I have been following this thread and praying for all of you, and hoping that I don't fall apart worrying about my sister. She is travelling four hours next week to a neurologist, she has episodes of not knowing who anybody is, one night she left her bed and went outside in the snow barefoot saying she wanted to go home. Someone has to be with her 24/7, the wait time to see a specialist is so long the local doctors have no idea what is wrong with her it is so frightening she is only 44. JoJo I pray you find help USA and Canada's system is so broken. I haven't wanted to speak or write the words because it makes the situation so real I am going to hide under my Friendship SOTTs quilt. Merry Christmas Sisters We must be getting very strong. Joan

JoJo~ The run-around you have gotten from your insurance company is outrageous! You are getting a lot of good advice from TQS sisters and I cannot add to that, but I do want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

JoJo,
If you read this article, you'll see that there is someone in each state that is supposed to go to bat for the patients: http://www.money-zine.com/Financial-Planning/Buying-Insurance/Insurance-Ombudsman/

I hope you don't have to go to this length, but it looks like a resource if you need it.

I will be praying for you, my friend. Be safe and Merry Christmas.

JoJo, I missed this last update! I cannot imagine what you are going through between your insurance company, and trying to act fairly healthy for your DH's sake. Just remember you have a lot of us out here in TQS land who are praying for you! Please take it easy this week end, and stoop, do not bend over FOR ANYTHING! (And, I agree with the others, this is not something you should have to shoulder alone! Your DH needs to be there for you, all the way!)

Many hugs!!!!!!
Dawn

Oh, JoJo. I agree with what the others say to you. Your husband must be grown up to handle this. It's not your deal to protect him now. I send all my best wishes for you.

JoJo, I can really relate to the sensitive husband part. My DH is the most level-headed, calm, rational person about almost all of life - except when I have a health issue. He can really get bent out of shape and unreasonably angry. When I decided to change cardiologists b/c I felt I could get more responsive pt centered care, he became so angry with my former cardio that I was afraid for awhile he was going to storm the building. Then when I worked for an MD (I'm a NP) who treated me unfairly during a disagreement, he was giving lots of thought to physical response! I don't think he would, but...............

What I've decided is that when he feels he's out of control, such as in health issues where outcome is more dependent on others than his own wisdom, choices, or even the body's ability to heal, he acts it out in anger.

On another level, if you begin to feel symptoms again, you get right back to that emergency room. They may be closed over the Holidays for your old request, but with new symptoms, they MUST have an emergency system in place!

And as soon as possible, I'd try to get that insurance company changed!!!!! (Is this still the election period until Dec. 31?) Maybe you can change.

Love
Lynn

Hi JoJo. Will keep you in my prayers. I am mad at that ins. Co. You should call the insurance commission in your state and complain. Thank God you are doing ok. God Bless. Jan

I would call the insurance commissioner's office and sic em on the insurance company. I have done it in the past for meds and it works. If your MD thinks you need the MRI, put it on a credit card if at all possible, and you can get reimbursed when the dust settles. I went on line and found an open MRI that was 1100.00 less then the hospital price and paid for it myself so I could have my back MRI done. I paid 450.00 for it. Price varies considerably, so shop around if there is time. I don't understand the insurance company being able to close for the holiday if they have to have prior approval even for ER diagnostics. That is ridiculous. Am praying for your healing and for your stupid insurance company too. Hope the prayer helps someone there grow a heart. Hugs. Sandi

Your husband's HR department should have a person that deals with benefits and would know who to call. I would ask him to check with them to follow up for you. Also, your State insurance commissioner in your state capital is there to follow up on these type things. I think they would get things moving.

Jojo, I agree with Lois. This is the time for your husband to be dealing with this. Even if he isn't very strong when it comes to your health he will have to learn to be. You need to take this particular trouble and place it carefully and with love on his shoulders. It would be far too stressful for you to have to deal with insurance companies etc., right now. All that it will do to you is get your blood flowing faster - and that is exactly what you don't want to do. It's your turn to relax and leave the worrying to others. Take care of yourself please. Rita. X

JoJo, I think each state has someone you can call to complain that your insurance company is not paying--maybe you can find who that is and contact them. Even threatening to call them works but if you can't get anyone to answer your calls I don't know what else you can do.

Praying my friend.

JoJo my DH is the same way. He is a big, strong man but worries about me. I agree get your insurance agent on the case. He might be able to help you or get an insurance advocate through the work company. It is so frustrating, did they want you to get worse before they made a decision. We are also very glad you are still here, just take easy and please don't fret. The girls won't lay if you are worrying. LOL I wish I was there to help you.

I will be continually thinking of you dear one.

Sharon in -- we are having a white Christmas, Colorado

It certainly is very good news that you are feeling better, but the response from the insurance company is terrible. It seems to me they have to have someone on call to handle situations such as these even if it is Christmas. I believe your husband is stronger than you think. It is not the time for you to protect him. He'd feel better if he could go to bat for you. Perhaps your husband's company has an advocate that could go to bat for you. Let him check that out. Prayers! Lois

Good morning everyone. I wanted to pop and give you an update. First, my head is beginning to feel better (thank you Lord!). My eyesight comes and goes but at least it isn't painful. My balance is off but I think that is because of my eyesight. I was at the doctor a big portion of the day yesterday and just as she was scheduling my MRI/MRA appointment, our health insurance company that we purchase through my husband's company called and denied the doctor's request for the scan. Normally, my doctor said that a quick call to a health insurance company does the trick for any prior approval requirements. However, our insurance not only didn’t approve it with her on the phone, they requested much more information (all of her written chart notes) so that ‘they’ could evaluate it. She told me that no one has ever done that before especially when time is of the essence. While I was having lab work done, she tried again but they still denied it. She told me to go home and she would dictate last night and fax it to them. Now today when the doctor hadn't heard back from them, she called and was told that they insurance company is now closed for the Holidays and that no approvals would be issued until staff returns. It’s scary when a health insurance company decides over a doctor what is in the best interest of a patient. The news made me sick to my stomach but on the positive side, I'm still here no thanks to the insurance company. The doctor said that it's good news that the pain is reducing so I'm hopeful that my body is trying to heal itself.

Do any of you have spouses that are very sensitive to health news? I've had to be very selective with what to say to my sweet husband. He is the strongest man I know for everything except for my health so this has been especially hard on me. I try to act as normal as I can regardless of how I feel. Today I'm home alone so it's been nice to just be. Does that make any sense? My emotions must be on hyperdrive today . Maybe I need to go lay down for a while. Thank you for the prayers. God is great and I know He is with me giving me strength that I could never have on my own.