Oh My God!!!!!!!!!

[usahgrad]

Ok, I called my mother yesterday for our nightly chat. I work three nights a week until nine pm, so on the half an hour drive home, I call my mother and we talk. Anyways, when I called her yesterday, she mentioned that she had a cough and wasn't feeling well. I told her that that was probably going to pose a problem today during her MRI guided biopsy, considering she has to lay really still.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but after my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, they found another lump in her other breast. Well they can't see it with an ultrasound to do the biopsy, so they have to do an MRI guided biopsy. And apparently, there's only one person who does this type of procedure in the entire hospital (mind you, this hospital spans three different very developed campuses). So her biopsy was scheduled for today (from the middle of February).

Well, yesterday, when I mentioned that her cough would make the MRI guided biopsy a little difficult, she said, "Well, it would, if I had one tomorrow." WHAT!?!?!?!?!? Well, the MRI machine broke at the campus she is cleared to go to through her insurance. She can't go to the other two campuses because she doesn't have authorization. So that puts her MRI guided biopsy off until April 4! Which puts her surgery off even longer than before!

I just want to scream! WHY CAN'T THEY GO TO A DIFFERENT HOSPITAL????? WHAT THE :censored: IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY THAT MY MOTHER CAN'T GET WHAT SHE NEEDS BECAUSE SHE'S ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR ONE PARTICULAR CAMPUS!!!! IT'S THE SAME :censored: HOSPITAL!!!!!!!!!

Sorry you guys, but I am so p1ssed off about this. I hate the way America deals with health insurance and the fact that the only reason they won't socialize health care is because of that awful word: "socialize". Dear God! Why would we want to look out for our fellow human being? No, instead we have to run off to Iraq and protect our oil interests instead of helping people who are victims to horrific storms here at home; or feeding our starving children before bombing the h3ll out of Afghanistan, thus forcing us to throw peanut butter (of all things) at them!

Boy, who'd have thunk one hospital procedure would become such a political issue. Sorry y'all...

[WhiskeyGirl]

Thats such cr@P Kelli!! I am so sorry your mom has to go through this!! I wish her all the best of luck and hope that they can get they cr@p figured so that she can get the treatments and tests that she needs!

[LaceyinPgh]

I have to fill out three different forms every year when I go in to my doctor to get my migraine prescription refilled. This medication keeps me sane, out of pain, and allows me to go to work and teach children as opposed to lying in bed puking all day in blinding pain. My mother couldn't get an MRI done because her doctor didn't feel the need to sign the paper. (We later found out that this doctor actually made bonuses from the HMO for having a low amount of test referrals.) When I was on my dad's insurance years ago I couldn't get my birth control for $9 it was $50 but if a man wanted Viagra they passed it out like tic tacs. This country SUCKS when it comes to health care. Especially for women and the economical deprived but please don't get me started on that. We have a long way to go for equality around here.

I'm sorry for your mom. Did someone forget to inform the insurance company that cancer is in fact a life threatening disease that needs immediate and aggressive treatment? This is cancer, not a stubbed toe! Tell you mom to call her insurance company. Tell her to tell her doctor to call. You call. Everyone in your family needs to call. If someone can't give you want you want ask to talk to their supervisor and their supervisor and so on. Make them dread hearing the phone ring. Once they do that, start paying visits in person. Make them give you what you want just so they never have to look at you or hear your name again.

[Jenn060306]

I'm sorry to hear that they had to cancel you're mom's appointment. I can't understand why the health care in the US is like that.
I count my blessings that health care is still good here. The waits can be long to get in to see a specailist but its still free.
Hopefully they will be able to get her in soon!

[CindySue]

Kelli, I understand you being so mad. I would be too. I wish your mom the best and your family is in my prayers.
I read an ad a few weeks ago in the area newspaper. It was about medicare paying for ED medications. Im thinking "so many people have trouble getting medicare to pay for meds they need to LIVE (heart meds, diabetic meds, etc.) and medicare doesnt want to pay, but it will gladly pay to help a bunch of old geezers to get their goobers up?" Sorry......my grandmother has had so many problems with medicare.

[Kacie_bride]

I'm very sorry about your mother. Insurance companies suck. My uncle had trouble with his insurance covering heart surgery a few years back. They finally got everything in line and scheduled a surgery, but a week before he was to have the surgery he died of a heart attack. While I'm not for socializing health care for various reasons, I still think our health care system needs major adjustments. But I don't want to get into a political conversation. Regardless, I am very sorry and I wish your mother all the best.

[shawnsgirl]

I have to deal with insurance comapnies every single days, from HMO's to medicare to your everyday blue crosws blue shield. FIrst of all you mom needs to call her insurance company and and tell them whats going on here. #1 she needs to explain her diagnosis and what testing is needed. She needs to request to find a participating provider that can offer her the same services. Then, she needs to go to the provider she is currently waiting on and request a referrel to the new participating provider. As far as authorization is concerned this is the responsibility of the provider to obatin. Not the patient. If the Referell is given then the new participating provider will obtain preauthorization from the primary insurance for what ever procedure is to be preformed. n appointment is made and it is done. I would have her atleast try to have it done. If she contacts her insurance and a new provider than arrangments can be made, but the correct route must be followed. I hope this information helps...Let us know how your mom make out. I wish and pray for a full recovery!!!

Now, I could go on forever and ever about this health care system. I hate it with a passion. Plus, I gotta deal with it every single day wich can be frustrating but I know I can help protect patients from it as well. That's the good part of my job!!! Actually, health isnurancxe is to blame for higher health care costs, lack of health care costs, and the restircition of choosing what doctor fits your needs. Years ago we had it right when there was no health care insurance! I also wanted to comment on the Viagra and Birth Control...Get this since....Since now men that can't get it up doe to many different health reasons, drug abuse, prostate problems, age, etc...and It is considered a medical condition..The price in which the insurance will pay is greater. Birth Control, the reason why insurances will not pay as much and sometimes at all is becuase it's a personal choice. There's not a really definable medical condition for that treatment therefore insurances will not pay as much and the treatment will be more expensive....We have old men who want to get it up and 14 year old girls and sometime younger that are getting knocked up...Makes a lot of sence doesn't it. I gotta get off of my soap box here beofre I get evberyone's head spinnig....Back to the point take my advice about a referal and what not...Let us know how everything fgoes and keep us updated!!!
Jonelle

[usahgrad]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I go up there this weekend, so I'm going to see if there's anything we can do to get her in anywhere earlier. I will definitely contact the insurance company as well as her surgeon and the hospital. They've got to be able to pull some strings somewhere.

I will keep you gals updated...and thanks for all the support you gals give me! I don't know where I'd be without y'all!