Blue Cross and Good Samaritan Hospital

I found out why my surgery has been taking so long to schedule.  BC and Good Sam (SJ) are renegotiating their contract and hit a snag.  There is no estimated date of surgery as a result.  If you have BC and were planning to use Good Sam, ask questions about timing. I had a major food blowout the evening I found out, but I'm back on track.  Did you know cashews are 755 calories a cup???  I won't do that again.  On the plus side, I didn't have the bag of potato chips and big bar of chocolate that I used to have.  Protein, protein, protein, I kept chanting as I walked down the grocery store aisles.  It was NOT my first choice.  OK, I still need help dealing with stress, especially when I'm away from home. Ah well, I'm back home and things are settling in. :-)  It's been a nice quiet day.  I ate on plan and got in my exercise. ---jan---

jj *hugs*  i feel your frustration.  i had a devil of a time getting my date and i am so afraid that because of the negotiations, my upcoming surgery is going to be canceled.  it's all very stressful.  have you heard anything about an end to the negotiations?  from what i understand, everything prior to the end of their coe certification drop date has been booked and there's no telling when (or where) upcoming surgeries are going to be held.  good for you for only having a little blowout and getting right back on track!   i hope that you get a date soon.

Thanks and *hugs* back atcha. :)  All I know is July 15 is the date the current contract expires and I can't get a date until the dispute is settled or a new hospital is chosen.  I'm hoping they'll make an exception and let me go to California Pacific Medical Group in SF which is an hour closer to me.  Keeping fingers, toes and eyes crossed. I'm happy you got in under the wire. :) ---jan---

i've got everything crossed and am sending up prayer for you. i don't understand why bc wants us to go to g.s. when cpmc is both closer and a center of excellence in its own right.  it's so frustrating.

Thanks!  I can use all the help I can get. I'm with you on that.  The only reason I can think of is Good Sam is cheaper for them. I just sent Dr J an email asking him what the odds were of my getting switched to cpmc. :) I'll be at the Petaluma support group tomorrow.  I'm bringing 3X clothes I've grown out of in case anyone is interested.  Thanks for your support. ---jan---

It's in the Heron room at the Sheraton Sonoma County. If you're coming from SF..   Distance: 33.8 miles, Time: 37 mins

1.	Starting at GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE on VISTA ACC going toward MERCHANT RD	go 0.1 mi	0.1 mi
2.	Turn RIGHT on MERCHANT RD	go < 0.1 mi	0.1 mi
3.	Take ramp onto US-101 N	go 33.1 mi	33.2 mi
4.	Take the SONOMA/NAPA exit	go 0.3 mi	33.5 mi
5.	Turn LEFT on LAKEVILLE HWY(CA-116)	go 0.2 mi	33.6 mi
6.	Turn RIGHT on BAYWOOD DR	go 0.1 mi	33.7 mi
7.	Arrive at 745 BAYWOOD DR, PETALUMA, on the RIGHT	go < 0.1 mi

i'm sure you're right about it coming down to cost. have you gotten good results emailing the surgeons?  i tried it once through the oh website and didn't hear back.  where is petaluma?  i'm so new to this area... i was thinking about going but i have no idea where it is.  lol.

DUH, I posted the response to your question to me... It's in the Heron room at the Sheraton Sonoma County. If you're coming from SF..   Distance: 33.8 miles, Time: 37 mins

1.	Starting at GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE on VISTA ACC going toward MERCHANT RD	go 0.1 mi	0.1 mi
2.	Turn RIGHT on MERCHANT RD	go < 0.1 mi	0.1 mi
3.	Take ramp onto US-101 N	go 33.1 mi	33.2 mi
4.	Take the SONOMA/NAPA exit	go 0.3 mi	33.5 mi
5.	Turn LEFT on LAKEVILLE HWY(CA-116)	go 0.2 mi	33.6 mi
6.	Turn RIGHT on BAYWOOD DR	go 0.1 mi	33.7 mi
7.	Arrive at 745 BAYWOOD DR, PETALUMA, on the RIGHT	go < 0.1 mi

10am.  A little early because Jeannette will be giving a talk tomorrow. ---jan---

Dr J just responded to my email. :))  I think I have Dr C's email too, let me know if you can't find his business card and I'll find it and email it to you. ---jan---