primitives speechless over non-coverage

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7643898

Oh my.

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-04-10 11:44 PM
Original message
 
My insurance company just sent me a letter today informing me that they will no longer pay for the treatments that make it possible for me to lead a normal life. I already pay $1300 a month for insurance that now will not treat the very condition I need it for!

Without treatment I have a condition which will make it impossible for me to function. I currently have to travel across country 3 times a year at my own expense because there are no local doctors who can treat me.It already costs me more than I can afford. This will double the cost and make it impossible.I guess, as far as hope goes, I have just run out, but I doubt anyone in DC will care.

They are also not paying for my last treatment with no explanation why. The treatment was covered when we purchased the plan more than 4 years ago and is a legitimate medical treatment. So much for those who think we all have 'time" to work things out. Oh and "Bitter" ? You betcha! And the insurance company? Blue Cross!

juajen  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 01:21 AM
Response to Reply #9
 
24. I'm so sorry, saracat. I agree that insurance companies are nothing but crooks; and that includes all insurance companies. After I purchased a policy that would only cover cancer and heart attacks, in other words, major medical policy, they refused to cover a heart attack caused by a stent operation. My bill was over 60,000 dollars and I could not get an attorney to touch it because the insurance company claimed a pre-existing condition, that I didn't have; but, they wouldn't touch it. So, I paid all that money for this super great policy and when push came to shove they didn't pay a cent. I do believe we would be much better off without them.

Fire_Medic_Dave  (1000+ posts)      Fri Feb-05-10 12:02 AM
Response to Original message
 
10. What is the treatment?

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 12:08 AM
Response to Reply #10
 
13. Spasmodic dysphonia, I have the rare abductor kind that is very difficult to treat.

It is a neurological condition that affects speech. In my case, unlike others , who become strangled or odd sounding,my voice becomes inaudible.I can't use the phone or even pay for groceries.But botox shots to my vocal cords have restored my speech to almost normal. Only one doctor seems competent at treating abductor.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 12:37 AM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE; #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Reply #19

20. I can pretty much tell you what happened to you

Some dumb**** who's apple polishing and bucking for supervisor by throwing people off treatments they paid for and making his/her numbers look good saw "botox injection" and said "Aha! We don't pay for cosmetic procedures!" and put in the paperwork to deny you this treatment.

I think if you make a stink, you'll get your treatments paid for.

The dumb**** will undoubtedly get a promotion. They always do.

marybourg  (675 posts)      Fri Feb-05-10 12:40 AM
Response to Original message
 
21. E-mail Dianne Rehm at NPR . She suffers from same disorder, takes time off periodically and publicly for treatments and mentions it very frequently. Maybe she can help you shame BC BS publicly or find you a local doctor; she has a lot of contacts in the medical field. Good Luck!

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 12:43 AM
Response to Reply #21
 
22. Diane has a different kind than I do .She and RFK have adductor .it is much more easily treated. 

There is really only one doctor , who pioneered the treatment of abbductor, who can guarantee treatment and that is the one I see.Thank you.She might be a good ally though!

Beaverhausen  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 01:55 AM
Response to Original message
 
29. I'm so sorry to hear this

It sucks. Are either of your senators any good with this kind of stuff?

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 02:10 AM
Response to Reply #29

30. LOL. Kyle and Mccain????????

IndyJones (563 posts)      Fri Feb-05-10 02:15 AM
Response to Original message
 
32. I think you need to call your Senator's office and have them call on your behalf.

They are there for these types of things and it can make a difference. Please call your Senator tomorrow and explain the situation. Ask if they will call or write a letter on your behalf ASAP.

This is not right. I'm sorry this is happening to you.

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 02:50 AM
Response to Reply #32
 
34. My Senator is McCain. the other is Kyle. Blue Cross owns them.

democracy1st (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 05:03 AM
Response to Original message
 
37. I'm speechless right now ...

[Carl]

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-04-10 11:44 PM
Original message
 
My insurance company just sent me a letter today informing me that they will no longer pay for the treatments that make it possible for me to lead a normal life. I already pay $1300 a month for insurance that now will not treat the very condition I need it for!

