Ah, the wonders of paperwork and insurance companies

I was under the mistaken impression that bone density testing was now considered preventive women's care and made an appointment as my doc wanted me to get tested last year. In speaking with my sister, she told me she just had to dish out $$ for her testing.

So I called my carrier who informed me testing is subject to my deductible. I requested they look in to see if it was covered under the new laws, then I lost the call. I came back to the office, was browsing through the policy coverage, and called again. I was directed to go on line (which pi$$es me off)one would think this would be noted in my policy information) and to find a PDF and type in word "bone." Yes, it is covered, but only if one is 60 with risk factors or 65 and menopausal. So since I don't meet those qualifications, I cancelled my appointment.

I have been tested before. I believe it was the year of my shoulder surgery so I had already met my deductible. I know I have osteopenia and they are no longer recommending medication so readily for that, so why bother testing again at this point? I take calcium and Vitamin D and do weight bearing exercise.

Given what they have found out about those wonder drugs to help the bones, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't even take them if I had osteoporosis.

So the bone density people will see me after a couple more birthdays.

/rant.

Good luck with your issue, Dean. My Dad had supplemental O2. Not sure if he ever flew with it, but I know it can be an issue. Hope they sort it out for you.

 

^ My doctor once told me that I had osteopenia, too. I was feeling very proud of myself until he explained it wasn't what I thought it was.

I don't need supplemental Oxygen to fly, or much of anything else that doesn't involve some kind of physical exertion. My doctor wanted me to have the POC so I could walk around town while still being able to breathe in all the heat and humidity. And that I have it to use while walking around campus once school starts. I have my doubts, but I'm kind of hoping the angioplasty will reduce, or even eliminate, my need for supplemental Oxygen, at least temporarily.

The very last update I received about fifteen minutes ago is that Univita would have a lightweight POC at my front door by Thursday afternoon at the latest. I'm completely lacking in faith at this point. Any bets they show up as scheduled, but with an iron lung?

 

I'm thinking a rolling walker and a bedside commode.

 

It's my understanding that Univita deals in Oxygen equipment only. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised if that's what they bring to my front door. Apparently, their local subsidiary closest to me, OxyLife, doesn't have a POC in stock, as of 4:52 PM today. Not their fault, all things considered. Seeing as my doctor dawdled along getting my diagnosis confirmed until the first week of May before ordering the POC.

To any of you toying with the idea of contracting a debilitating and terminal illness, please have the courtesy to notify your poor, overworked, and underpaid insurance company at least a year in advance.

 

Let me write that one in my will. Sorry to hear your issues continue.

 

Some years back I ordered an IPod from apple,
It was laser etched on the back with my name and phone number.
I ordered it mid afternoon local time and fedex showed up at my door the next morning.
That was less than 24 hours from time of order and point of origin was Xiancheng, China.

one would think that they could do better.
although they may have restrictions on shipping oxygen although if you can hand carry it onto a plane......

 

Carrying compressed Oxygen on a plane is not allowed. Only FAA approved portable Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

One of the company trucks showed up at my house this evening. Rather than come to the front door, the driver sat in his truck for a good twenty minutes, evidently waiting for one of us to come outside. Not boding well. I go out and verify that it's me and I'm the one in need of a portable Oxygen concentrator. So, he pulls out this "portable" unit about the size and configuration of my roll-on luggage. It had a pair of wheels and a pull-up handle, just like my roll-onluggage. What my doctor had actually ordered for me is about the size and shape of a shoulder bag, has a shoulder strap, and weighs about twelve pounds.

So, I ask the guy how much it weighs. His answer - "About thirty five pounds."
So, I asked him what made it "portable". His answer - " It's got wheels and a handle."
Not quite sure whether to entertain myself further by attempting to make him aware of his obliviousness to my situation, or gut him like a fish in the middle of my dark, secluded driveway. I settled for asking him quite how I was supposed to use my cane, roll around my luggage, and roll the this obviously non-portable POC around with two hands, while I attempted to enjoy my vacation.
His answer - "I dunno. It's all I got." Then the conversation got really ugly. We'll just leave it at that, except to say my driveway is in the very same condition it was prior to the company drone's visit.

Maybe I'll get a POC tomorrow. Or maybe I won't. But it will be one hell of an interesting day in either case.

 

give 'em hell dean

 

I believe he's got the situation in hand and will need no prodding from us.

I can relate to your angst having dealt with similar issues for +1. It is a royal pita dealing with these folks. Doctors write all these prescriptions and hand them over and leave the patients to deal with issues with insurance companies who employ only idiot demons from the pits of Hell. GRRRR. My bp goes over the top just thinking of it.

 

The thing is, that's not what happened in my case. I wasn't left to handle this on my own. My doctor as well as my respiratory therapist have fought most of the battle on my behalf since the beginning of May. It was my poor RT's DAY OFF yesterday, yet she was still texting me about this mess at 9:30 last night to ask me what, if anything, I had heard from the supplier. The woman is a saint. But today she is one pissed off saint.
She was the one who wrote the order for the POC, giving very clear and explicit instructions as to what equipment I required. And describing in great detail what my physical limitations are - I have a cobbled-together left leg, a cobbled-together left arm, cardiac ischemia, and I am unable to walk without the use of a cane. Therefore, I was to receive the smallest POC, shoulder strap type available, not the huge, suitcase-like monstrosity the driver brought. A case large enough to stuff a body the size of the driver into, incidentally.