Healthcare Nightmare (a rant)
I’ve been crying on and off all morning. I freaking HATE the medical system right now. I want to move to canada, or sweden. Because this just ain’t working for me anymore, and I just need to write it out to try and feel a little better.
Yesterday, my surgical coordinator called to tell me the hospital pharmacy is refusing to order my $18,000 drug implant because of “some problem with insurance”. Of course, she didn’t have any more detail than that at the time. Of course, I’ve been paying out the nose for my own insurance for the past year. Of course, I’ve had this exact surgery like seven times before, with no problem. Of course, they’ve had TWO MONTHS to get this shit settled in advance. But here I am, two weeks before my surgery, totally blindsided by this news.
Today, she called to say that there will be at least another 48 hour delay in approval, and the drug takes 2-3 weeks to be delivered, so yeah…. its probable that my surgery (which I’ve been planning my LIFE around for the past 2 months) will be delayed.
So I called my insurance company. They say, “we have no idea what the problem is. Your hospital called, requesting pre-authorization on the implant… but this surgery doesn’t require it. Maybe they’re upset because we can’t guarantee benefits in advance, but as long as they submit the claim correctly and provide backup, it will be paid – just like your other surgeries were”. SO WHAT’S THE FREAKING PROBLEM?!?!?
I am waiting for the director of UCLA’s pharmacy to return my call and explain just exactly WHAT the problem is and WHAT RIGHT do they have to REFUSE my implant order when I am a FULLY INSURED United States citizen who depends on this surgery to preserve MY ABILITY TO FREAKING SEE. I am waiting for my surgeon to get out of the OR and call me back so I can demand to know how this happened, and have him explain to me what he’s able to do to make it right. Because, surely, someone has to be able to do something. Right now, it seems no one is doing anything.
But waiting is not my strong suit.
I am a proactive person. I like to make shit happen. This situation is like wearing a straight jacket, a blindfold, earplugs and a strip of duct tape over my mouth. I am unable to do anything to help the situation. I am castrated. I am useless. And I don’t cotton well to feeling impotent, especially in matters concerning my healthcare. So instead, I alternate crying with fits of anger, and intensely staring at my phone like if I concentrate hard enough it will ring with the words “good news, its all cleared up, and they’re rushing your implant here on time after all.”
But it doesn’t ring. I am not, much to my chagrin, telekinetic.
Please please please send good healthcare and patience and love vibes to me. I need all that I can get at the moment.
Thanks.
Phew, that feels a little better. I’ll keep you posted.
PS – Dishing for Dana is over $10,600 today. You guys are SUCH bad-asses, and you lift my spirits in ways beyond expression 
I am so, so sorry to hear you are going through this on top of everything else. I hope it gets cleared up for you soon. Our health care system is a nightmare.
Oh dear, so sorry you're going through this!! How frustrating! I'm sending positive vibes your way. <3
All the hugs and good vibes in the world. Eff 'em, though you can't really. Ech. More hugs. And a martinini. xo
All possible vibes are being sent your way immediately! Health care in this country is embarrassing and I am so sorry for all the people that have major issues made worse by a flawed industry. Keep your chin up!
UGH that sucks so much that you have to go through with this.
The health care system in the US is atrocious (my boyfriend is Canadian and I kinda want to get citizenship so I can use the Canadian healthcare…)
My dad was diagnosed with malignant melanoma about 5 years ago and we got approval for the cyberknife surgery… which worked but some other complications caused him to pass away after the surgery about a month later. THEN the insurance turns around and sends a bill to my poor step-mother for $50,000, after they initially approved the surgery.
I believe everything worked out alright in the end, but I couldn’t believe the insurance would try to deny the claim after it was pre-approved, especially for $50k. Still pisses me off…
Anyways, best of luck to you! *hugs*
As a healthcare worker, I totally HATE seeing people in this situation. Few things break my heart like your predicament does. Just take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that 1) this isn't just one person's fault, this is "the system's" fault 2) it is likely not the fault of the person on the other end of the phone, they are just a link in the system 3) you attract more flies with honey. Best of luck to you and your poor nerves!
I'm so sorry, Dana. It' really sucks in so many ways – sending prayers that this will be over soon – just push through as best as you can. As the mother of a special needs child, I feel similar in dealing with the LAUSD, which is another major nightmare that makes me want to move elsewhere.
Sorry to hear about all of this. It is hard to deal with health issues. I have Lupus/Asthma and take 9 prescriptions. I have had several surgeries also. I am Canadian and our health care system is not that great either. We a family of 5 pay around 300.00 a month to the gov'tand that gets us doc visits, surgeries and medical tests. Meds,dentist, glasses and everything else is not covered. We have to pay into another private insurance for those. Then we have to pay it out and claim to get it back.If you do not have the money to pay for it and then wait 6 weeks to get it back well then you do not get it. Even then when we reach the maximum in one year they no longer cover anything. Our gov't pharmacare is supposed to step in to help who are lower income at that point. I have just been told that my meds are no longer covered. We live on a gross income of just under 40,000, thats 5 of us on that and rents here are 1,500-2,000 a month for anything livable.The cheaper generic are and they have more side effects for me. I have been waiting for 2 years for surgery on my shoulder.I live on painkillers.People die while waiting for heart surgeries here. The waiting lists are a nightmare here in Canada. People who have the money go to the states and and the odd private clinic in Canada pay for it if they can afford it. So while I have empathy for you, if you do not like waiting don't come here. However if you want to quit smoking our gov't will pay for everything, even pills!
Sending "get off your ass and fix it NOW" vibes to your surgeon and all those holding this up. This is ridiculous and no one should have to go through this.
I love SWEDEN. It's been an obsession of mine since 1995. It amazing. Health care is insane. I think America should take a peak at a system that works. That being said I am sending you love and well wishes. I'd also like to set a date for a little commiseration dinner with our misters. Name the date my dear!
Big hug from Canada, Dana! I'm thinking of you, buddy. Hope you hear back soon! xoxo
using my super mind powers to tell everyone involved to FIX THIS ASAP. i have also warned them that they don't want the wedding blog community on their bad side. we are a feisty bunch.
I disagree. You do not need honey instead of vinegar. You need serious ass-kicking. There are a lot of cogs in the system, and the majority of them do not care about individual you. If you need anything done, you have to fight for it. Does it stink? Yes. But you must gather up all your chutzpah, and moxie, and BALLS, and get what you need. And you can do it! We're all rooting for you!
Oh Dana, this makes me oh so very angry for you! Big big hugs: hopefully it will all get sorted out asap!
This is saddening and maddening news! I'm wishing that it is resolved quickly for your sake.
I wish the people on the other end had to go through what we do. It's terrible when you need something, have done it before, and they won't pay for it. I hope they get everything figured out quickly for you!
*doodly-doodly-doodly-doot* I am sending you Wayne-and-Garth or Bill-and-Ted style good vibes through wiggling fingers. I had a ridiculous problem with insurance a few years ago too and I know how incredibly frustrating it is when there is NO GOOD REASON for something not to be covered. Love you!