Without treatment I have a condition which will make it impossible for me to function. I currently have to travel across country 3 times a year at my own expense because there are no local doctors who can treat me.It already costs me more than I can afford. This will double the cost and make it impossible.I guess, as far as hope goes, I have just run out, but I doubt anyone in DC will care.

They are also not paying for my last treatment with no explanation why. The treatment was covered when we purchased the plan more than 4 years ago and is a legitimate medical treatment. So much for those who think we all have 'time" to work things out. Oh and "Bitter" ? You betcha! And the insurance company? Blue Cross!

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 12:08 AM
Response to Reply #10
 
13. Spasmodic dysphonia, I have the rare abductor kind that is very difficult to treat.

It is a neurological condition that affects speech. In my case, unlike others , who become strangled or odd sounding,my voice becomes inaudible.I can't use the phone or even pay for groceries.But botox shots to my vocal cords have restored my speech to almost normal. Only one doctor seems competent at treating abductor.

Complete lies...all one has to do is Google "Spasmodic dysphonia" and there is no mention of it being so uncommon that only one doctor can treat it.
It is viewed as an illness that is always locally dealt with.

From a website...
http://www.dysphonia.org/healthcare/

That is a page with links to treatment professionals in all 50 states.

From the same website...

My insurance company won't cover my BOTOX® injection. What can I do?
Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Purified Neurotoxin Complex, sponsors a comprehensive reimbursement program for patients and providers called the BOTOX ADVANTAGE™ Program. The BOTOX ADVANTAGE™ Program includes a Reimbursement Hotline and Patient Assistance Program to assist patients who are receiving BOTOX® injections. The BOTOX® Reimbursement Hotline is designed to respond to your reimbursement questions and help access BOTOX®, even when you do not have insurance coverage. You can call 800-530-6680 or log onto www.botox.com.

http://www.dysphonia.org/treatment/reimburse.asp

The BOTOX ADVANTAGEâ„¢ Program - Patient Services

As BOTOX® is an effective form of treatment of many forms of dystonia, insurance reimbursement should not stand in the way of treatment.

Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Purified Neurotoxin Complex, sponsors a comprehensive reimbursement program for patients and providers called the BOTOX ADVANTAGE™ Program. The BOTOX ADVANTAGE™ Program includes a Reimbursement Hotline and Patient Assistance Program to assist patients who are receiving BOTOX® injections.

The BOTOX® Reimbursement Hotline is designed to respond to your reimbursement questions and help access BOTOX®, even when you do not have insurance coverage.

The Reimbursement Hotline will:
Help you understand your coverage for BOTOX®. The Hotline will even contact your insurer to determine your policy's coverage;
Work directly with your physician to obtain BOTOX® reimbursement and appeal any denied claims;
Research alternate sources of reimbursement for BOTOX® if you lack insurance or cannot afford your payment responsibility;
Help your physician determine your eligibility for the BOTOX® Patient Assistance Program if you have no BOTOX® coverage.
When calling the Hotline, be prepared to provide the details of your insurance, including your name, address, phone, and the insurance company's name, address, phone, and policy identification numbers. In addition, you will be asked for your physician's name, phone number, and information about your BOTOX® treatment, including diagnosis.

Simply call 1-800-530-6680 or fax 877-530-6680. A BOTOX® reimbursement specialist will be available between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. If all reimbursement specialists are busy assisting other customers or you are calling outside of these hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned within one business day. Also, log on to www.botox.com for additional information.

http://www.dysphonia.org/treatment/reimburse.asp

That took all of about 10 minutes to find and navigate through.
These frickin people need to learn to stop being whiners and lazy..they would find their lives made better very quickly.

[franksolich]

I suspect the saracat primitive uses those three cross-country trips each year for more than just medical treatments; maybe she's got family or friends on the other end of the country, and uses this as an excuse to go visit them.

