comment on this policy-

2.       First Coast Service Options Medicare affecting patients in FL, contact Samantha Thomas at 904-791-8006 (FAX only available) or write to Medical Review Department,

P. O. Box 44159, Jacksonville, FL 32231-4159, http://medicare.fcso.com/Draft_LCDs/150107.asp.

-You have until July 15, 2009 to comment on this policy-

Surveys filled out before public hearings will be hand carried and presented to the appropriate Medicare officers.

PLEASE! If you know of someone who was treated with the CyberKnife please forward this email to them today and ask them to take action!

If you would like more information, please contact Catherine Bonetti, 408-789-4301 or cbonetti@accuray.com.