Brunswick County Woman Faces Insurance Challenges in Cancer Treatment

A woman from Brunswick County, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, has spoken out about the limitations of her employer-provided insurance plan that did not cover crucial treatments she needs.

Tracy Edmonds learned she had breast cancer on May 13, 2025. Although she believed her insurance with Anthem HealthKeepers was solid, she soon found out that it didn’t cover essential cancer therapies.

“On May 13, I was shocked to get the diagnosis,” Edmonds reflected. “I thought I had everything in place, but when the time came, the coverage just wasn’t there.”

Doctors indicated that she would need twenty treatment sessions, each costing around $3,000. Radiation therapy, they emphasized, was vital to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

“I had set up an appointment, but once the clinic realized my insurance wouldn’t cover the costs, they canceled everything,” she said.

To help manage her out-of-pocket expenses, Edmonds’ son started an online fundraiser. Meanwhile, VCU Hospital connected her with a nonprofit called Cancer Linc, where she met lawyer Colin McCarthy.

Cancer Linc has a vast network of attorneys and financial advisors focused on assisting cancer patients.

“We are currently working on filing a challenge to prompt both the state insurance department and the Department of Labor to investigate whether this plan meets ACA standards,” McCarthy explained. “As it stands now, it’s evident that this particular plan excludes essential treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.”

McCarthy noted that he has reached out to the state Department of Insurance, emphasizing that many individuals often don’t grasp the limitations of their plans until they face unexpected health issues.

“The fact that you have employer insurance can hinder individuals from enrolling in marketplace plans,” he pointed out. “A new diagnosis doesn’t qualify as a major life event, so you can’t change your plan until the next open enrollment.”

Edmonds mentioned that while some of her surgical and doctor visit costs were covered, she was informed that her benefits had run out.

As she awaits a response to her complaint, Edmonds hopes her story will encourage others to review their insurance coverage closely. “I have colleagues, friends, and family members now checking their policies thoroughly,” she shared.

Anthem stated it provides marketplace benefits, but Edmonds’ coverage is managed by a third-party organization, Leading Edge. Requests for comment from Leading Edge went unanswered.