turtlefoot
Headstamp Addict
Hi,
First off, I don't want people to think I wrote this for the "poor me" types of reasons. There are a lot of people going through more than me (including people on this list). I just need to talk, in general, so to speak. Since so many of you have been so friendly to me, I decided to talk here.
Some of you know, and many do not, I have been diagnosed with a cervical spine injury (four seperate diagnosis). I have been a bit of a ping pong ball going to three different doctors and physical therapy, in three different cities over the last three months. I have also become very good at talking to insurance companies, third party certifiers, pain clinic specialists, etc.
Anyway, I saw my surgeon yesterday and was a bit depressed after leaving.
First, the good news. I have been put on hold by my insurance company for two months now. They do not want to cover one minor procedure that he wants done and they do not want to cover the surgery that he thinks is needed. He believes that he has completed, or nearly completed all of the steps to get me fixed. Other than swinging a coil, my other main hobby is kayaking. I haven't been in a kayak for a year and a half. He told me that he is hoping to have me in a kayak before the freeze of 2011. It's a ways away but at least it is a goal that is still there.
Second, the not so good news. I also asked about MD'ing since it hurts extremely bad to move my arm in the side to side motion (the last time I tried was for less than an hour and hurt for three days afterwards). He told me that he is in hopes that he can stabilize the neck enough to make it possible...BUT since there is damage and scarring on the spinal cord, I might have that pain the rest of my life. Not a yes but not a no either.
Third, the bad news. I am off of work on short term disability. It lasts for six months. I have paid premiums for five years for long term disability which will kick in after the short term is up. I found out that my company does not offer health insurance to those on long term disability (only during short term disability), just a paycheck and a guarantee of a job. I have roughly 70 days left on my insurance. It's not possible to get the minor procedure done, then wait for the healing time and then have the surgery, go through all of the rehab and follow up appointments, etc. in 70 days...and I cannot be released to go back to work to protect my insurance before all is done (my insurance company is the best at stalling on EVERYTHING). I am at a loss as to what to do.
I know that it sound like I am feeling sorry for myself and I really am not. My neck injuries are my fault (motorcycle accident, dropped on my head by a professional wrestler and a near fatal kayak accident). I just need to sound off a bit. I appreciate your time reading this.
Thanks for all of the great friends that I have made on the forum.
Doug
First off, I don't want people to think I wrote this for the "poor me" types of reasons. There are a lot of people going through more than me (including people on this list). I just need to talk, in general, so to speak. Since so many of you have been so friendly to me, I decided to talk here.
Some of you know, and many do not, I have been diagnosed with a cervical spine injury (four seperate diagnosis). I have been a bit of a ping pong ball going to three different doctors and physical therapy, in three different cities over the last three months. I have also become very good at talking to insurance companies, third party certifiers, pain clinic specialists, etc.
Anyway, I saw my surgeon yesterday and was a bit depressed after leaving.
First, the good news. I have been put on hold by my insurance company for two months now. They do not want to cover one minor procedure that he wants done and they do not want to cover the surgery that he thinks is needed. He believes that he has completed, or nearly completed all of the steps to get me fixed. Other than swinging a coil, my other main hobby is kayaking. I haven't been in a kayak for a year and a half. He told me that he is hoping to have me in a kayak before the freeze of 2011. It's a ways away but at least it is a goal that is still there.
Second, the not so good news. I also asked about MD'ing since it hurts extremely bad to move my arm in the side to side motion (the last time I tried was for less than an hour and hurt for three days afterwards). He told me that he is in hopes that he can stabilize the neck enough to make it possible...BUT since there is damage and scarring on the spinal cord, I might have that pain the rest of my life. Not a yes but not a no either.
Third, the bad news. I am off of work on short term disability. It lasts for six months. I have paid premiums for five years for long term disability which will kick in after the short term is up. I found out that my company does not offer health insurance to those on long term disability (only during short term disability), just a paycheck and a guarantee of a job. I have roughly 70 days left on my insurance. It's not possible to get the minor procedure done, then wait for the healing time and then have the surgery, go through all of the rehab and follow up appointments, etc. in 70 days...and I cannot be released to go back to work to protect my insurance before all is done (my insurance company is the best at stalling on EVERYTHING). I am at a loss as to what to do.
I know that it sound like I am feeling sorry for myself and I really am not. My neck injuries are my fault (motorcycle accident, dropped on my head by a professional wrestler and a near fatal kayak accident). I just need to sound off a bit. I appreciate your time reading this.
Thanks for all of the great friends that I have made on the forum.
Doug
I though now insurance companies couldn't NOT pay for stuff... did that never happen?