[Carl]

I suspect the saracat primitive uses those three cross-country trips each year for more than just medical treatments; maybe she's got family or friends on the other end of the country, and uses this as an excuse to go visit them.

That is possible but going back to the stretchy thing they do I am inclined to think that was thrown in simply to embellish the story.
Something like when it was claimed that only one hospital in the country could treat Andy back in the day.
It imparts the sense that it is almost untreatable and therefore makes the insurance company out to be a killer of small children in ones minds..an ogre beyond description.

[Alpha Mare]

She could always learn to sign. Is it contagious... can all the DUmmies catch it and STFU?

[Lord Undies]

That is possible but going back to the stretchy thing they do I am inclined to think that was thrown in simply to embellish the story.
Something like when it was claimed that only one hospital in the country could treat Andy back in the day.
It imparts the sense that it is almost untreatable and therefore makes the insurance company out to be a killer of small children in ones minds..an ogre beyond description.

I assume this Little Goon's sordid song of insurance despair implies that if the Little Goon was "covered" by some sort of public insurance then the Little Goon would get treatment "on demand" for whatever rare and odd condition the Little Goon could manifest. 

What could possible be farther from reality?   If we lived with "public insurance", that "one doctor" wouldn't even exist.  The Little Goon's public treatment would consist of aspirin and bed rest as needed.

I cannot imagine anything more idiotic than actually going through the day thinking a socialist medical system will improve one's life.  It is insanely absurd.  Nothing - and I do mean NOTHING - would be "on demand" and the quality of what care that would exist would settle somewhere around one-eighth of what the free market now provides.

Idiots, one and all.       

[Karin]

Dear Carl:
Nice work. 

[franksolich]

Dear Carl:
Nice work. 

Oh, absolutely.

[franksolich]

She could always learn to sign. Is it contagious... can all the DUmmies catch it and STFU?

I'm surprised the hypochondrial primitive, the "mopinko" primitive, hasn't shown up at this campfire.

The hypochondrial primitive's probably had it.

[Carl]

Dear Carl:
Nice work. 

WillowTree (1000+ posts)      Fri Feb-05-10 08:44 AM
Response to Original message
50. Have you checked this out? If not, it sure couldn't hurt.
 Good luck.

http://www.dysphonia.org/treatment/reimburse.asp 

 
Finally someone (a lurker here?) posted the info,it will be interesting to see what the reaction will be.

[franksolich]

Finally someone (a lurker here?) posted the info,it will be interesting to see what the reaction will be.

franksolich disavows any culpability.

[Carl]

franksolich disavows any culpability.

I was going to suggest someone with a mole do it but no need.
Very telling that it took so long for any of them to look and at that may have just lifted it from here.

Pity and self pity is much more satisfying to a primitive then taking any initiative.

[BlueStateSaint]

franksolich disavows any culpability.

Suuuuuure, Coach . . . 

[BadCat]

Ya know, we have a Mayo Clinic here in Arizona, I'm pretty sure they could treat about anything a person could have.

[franksolich]

Ya know, we have a Mayo Clinic here in Arizona, I'm pretty sure they could treat about anything a person could have.

Well, you know, sir, one of the primary characteristics of the primitives is the "need" to be "special" in some way, and especially in a way that imposes a burden upon others.

One of the usual techniques is to be "sick"--and not only sick, but afflicted with a rare ailment demanding the utmost of expertise and energies of medical personnel, and the sacking of taxpayers' (or other insurance policy-holders') wallets.

A common cold isn't "special" enough.

It has to be rare and expensive so as to make a primitive feel "special."

[Tucker]

democracy1st (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 05:03 AM
Response to Original message
 
37. I'm speechless right now ...

So will the OP in a few months.

[Chris_]

Ya know, we have a Mayo Clinic here in Arizona, I'm pretty sure they could treat about anything a person could have.

Except stupidity....

