AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: How to file a supplemental claim and preserve your original intent to file date. (bj)
Topics Discussed How to file a supplemental claim to a denied disability claim and preserve your original intent to file date; neccesity of obtaining a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional when submitting a disability claim; new VA rules may lump tinnitus and hearing loss into a single 10% max disability rating; bring personal “statement in support of claim” documents (Form 21-4138) or even videos demonstrating physical limitations to C&P exams; procedures for getting a VA ID card; VA and private insurance processing; using “blanket” community care agreements to get access to specialized health care; retired veterans may apply for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) if their disabilities are linked to combat, hazardous duty, training, or instruments of war.
Chat
Eric Baker – Lafayette, IN sent a chat · 9:14 PM
It was good to see everyone,…I just got home from a long business trip, and it is catching up to me.! Have a good night gentlemen! See you on the 17th!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:34 PM
Good seeing all of you. Good health to all!
AnCan’s ambitious CEO and Founder, Rick Davis, recently sat down with Rarity Life, the magazine published by Same But Different Creative, to share the deeply personal journey that led to the creation of AnCan.
In the interview, Rick reflects on his early days navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis — a moment that reshaped his life & his understanding of what true support should look like. Like so many survivors and thrivers, he quickly discovered that information alone isn’t enough. What people often need most is connection — the chance to speak openly with others who truly understand the lived experience of cancer.
That realization became the foundation of AnCan.
Rick shares how traditional support models don’t always meet people where they are. Geographic limitations, physical health challenges, financial strain, rare diagnoses, and even the emotional weight of walking into an in-person group can all create barriers. For many, simply showing up can feel overwhelming.
AnCan was built to remove as many of those barriers as possible.
Rick’s full interview in Rarity Life offers an inspiring look at leadership shaped by lived experience, and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person asking: How can we do this better?
2. NIH 2nd Opinion MRI (no fees)
Choyke, Peter (NIH/NCI) Radiologist (pchoyke@mail.nih.gov)
3. Second opinion of MRI from Johns Hopkins
Images and Reports for Providers | Johns Hopkins Radiology (hopkinsmedicine.org)
Email: eradiologycenter@jhmi.edu
Phone: 443-287-7378
Fax: 443-769-1210
As some of you may know, the liberal telehealth rules to conduct medical appointments remotely that were enabled during Covid, sunsetted late last year. AnCan was upset and vocal that many of our patient advocacy organizations active on The Hill did not campaign more widely to extend it. Organizations like ZERO (prostate cancer) have significant and expensive government relations groups precisely to address such issues on behalf of us patients. AnCan had to bring it to ZERO’s attention to move the ball at a time when ZERO’s high paid CEO was self-admittedly sleeping on the switch.
Telehealth was temporarily extended for those living in rural areas. Then one of our newly minted prostate cancer Moderators, David Sharpe, brought it to AnCan’s attention that legislation was passed on Feb 3, 2026 that has extended comprehensive telehealth through the end of 2027. We asked David to blog its welcome return to wider availability and tell his story around telehealth – thank you Mr. Sharpe!
Medicare Telehealth Coverage Is Extended
The federal government has restored Medicare coverage for telehealth until the end of 2027. That means you can now possibly consult with your doctors online rather than having to meet with them in-person.
Why did I say possibly? Because state medical licensing laws still apply. Often, they can undermine your doctor’s ability to join you on the call. Here’s why: (Don’t construe the following comments as legal or medical advice. This is general information only.)
Telehealth consultations are easiest to arrange when a patient and doctor are in the same state. For instance, if you live in Springfield, Illinois, and want to have a virtual chat with an oncologist in Chicago, no legal impediments are likely to stand in your way.
Things can get tougher if the doctor practices in another state. Physicians are typically required to be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located during the consult. Therein lies a common problem: the doctor is licensed in one state, and you’re in another.
But loopholes exist. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP), “A few states have licenses or telehealth-specific exceptions that allow an out-of-state provider to render services via telemedicine in a state where they are not located, or allow a clinician to provide services via telehealth in a state if certain conditions are met (such as agreeing that they will not open an office in that state). Still other states have laws that don’t specifically address telehealth and/or telemedicine licensing, but make allowances for practicing in contiguous states. . . .” For specifics about your state’s rules, explore CCHP’s handy state-by-state guide: https://www.cchpca.org/topic/cross-state-licensing-professional-requirements/.
Despite those exceptions, many physicians and medical centers require patients to be in the same state as the doctor during telehealth appointments. I wish I’d known that last year, before trying to set up virtual consultations from my home in Portland, Oregon, with Fred Hutch (Washington), UCSF, City of Hope (both California), and MD Anderson (Texas0—all of whom turned me down. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU, Oregon)) would have refused, too, if I had been in any other state.
But some physicians and hospitals were more relaxed about it. Despite remaining in Portland, I wrangled a telehealth visit with a UCLA specialist. Two AnCan buddies of mine in Oregon and Arizona did so as well. I had even better luck with out-of-state doctors in community practices. Two agreed to confer with me online, and one declined.
If you live near—but not in—the state where your doctor practices, perhaps the easiest option is to make a run for the border. One AnCan member has adopted that strategy as a convenient means of communicating with his faraway medical team in an adjacent state while also satisfying the legal requirements. To have that meeting, he travels a few miles from home to a casino just across the state line; the casino lets him conduct telehealth consultations there. That approach shaves hours off what would otherwise be a protracted road trip to talk with his doctors face-to-face. # # #
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: Making end-of-life arrangements with Veterans Affairs (VA). (bj)
Topics Discussed Making your end-of-life arrangements with Veterans Affairs (VA)—advanced directives, healthcare power of attorney, living will, do not resuscitate orders, internment, etc—to make things easier for your loved ones; researching relationship between high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease issues for disability claims; veteran with history of prostate cancer researching how to file a claim; TCE (trichloroethylene) exposure; how VA determines active treatment for prostate cancer; veterans benefits associated with disability ratings; Agent Orange exposure and dealing with recurrent prostate cancer; Veteran notified that his claim was downgraded to 10% while on Active Surveillance (AS).
Chat
TonyFig sent a chat · 9:23 PM
Have to run. Good meeting as usual
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:45 PM
G00D NITE GUYS
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:51 PM
veterans@ancan.org
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Novartis, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: C&P exam occurs after service-connection is established. (bj)
Topics Discussed Taking care of your final affairs with VA’s help; submitting a disability claim for chronic kidney disease; understanding that States offer different Veterans benefits; federal funds drying up for veterans with substance abuse issues; what is AnCan’s Veterans Speaking Freely?; preparing for a C&P exam while being treated for prostate cancer; range of motion issues with your back; C&P exam occurs for disabilities after a service-connection has been established; how does the VA decide when treatment ends for prostate cancer disability claims; using the VA’s travel system when you receive VA Healthcare.
Chat
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 8:18 PM
It is the VA Form 10-0137 VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
AnCan – Rick sent a chat · 9:24 PM
Jumping off Gents …. be well and see you in 2 weeks. O&U
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:29 PM
Good Night Rick!
Dan Gifford, Pensaola, fl sent a chat · 9:35 PM
Heading out for the night. Thanks for everything, Jim.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:35 PM
Good Night Dan
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 9:36 PM
Me as well, thanks everyone! Have a good night!
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:37 PM
good Nite
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:37 PM
Good night, Eric and Mark
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:45 PM
As always very informative! I appreciate your work on this! BDS
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
captjim@ancan.org
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
ancan.org/veterans
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
veterans@ancan@org
