Jennifer said that yesterday when we were talking before (and during) my massage - she's noticed some real progress in my psoas and my ability to release them with her assistance. I notice that it doesn't hurt like a BASTARD when she touches them! I told her about my new persistent front-of-the-thigh pain and she immediately pinpointed it as the rectus femoris muscle (can't tell you how much I love these wiki illustrations). Turns out my work with Dr. Hoo has so loosened up my sacral region that the increased motion of my pelvis (*insert Beavis & Butthead snickers here*) has caused ol' rectus femoris to brace, just like my gluts were doing when my lower back first started loosening up. Jennifer completely eliminated the pain, though, at least through today, and when working on my shoulders had to ask which one had been bothering me - whereas 2 weeks ago the left shoulderblade was noticeably further away from the midline.
This change I definitely credit to the inclusion of yoga in my healing trifecta - we did camel pose (especially like the arrows and butt squiggle in this illustration) Sunday and a bunch of other arm things that I was surely feeling come Monday morning. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad/frustrated that I have to give it all up for probably 2 months at least, but heartened that I've gotten this far even with my hip issues. Just imagine what I'll be able to do post-op! Bad ass.
Oh yeah and guess what?! Blue Cross is actually paying for my PAO! Woot! Got the official letter yesterday, just in time for my MRI and first autologous blood donation on Friday. I'm not too anxious about all that - next Thursday is the real big push, pre-op, blood donation, x-rays, PT, Dr. Kim - it's going to be a long day, made longer by the fact that I can't head down til that morning, and my first appointment's at 7:45am! Best laid plans!
Monday night I was panicking something fierce (realizing that I don't stress out, I stress in, if that makes sense to anyone besides me) but yesterday's adjustment and massage combo (and the introspection it allows) set my mind right again. Back to the yoga studio this evening, which should calm me back down to baseline. All in all, I'm feeling pretty well blessed today. :)
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
4 weeks!
Ah, but who's counting?! :) Holy eff that's soon. The delectable yogurt I had for breakfast this morning had a June 10th expiry date and I was like "Aw MAN!" haha Just can't escape it!
Well I cleaned my parents' storagey ex-garage area for 5 straight hours on Mothers Day (because I just love my mom THAT much!) and have been fairly stiff and miserably ever since. Add to that a mega faculty meeting yesterday facilitated by my newly-trained cutie freshmen, which precluded me from an adjustment, and work at the store after school today which precludes yoga and I'm definitely feeling it. But tomorrow I'll be adjusted and Friday and Sunday yogafied, and trust I will then get back on track.
Insurance frustration continues unabated, after learning last week that my request for Prior Approval was denied because I didn't get a second opinion in-network (even though they granted my Prior Approval for a second opinion from Dr. Kim [but who am I to try to apply logic to the insurance industry?!]). The first Blue Cross dude I talked to told me I should get a letter from Dr. Bean explaining that nobody in Vermont does PAOs - information apparently left out of the original paperwork - but when I actually got the letter and called again (talking to a different person - this always yields a different answer, I've found) the woman told me that what I really needed was for Dr. Bean to set up a peer-to-peer review with Blue Cross's boss doctor person in order to set things straight. Apparently the former approach would have required me to appeal the decision, which could take weeks (and I've only got four left, in case you'd forgotten!), whereas peer-to-peer would garner a decision immediately. Um... allegedly. Alas BC has no record of Dr. Bean having made an appointment to talk to said boss doctor person and my calls to Green Mountain Orthopedics Friday and today are as yet unreturned.
Oh well, worst case scenario I just have to pay a couple thou for this grand surgical adventure! No biggie, right?!
Well I cleaned my parents' storagey ex-garage area for 5 straight hours on Mothers Day (because I just love my mom THAT much!) and have been fairly stiff and miserably ever since. Add to that a mega faculty meeting yesterday facilitated by my newly-trained cutie freshmen, which precluded me from an adjustment, and work at the store after school today which precludes yoga and I'm definitely feeling it. But tomorrow I'll be adjusted and Friday and Sunday yogafied, and trust I will then get back on track.
Insurance frustration continues unabated, after learning last week that my request for Prior Approval was denied because I didn't get a second opinion in-network (even though they granted my Prior Approval for a second opinion from Dr. Kim [but who am I to try to apply logic to the insurance industry?!]). The first Blue Cross dude I talked to told me I should get a letter from Dr. Bean explaining that nobody in Vermont does PAOs - information apparently left out of the original paperwork - but when I actually got the letter and called again (talking to a different person - this always yields a different answer, I've found) the woman told me that what I really needed was for Dr. Bean to set up a peer-to-peer review with Blue Cross's boss doctor person in order to set things straight. Apparently the former approach would have required me to appeal the decision, which could take weeks (and I've only got four left, in case you'd forgotten!), whereas peer-to-peer would garner a decision immediately. Um... allegedly. Alas BC has no record of Dr. Bean having made an appointment to talk to said boss doctor person and my calls to Green Mountain Orthopedics Friday and today are as yet unreturned.