[GOBUCKS]

These suggestions won't help. She travels cross country to the only doctor who will shoot up her vocal cords, and also sell her a grocery bag full of weed in one of the "medical marijuana" states. He's been adding the price of the dope to the amount he bills Blue Cross for legitimate treatments.

[Celtic Rose]

Well, you know, sir, one of the primary characteristics of the primitives is the "need" to be "special" in some way, and especially in a way that imposes a burden upon others.

One of the usual techniques is to be "sick"--and not only sick, but afflicted with a rare ailment demanding the utmost of expertise and energies of medical personnel, and the sacking of taxpayers' (or other insurance policy-holders') wallets.

A common cold isn't "special" enough.

It has to be rare and expensive so as to make a primitive feel "special."

Very true.  Many DUmmies are the perfect representation of Munchausen Syndrome

[MarshallLaw]

Except stupidity....

Yeah, that shit's permanent.

[delilahmused]

That is possible but going back to the stretchy thing they do I am inclined to think that was thrown in simply to embellish the story.
Something like when it was claimed that only one hospital in the country could treat Andy back in the day.
It imparts the sense that it is almost untreatable and therefore makes the insurance company out to be a killer of small children in ones minds..an ogre beyond description.

Every impossible situation plaguing Andy, from the hospital (one of THE best was Seattle and even if it wasn't a referral from his own doc would've gotten him into JH) to what the real diagnosis was, was disproved over and over and over again and they refused to see it, even when it was shoved under their noses. In my mind Andy was symbolic of what's wrong with every liberal...an incredibly selfish pretend victim (Andy felt no shame in taking the last few dollars some people had, some sicker than he made everyone believe he was), bravely soldiering on to get pats on the back along with the dollars. He shouted platitudes and slogans (his cause was paper ballots...ironically it was a "Ballot" that killed him), made no real impact, accomplished nothing, ripped the DUmp off more than once, and became another empty-suited heroes. Just like their ideas.

Cindie

[Specbid]

Every impossible situation plaguing Andy, from the hospital (one of THE best was Seattle and even if it wasn't a referral from his own doc would've gotten him into JH) to what the real diagnosis was, was disproved over and over and over again and they refused to see it, even when it was shoved under their noses. In my mind Andy was symbolic of what's wrong with every liberal...an incredibly selfish pretend victim (Andy felt no shame in taking the last few dollars some people had, some sicker than he made everyone believe he was), bravely soldiering on to get pats on the back along with the dollars. He shouted platitudes and slogans (his cause was paper ballots...ironically it was a "Ballot" that killed him), made no real impact, accomplished nothing, ripped the DUmp off more than once, and became another empty-suited heroes. Just like their ideas.

Cindie

"Every impossible situation plaguing Andy, from the hospital (one of THE best was Seattle and even if it wasn't a referral from his own doc would've gotten him into JH) to what the real diagnosis was, was disproved over and over and over again and they refused to see it, even when it was shoved under their noses." ?
Did he not die after his whipple procedure? Staph infection or something.

[Randy]

Yeah, that shit's permanent.

Nawww it's easily and permanently cured with 158 grains of lead properly administered. 

[Texacon]

saracat  (1000+ posts)        Fri Feb-05-10 12:08 AM
Response to Reply #10
 
13. Spasmodic dysphonia, I have the rare abductor kind that is very difficult to treat.

It is a neurological condition that affects speech. In my case, unlike others , who become strangled or odd sounding,my voice becomes inaudible.I can't use the phone or even pay for groceries.But botox shots to my vocal cords have restored my speech to almost normal. Only one doctor seems competent at treating abductor.

Maybe someone already answered this but .... why can't it pay for groceries when its voice don't work?  I know a lot of deaf people who don't talk but they still buy groceries.

KC

[Ralph Wiggum]

Maybe someone already answered this but .... why can't it pay for groceries when its voice don't work?  I know a lot of deaf people who don't talk but they still buy groceries.

KC

I'm pretty sure Frank Solich has no problem buying groceries.