What a beautiful day! The snow is slowly coming down and gently coating the trees–how peaceful! And my excuse for staying home and getting as much done as possible. Which has been very little…and reflecting back, today has actually been a frustrating, irritating, patience testing, and much needed perseverance day! Haha–Perseverance is the Flower Fairies Card of the week! What a great way to celebrate and honor Mr. Martin Luther King Junior! I tend to avoid political conversations and controversial topics like the plaque, but I really need to vent. We live in this wonderful country called the United States of America, yet there are many things that are not created equal…take our healthcare system for example. I pay oodles of money for private health insurance–it is what it is, and I accept it’s what I have to do since it is the only way I can get coverage. I went in for my yearly mammogram, a preventative service that is free, and then received a bill from the radiologist who reviewed the results. So I called the insurance company today, spent over an hour on the phone, mostly on hold, and was transferred around several times. Secretly, I think this is their way of getting people to hang up and not have to deal with them. Perseverance folks! It was my word of the day! So I was gently reminded when I talked to someone, that they were no longer my insurance carrier as of 12/31/2017. Yes, I know, because now insurance companies can decide what counties they will offer their coverage to, and I wasn’t in one of those counties that you continue to provide for. And my only other option this year did not cover my hospital or any of my providers. Lucky for me that I own my own business so I had another option and was able to get coverage, or I’d be up a creek without a paddle. So when I explained my issue, and how I was billed by the radiologist, I was told that the radiologist was not covered under my plan. I asked if there were other radiologists in that practice that are on my plan, and was told yes, but I had no say in who read my results. I reiterated…I am referred by my doctor for my preventative mammogram (i.e. free) to a facility that takes my insurance, but then someone reads my results who isn’t in my plan, but there are others in the office who are, and I have no say over that, and now it’s my responsibility to pay that fee? I say this with total kindness and respect, because I’ve been on the opposite end of that phone call, and kindness goes a long, long way. Yeah, I had it right. Really??? This is all the more frustrating for me as I work in the healthcare system in my other life. So, my bill is now in the appeals process. I will know in 30 business days what the outcome will be.
I recognize that I am blessed to have insurance and the option to speak out, and I realize this is a minor issue compared to the millions of people who are struggling immensely with the our fucked up healthcare system. Yes, I said fucked up. Yes, I’m a minister, and I’m going to say it and I’ll say it again. In this day and age, how do we determine who qualifies for health insurance benefits and who doesn’t? Why is one person’s life more valuable than another? We need to fight for things that truly matter…just like Mr. King. Thank you for those who are the voice and are determined to make things better in this world–bless you! And stay tuned–I’ll keep you posted on this debacle!