Oh well, worst case scenario I just have to pay a couple thou for this grand surgical adventure! No biggie, right?!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Don't get it twisted
A breakthrough! Last night I was performing my usual pre-sleep stretch-and-pop routine and happened to twist right into a spot on the left side of my spine that returned a sharp pain. I sort of "explored" it a little (Anjali, my yoga instructor, would like that) and found that I was able to "breathe into it" (Dr. Hoo would like THAT!) and, after just a few more twinges, relieve the tension. Woot! Now, you may think I'm crazy (already or as a consequence of the following statement), but that particular subluxation is something I've been feeling for at least a decade, and I suspect at the root of my left shoulder troubles. Once it released last night I spent the next 20 or so minutes rolling my shoulders (repeated crunching sounds gone) and swinging my tingling arm (which felt about an inch and a half longer) around like a loonie. Augustus was certainly confused.
My shoulderblade itself is still pretty tight this morning, but thankfully this afternoon I have an adjustment and my reevaluation at the Rushfords, so I can both crow about my progress and start working on the next level of... ah... flexibility, I guess. I feel like Hoo would call it something like "spinal freedom". :)
Yes, so this NSA/yoga/massage combo is really doing the trick! I haven't quite come to terms with the fact that I'm going to have to give it all up in 5 weeks for I don't know how long. Not quite sure how I'm going to swing that, but I'm so glad I've had the time I have to get my alignment in order, which can only help speed my recovery time.
And did I mention what a marvelous weekend I had? Good friends, good food, great music and just a general grand old time. I managed to stay off my feet enough to not get exhausted or increase my pain much at all, though the front of my hip (which is new) has been hurting pretty consistently over the past week and my limp has become noticeable. Well, more noticeable to me - I'm sure other people have been noticing it for some time now!
Oh and my mom finally read a blog! My folks have basically been ignoring everything I've sent them over the past year+, preferring the "The less we know the better" approach (which somewhat drives me insane, but that's neither here nor there!) but I finally hooked them with AKM's blog of her time in the hospital and post-op, so they can get some idea of what to expect. I'm proud of my mom - as scared as I am, it must be even worse for her to consider watching her only offspring go through all this, and facing it head-on is no easy task.
And, finally, after waiting on hold to the dulcent tones of a Muzak version of "Take My Breath Away", I want to wring the collective necks of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Oh, they got the first part of the Prior Approval paperwork from Dr. Bean's office Friday, but the fax cut off so it needs to be sent again. Of course, they are the only people (psychics excepted) who actually KNEW that, because apparently it's not protocol to CALL the doctor when forms are incomplete. Chuckleheads.
My shoulderblade itself is still pretty tight this morning, but thankfully this afternoon I have an adjustment and my reevaluation at the Rushfords, so I can both crow about my progress and start working on the next level of... ah... flexibility, I guess. I feel like Hoo would call it something like "spinal freedom". :)
Yes, so this NSA/yoga/massage combo is really doing the trick! I haven't quite come to terms with the fact that I'm going to have to give it all up in 5 weeks for I don't know how long. Not quite sure how I'm going to swing that, but I'm so glad I've had the time I have to get my alignment in order, which can only help speed my recovery time.
And did I mention what a marvelous weekend I had? Good friends, good food, great music and just a general grand old time. I managed to stay off my feet enough to not get exhausted or increase my pain much at all, though the front of my hip (which is new) has been hurting pretty consistently over the past week and my limp has become noticeable. Well, more noticeable to me - I'm sure other people have been noticing it for some time now!
Oh and my mom finally read a blog! My folks have basically been ignoring everything I've sent them over the past year+, preferring the "The less we know the better" approach (which somewhat drives me insane, but that's neither here nor there!) but I finally hooked them with AKM's blog of her time in the hospital and post-op, so they can get some idea of what to expect. I'm proud of my mom - as scared as I am, it must be even worse for her to consider watching her only offspring go through all this, and facing it head-on is no easy task.
And, finally, after waiting on hold to the dulcent tones of a Muzak version of "Take My Breath Away", I want to wring the collective necks of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Oh, they got the first part of the Prior Approval paperwork from Dr. Bean's office Friday, but the fax cut off so it needs to be sent again. Of course, they are the only people (psychics excepted) who actually KNEW that, because apparently it's not protocol to CALL the doctor when forms are incomplete. Chuckleheads.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Well, glad I asked!
So I called Blue Cross today because I still haven't heard back about my request for prior approval, which is supposed to take 3 business days and has taken more like a month - extreme even by insurance company delay standards. Annnddddd... they have no record of my request! Called the office of Dr. Bean, the orthopedist I initially consulted with at Central Vermont who made the referral to Boston, and their very kind medical records lady has a confirmation from Blue Cross that they received the fax of the necessary documentation. Apparently, though, it's disappeared into the hazy blue beyond and needs to be sent again. Long story short, I should be hearing next week about whether they approve this business or not. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I will not be accepting a denial without a fight!
