I was thinking of the song Psycho by Puddle of Mudd and can't help but think of my latest conversation with the "insurance specialist" in the NC doctor's office. I love the doctor and the fellows that I have spoken to and also every other person on staff that I have spoken to and/or met.... that is except for the insurance specialist! For some reason it just feels like she has a strong dislike of me! That is where the song comes in, feeling somewhat paranoid. I have no idea why she would dislike me but she just is very short with me. When I told her that I had talked to a few people that fought insurance companies and got the occipital nerve stimulator implanted, they got it through the appeal process, meaning I can't appeal anything until they submit a request, she said "Well I just don't believe that, these people must not have understood exactly what you are talking about" to which I calmly replied yes, we had extensive discussions and it is the same exact surgery, to which she replies she still doesn't believe it, like I am just making things up. She then says "Well maybe you can just go to whatever doctor they went to" at which time I say that I would like my medical records so she promptly transfers my call to the medical records department. The person there of course was very nice and helpful (go figure). Oh well, starting over again is a little depressing but I have been waiting since July and she has done nothing. She talked to a representative from my insurance carrier and faxed some medical studies about occipital nerve stimulation to her. I spoke with the insurance rep who actually was much nicer than her who was confused as to why only research info was faxed to them. They need the doctor to actually request coverage for my surgery before they can review and make a decision. The insurance specialist at his office will not because she says it will be immediately denied. I feel like this one employee is causing the doctor to lose money. Maybe they will figure it out eventually. At first I thought about calling and speaking with the office manager about it but then I just decided to forget it. We chronic pain patients already are on thin ice with some folks thinking we are nuts already, like we are imagining our illnesses and they are "all in our heads". I don't have the energy to talk to another person unless I have to. I know that is sad but it is true. I don't want to talk unless it is a person who is important to me I am talking to, as each word actually hurts my face and head to speak. Anyway, enough whining from me today. I am going to try to add a link to the YouTube video for that song. Of course for you other headache sufferers you might want to turn the sound down like me!
http://youtu.be/pDdeOncpD5E
2 comments:
I am actually from NC and it is only because of you and this blog that I found out there is a doctor in NC that can possibly fix me! Don't stop! You deserve to be able to live a life that is free of pain and headaches and meds! If you like the doctor and his staff (with one exception) then pick up that phone and call whom ever you need to to get this figured out and approved! You give me hope! I pray that this man can fix both of us! It is obvious that this one individual has no clue what we go through day after day. I wish that I could call for you! I have faith that you are going to get this approved and this doctor is going to give you a life that you have only dreamed of! NOW SICK EM'!
Hi Shannon! Thanks so much for your kind words! If you go to the blog http://onstim.blogspot.com/ there is a list of doctors who are known to perform this surgery. That is how I found that doctor. I have decided to leave that practice but really I do like the doctor there. He seems brilliant and sympathetic. Good luck to you too!!!
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