The Surest guide to thyroid cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates 44,280 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2021. Thyroid cancer is commonly diagnosed at a younger age than most other adult cancers.
Helpful general information
Cancer-related procedures occur in a variety of settings such as a doctor's office, outpatient center, ambulatory surgery center or inpatient hospital. Ask your doctor's office how your procedure will be billed. Your cost for the procedure will depend on how your doctor's office bills for the service.
Surest is here to help
A thyroid cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. The Surest clinical team can help you:
- Understand important decisions about your treatments
- Identify quality in-network doctors and facilities
- Share your preferences for care by communicating with the doctors and other specialists on your care team
- Navigate your Surest benefits and understand costs for services
- Learn about resources and support groups with other people going through a similar challenge
If you’re a Surest member with questions about cancer, reach out to us. The Surest clinical team is here and ready to talk. We will contact you directly.
Thyroid cancer information
What types of doctors might I see for thyroid cancer?
Several types of doctors and clinical professionals may be involved in your care. The doctors you see will be specialists in your thyroid cancer diagnosis and may include:
- Medical oncologists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
- Radiation oncologists specializing in using radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Surgical oncologists who have special training in cancer surgery
Search the Surest app or website for a specialty or by a doctor's name to view the price of an office visit. You can share this information with your primary care doctor or oncologist to help guide you to quality, affordable specialists.
Can I get help making decisions about my thyroid cancer treatments?
With an increasing number of cancer treatments available, it's normal to feel uncertain about your treatment plan or what is ahead of you. Surest can help. We have a clinical team available to help you navigate important decisions.
We can also help you find other doctors who specialize in your diagnosis. This is called a second opinion. Don't worry about offending your doctor. You are taking an active role in learning more about your condition. Most doctors expect and encourage second opinions. The Surest team is here for you.
Let us know when it’s most convenient to reach you. I'd like some help.
What types of tests might I need for thyroid cancer?
Testing will usually be done to help diagnose and stage the thyroid cancer. Types of testing include the following:
Blood tests
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 and T4 and thyroglobulin are common tests. When performed in-network, they are covered at $0 cost to you.
If your labs are drawn during a doctor visit, there will be a cost for the doctor visit. To find this price on the Surest app, search for the doctor's name.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests are used to look for thyroid cancer, find out how far it has spread and to see if treatment is working.
The prices for the tests below are based on where the imaging test occurs. Search the Surest app for the test to compare and identify lower-cost options. Ask your doctor to send your imaging test orders to the place you choose.
- Radioiodine scan
- CT scan
- MRI
- PET scan
The price for an in-network X-ray or ultrasound is $0 to you unless:
- The imaging is performed during a doctor's visit. Then you will pay the office visit price. Ask your doctor’s team if they plan for an office visit with the imaging.
- The imaging is considered an outpatient procedure by the facility and sent to Surest with that designation. Your cost will be the outpatient price. Ask the facility when you schedule the test how they will bill for the imaging.
Biopsy
A biopsy of thyroid tissue is called a fine needle aspiration (FNA). The price for a biopsy depends on where it is performed. Ask your doctor's team if the biopsy will be considered an office visit or an outpatient procedure. This will determine your cost. Search "fine needle aspiration" on the Surest app, choose the treatment and compare prices between locations.
What are common thyroid cancer treatments?
Active surveillance
Some very small, low-risk thyroid cancers may not need treatment right away. The cancer will be monitored with regular blood tests and ultrasounds. Active surveillance costs are the tests and doctor visits that occur during surveillance and are billed at those prices.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer. Types of surgery include:
- Thyroid lobectomy (partial thyroidectomy), which removes part of the thyroid gland
- Thyroidectomy, which removes the entire thyroid gland
- Lymph node removal, which removes surrounding lymph nodes
- Central neck dissection, which removes lymph nodes in the central part of the neck
- Modified radical neck dissection, which removes lymph nodes on the side of the neck
Lymph node removal may be done at the same time as the thyroid removal surgery or at a later date.
If you need surgery, your in-network price will depend on the following:
- The type of surgery
- Whether you are admitted as inpatient or outpatient. You can ask the doctor or facility about how you will be admitted before the surgery. You can then determine the price by looking at the Surest app. The price will cover the surgery and the hospital stay afterward.
You will find the cost of most surgeries by searching for the name of the surgery on the Surest app. You can compare prices between providers and locations. Share price information with your doctor to help decide where to have surgery. Many doctors practice at multiple locations, so ask your doctor about location choices.
If your Surest plan requires activation of coverage for certain surgeries, you will not need to activate coverage if the surgery is to treat cancer. Please call Member Services to make sure you have a clear understanding of this policy.
Most surgeries will require a pre-operative physical. This physical is usually done by your family doctor. The cost to you will be the price of the doctor’s office visit. This can be found on the Surest app under the doctor’s name.
Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) therapy
This treatment destroys any remaining thyroid tissue remaining after surgery. The cost for this therapy depends on where it’s performed. Look on the Surest app to compare costs and locations.
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy
These treatments are not often used for thyroid cancer. If you do need these treatments, you can find prices for them on the Surest app. Each chemotherapy or radiation therapy visit will have its own cost. Some types of radiation or chemotherapy may need authorization. Your doctor will initiate this process. Call Member Services to help understand the details.
Thyroid hormone replacement
If all or part of the thyroid gland is removed with surgery or destroyed with radiation, you will need to take thyroid hormone pills to replace the missing thyroid hormones your body needs. These pills are available in brand-name and generic versions. Search for the cost on the Surest app or your pharmacy benefit page.
What other services might help during thyroid cancer?
Dietitian
A dietitian's visit can be helpful if you have problems related to food and digestion. This can be because of cancer, or as a result of treatment. The price for this service will depend on the dietitian you see.
Home care
Home care (home health care) services are usually provided through a home health agency. They may offer different types of home care services using nurses, therapists, social workers, home care aides and medical equipment.
- If you need home care, your doctor will order the service. Talk with your doctor if you think this may help you.
- Find the cost for a home care visit on the Surest app by searching "home health service," then scroll to the bottom and select location to find in-network agencies.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture applies needles, heat, pressure and other treatments to specific places on the skin, called acupoints. This can help control symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea or vomiting. The price for an acupuncture visit can be found on the Surest app by searching “acupuncture” or a provider name.
Palliative care
Palliative care can improve quality of life if you have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. Palliative care addresses symptoms and side effects of the disease and treatment, as well as any related psychological, social or spiritual problems. To find the price for palliative care on the Surest app, search “palliative care.” Palliative care does not include respite care or hospice services. Contact the Surest clinical team for help accessing those services.
Support for stress, anxiety and uncertainty
A cancer diagnosis often affects the emotional health of patients, families and caregivers. You are not alone. One in three people with cancer experience mental or emotional distress.
- You have benefits for both in-person and telehealth mental health care. Look on the Surest app for specific costs or reach out to our Surest clinical team.
Resources you may find helpful
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This content is not medical advice. You should always consult with your health care professional.