Meanwhile, I've been reading AKM's account of her PAO experience over at What's the Hip Fix? For those of you looking for some sense of what the hospital experience is going to be like for me, her account starts here and has really helped me understand more what to expect. Also a helpful primer for those of you considering visiting me in the hospital! :)
Happy May Day!
Meanwhile, I've been reading AKM's account of her PAO experience over at What's the Hip Fix? For those of you looking for some sense of what the hospital experience is going to be like for me, her account starts here and has really helped me understand more what to expect. Also a helpful primer for those of you considering visiting me in the hospital! :)
Happy May Day!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hurdler
Well, I've cleared the tiniest of hurdles by scheduling my pre-op appointment at Beth Israel, one round of blood donation, and my x-rays and appointment with Dr. Kim - May 28th is going to be a LONG day! Still need to figure out my other autologous (that means for me and me alone!) blood donation, though, since I'll either need to make another trip to BI or pay for the Red Cross to ship it down for me, which insurance may or may not cover. The lady at the BI blood place said it cost "a pretty penny" but had no idea of a ballpark figure. We'll see - much as I don't mind driving to Boston, there's the issue of timing the donation as well (and that pesky "also going to work" problem) to contend with.
Meanwhile, I've begun the joy of dealing with Blue Cross on the matter, and spent a good 15 minutes doing battle with the damnable Request for Prior Approval pdf. Jeez! Talk about user hostile! Absolutely no rhyme or reason to when it would and wouldn't let me fill in a box. And the whole point of the thing is to fill in boxes! Grrr. I was also reminded yet again of the value of calling customer service at least twice, so you can get at least 2 different answers to your question! It's always been that way, and this instance was no different - one told me I needed a form for both my pre-op and surgery, and the other said I just needed one. The marvelous Annette told me, however, that I'd only need one, and that woman knows her stuff! Dealing with out-of-network insurance from at least 3 states on a regular basis - I don't envy her, but I'm sure glad to have her as a resource!
Ew, and my blood donation is supposed to take 90 MINUTES! Jiminy! Add to that the fact that the last time I donated blood the tech told me she'd never seen anyone's blood flow so slowly. Oh man, I am not looking forward to it!
Meanwhile, I've begun the joy of dealing with Blue Cross on the matter, and spent a good 15 minutes doing battle with the damnable Request for Prior Approval pdf. Jeez! Talk about user hostile! Absolutely no rhyme or reason to when it would and wouldn't let me fill in a box. And the whole point of the thing is to fill in boxes! Grrr. I was also reminded yet again of the value of calling customer service at least twice, so you can get at least 2 different answers to your question! It's always been that way, and this instance was no different - one told me I needed a form for both my pre-op and surgery, and the other said I just needed one. The marvelous Annette told me, however, that I'd only need one, and that woman knows her stuff! Dealing with out-of-network insurance from at least 3 states on a regular basis - I don't envy her, but I'm sure glad to have her as a resource!
Ew, and my blood donation is supposed to take 90 MINUTES! Jiminy! Add to that the fact that the last time I donated blood the tech told me she'd never seen anyone's blood flow so slowly. Oh man, I am not looking forward to it!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Man, insurance is dumb.
So even Blue Cross doesn't know why I got billed $450 from Children's Hospital - the friendly customer service lady was like "Uhhh... I'm going to pass this on to our investigators...?" But it seems like it was just an error in processing, since I had approval for out-of-network service from Dr. Kim and an emergency approval (from the side of 89) for the MRI on the day of. Apparently the charge is for the reading of the MRI, which may well have been done by someone other than Dr. Kim, which may have resulted in the error. Now I wait. And just presume it's all a mistake, because I sure don't have $450 lying around!
Otherwise, though, insurance is most assuredly NOT dumb, as without it I would have paid probably $15,000 (yes, that's the right number of zeros!) out of pocket before even getting to surgery. Or, more to the point, have incurred $15,000+ of debt!
Waking up this morning I was reminded of an unforseen consequence of my continued NSA adjustments - lots of sleep and LOTS of long, bizarre, superinvolved dreams! I don't know quite why, though the sleep isn't really a surprise. For whatever reason, that's what happens when my legs tire out - I just nod off... for about 3 hours on average! The dreaming I'm sure the Rushfords would say is a result of the pathways along my spinal cord being unblocked (and whatnot), but whatever it is it's throwing my subconscious for quite the loop!
Otherwise, though, insurance is most assuredly NOT dumb, as without it I would have paid probably $15,000 (yes, that's the right number of zeros!) out of pocket before even getting to surgery. Or, more to the point, have incurred $15,000+ of debt!
Waking up this morning I was reminded of an unforseen consequence of my continued NSA adjustments - lots of sleep and LOTS of long, bizarre, superinvolved dreams! I don't know quite why, though the sleep isn't really a surprise. For whatever reason, that's what happens when my legs tire out - I just nod off... for about 3 hours on average! The dreaming I'm sure the Rushfords would say is a result of the pathways along my spinal cord being unblocked (and whatnot), but whatever it is it's throwing my subconscious for quite the loop!
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