Our healthcare system is corrupt. The doctors who work for them are a disgrace to the profession. We’ve run into many issues with our insurance - in particular, for the only medication that worked (at the time) for our son’s eight-month intractable migraine, for which he was hospitalized for almost two weeks (after taking medical leave from college for the year). After insurance denied our claim and the doctor appealed and was denied (the medication is generic but would have cost $8,000 per month), we were told to contact the Maryland Insurance Administration. We’d never heard of them, but they took on our case for free and appealed and won - plus reimbursement for what we’d already paid out-of-pocket. Do you know if NY has something similar?
I’m so grateful you are writing about this atrocity of the US healthcare system! And am so sorry you are dealing with another serious health issue which should have been remedied right away without question. You’ve got a lot of people routing for your healing and deeply appreciating your writing, which I hope helps a little with your understandable rage at the misogyny and greed which has caused you so much physical and emotional harm. Thank you for all you are doing and so hope you will be able to get the surgery you need very soon!
Ten years ago I was on my way into surgery (like wheeling me into the room) and the insurance company said they wouldn't pay for the anesthesiologist as they had just cancelled their contract. They put me on the phone with the insurer and they asked if I could possibly have my hysterectomy without it. I am not kidding. They thought (thankfully I didn't) I had ovarian cancer so both my doctor (with whom I was friends) and I were quite nervous. He said "f them" and we went ahead with it. It ended up getting covered but it caused me so much distress my blood pressure as well as my doctor's went through the roof. I have worked in healthcare and I can tell you it is a shit show. Thanks for doing everything to bring this to light. People are under the illusion that if they have insurance all is well. No it isn't you pay through the roof and still can't get the care you need. On the flip side, we do things to people and not for them. There is so much money wasted on end of life care (I have worked in palliative care) so much of it is futile and so much money is wasted. Then there is fee for service. That is how hospitals make their money so there is lack of trust with insurers (mind you I don't like insurers but his is not on them alone.) My two cents.
What you are experiencing is unconscionable. That You are deaf and that is deemed acceptable by your insurer enrages me. As I have previously told you I am fighting a bureaucratic battle over illegal charges, but this is so inconsequential compared to your situation.
I hope, through your many supporters there is an attorney who can fight this decision on your behalf. In the meantime you cannot fucking hear!!! We are all screaming on your behalf Deb. The emotional toll you are experiencing, in addition to the physical is criminal.
Op-Ed in Today's Daily Beast
Our healthcare system is corrupt. The doctors who work for them are a disgrace to the profession. We’ve run into many issues with our insurance - in particular, for the only medication that worked (at the time) for our son’s eight-month intractable migraine, for which he was hospitalized for almost two weeks (after taking medical leave from college for the year). After insurance denied our claim and the doctor appealed and was denied (the medication is generic but would have cost $8,000 per month), we were told to contact the Maryland Insurance Administration. We’d never heard of them, but they took on our case for free and appealed and won - plus reimbursement for what we’d already paid out-of-pocket. Do you know if NY has something similar?
I’m so grateful you are writing about this atrocity of the US healthcare system! And am so sorry you are dealing with another serious health issue which should have been remedied right away without question. You’ve got a lot of people routing for your healing and deeply appreciating your writing, which I hope helps a little with your understandable rage at the misogyny and greed which has caused you so much physical and emotional harm. Thank you for all you are doing and so hope you will be able to get the surgery you need very soon!
Ten years ago I was on my way into surgery (like wheeling me into the room) and the insurance company said they wouldn't pay for the anesthesiologist as they had just cancelled their contract. They put me on the phone with the insurer and they asked if I could possibly have my hysterectomy without it. I am not kidding. They thought (thankfully I didn't) I had ovarian cancer so both my doctor (with whom I was friends) and I were quite nervous. He said "f them" and we went ahead with it. It ended up getting covered but it caused me so much distress my blood pressure as well as my doctor's went through the roof. I have worked in healthcare and I can tell you it is a shit show. Thanks for doing everything to bring this to light. People are under the illusion that if they have insurance all is well. No it isn't you pay through the roof and still can't get the care you need. On the flip side, we do things to people and not for them. There is so much money wasted on end of life care (I have worked in palliative care) so much of it is futile and so much money is wasted. Then there is fee for service. That is how hospitals make their money so there is lack of trust with insurers (mind you I don't like insurers but his is not on them alone.) My two cents.
What you are experiencing is unconscionable. That You are deaf and that is deemed acceptable by your insurer enrages me. As I have previously told you I am fighting a bureaucratic battle over illegal charges, but this is so inconsequential compared to your situation.
I hope, through your many supporters there is an attorney who can fight this decision on your behalf. In the meantime you cannot fucking hear!!! We are all screaming on your behalf Deb. The emotional toll you are experiencing, in addition to the physical is criminal.
I enjoyed, well , appreciated the walk through the links in this very visible, visceral view.
Nothing changes cause nothing changes.