Our friend Brad suggested, in reply to yesterday's post, that I head over to BCBS and demand an answer in person. Which made me realize that I forgot the most absurd part of my back and forth with our case manager (who really has been pretty good to work with, considering):
I am explaining to her that I know I am a little intense about this appeal, but that it is very frustrating to have to sit on the sidelines and let someone make this decision in a vacuum. I believe I said "It is difficult to deal with the fact that someone will be determining my husband's treatment options without even looking me in the eye."
So she says: "I understand, but imagine how difficult it would be for the Medical Director to make his decisions if he knew you as a person."
....
....
....
Are. You. Kidding. Me.
There is a 97.4 percent chance she got frostbite through the phone. I was just stone silent. Sometimes, stupid deserves no response. After about a full minute of icy silence passed, she began back-tracking a little. Once I finally trusted myself enough to open my mouth, I explained that I fully intend to make it as difficult as possible for him to say no.
Honestly.
Just so everyone knows how I feel ~ this experience, in my opinion, is a reason NOT to support government-run health care, or health insurance reform, or whatever deliberately obscure name they are giving it these days. This silliness is a problem, but having been inside the agency, there is no solution to be found in more bureaucracy and more institutional risk-aversion. Didn't want anyone to think I was wandering over to the dark side....
October 3, 2009
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6 comments:
Being an Alaskan, I never go anywhere without my shit-kickers, pitchfork, and blowtorch. So -- not that you can't handle it -- but of there's some rabble to be roused on this count me in.
And for all our sakes, let's hope this "health care" bill goes the way of Chicago's 2016 bid.
Homer
Oh Jen. Wow. My mouth dropped when I read that. Keep fighting and know that you have a whole army ready to be there and storm down the doors with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK Jen, we're ready! you do have an army ready to bombard anyone and anything to get results. Lead us into this battle and we'll start marching with a vengeance. Top priority. tell us when and where and we're there!
keep fighting!
lotsalove, kim
YES! Let us know when it's time to start making the phone calls and writing the letters.
And remember,
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1
Certainly He can turn the heart of some silly insurance person.
Hey Kurt and Jen,
Yuck! I've had a little experience with insurance companies so stay after them Jen!! We are still fighting against any sickness in your body Kurt every single time we pray! We love you and if you need a warm break from Maryland's winter this year, Hawaii is calling you! We'd love to see you! Jay
Jenn - No worries about this government-run insurance company. Its gonna be great.
I am absolutely CERTAIN that the medical director of a government run insurance plan would have more compassion than some BMW-driving money grubbing profit-incentive-ized doctor want-to-be. Heck, they want people dead. (DEAD people pay premiums, right?)
I am SURE that any of the HIGHLY motivated government employees that work in this system will bend over backwards in the name of patient care. Not that they need to do much more than SHOW UP to get a paycheck every week and earn a nice pension that I will pay for (happily of course, at the point of a gun, every April 15).
I am also CERTAIN that government oversight boards will eliminate all of this unnecessary bureaucracy and boost customer service, just like they have at the Post Office, Social Security, USDA, DOE, HUD, DMV, etc. etc.
Not that I'm a little bitter about any of that......
Go get 'em Jenn. That's all I can say. In fact, I might have said too much already.
BMR.
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