Anyone gone to their grievance hearing?..need advice

Hi Everyone, Well, I sent in a binder a couple weeks ago to HAP and received in the mail today a letter stating my 2nd formal grievance hearing is set for the 22nd at 4:00 p.m. It says I can show up in person (not an option..can't get time off of work) or contact my rep, Patricia Sherer and let her know I want a conference call for this. Has anybody went to their formal hearing or conferenced in? I was a little disappointed to see everything I have sent has been "paraphrased" for easy reading at the beginning of my file with all my letters and documentation behind it. I'm assuming the same was with my binder I sent in including pictures. I also sent in all my medical records back to 1996 showing my weight at every doctors appt. and various talks with my doctor. The only part paraphrased in the summary at the beginning of the binder is the last several months... I have to wonder if they even look at the rest of the research and documentation I sent in! I think I had better at least conference call in..but I have NO idea how to fight for myself on this. I am so disgusted with HAP..and to make matters worse, I found out this week I can no longer buckle my seat belt on an airplane .. I am beyond depressed. I just wish I could check out .. any advice would be great. Thanks.

Yep, even if I had to call in sick, I would! At my work, we can use sick time for Dr., etc....this I would consider just that! It's important...I'd get there somehow, unless you'll lose your job. Just my opinion. Best of luck!!!! Theresa

Im so sorry about all of your struggles with HAP. I have BCN and It took me over a year to get approved. I went to my in person appeal the first time in 3/2005 and they still denied me. A year later when I tried again the original doctor that looked over my files said no again. When there member grievence panel got to my chart the lady from BCN told me in a round about way to write another letter and she was sure it was going to be approved. For me I think it was based on the the case worker that I ended up with. I think that if it was not for her I would still be fighting. What ever you do dont give up. Dayja

Kim, You need to be there. They need to see the struggles you are going through and see that you are ready for this. Make sure you have all the facts on your comorbidities and know what you're saying. I went to mine and had a speech written up to read to them. I had fifteen minutes to tell why i needed this done, then they asked questions. By the end of my speech i was crying, and they could see all the pain i was going through. If i had just done it on the phone, they wouldn't have seen any of that. Do your best to be there, you need to do this. Hugs Linda

Okay.. okay. You've all convinced me. I am going to my appeal hearing and scared to death!! I know I will break down and I have NO idea on what exactly to stress to them. My husband is going to go also as he has a few things he wants to say... Thanks for all the words of wisdom!

Go get them! What do you think your husband will say? Best, Michele

Hi Michele, first let me say congrats!!! you are doing SOOOOO good.. when I think about the possibility of surgery, I keep thinking of how well you are doing. I would only pray that mine would go the same. You are doing such a good job! I especially was happy to read your post today since my husband went to pick up our dog from his parents (we were on vacation) and his mother gave him the third degree again on how scared she is for me and how surgery is "the easy way out"... unbelievable. I just want to have a uneventful surgery and start on the road to health. Thanks for being my inspiration. My husband is an executive, so I think he wants to comment on the financial aspects of the surgery, but he also wants to let them know what life is like living with someone struggeling on a daily basis from this disease. When we got on our transfer plane yesterday and the seat belt did not fit, he said it was just complete terror and humiliation in my face. He kept trying to comfort me..told me not too worry, that even he had a difficult time with his seat belt, but he said the fear in my face was heartbreaking. I sat there, hiding the unbuckeled belt under my sweatshirt and cried the whole flighy home. Also, on our vacation, my apnea has become so severe that he actually took a blanket and slept outside on a lawn chair so he didn't have to listen to me. I guess he wants to make it real to them. I think HAP employees are made of steel and some type of fiberoptics..not sure it's going to matter much. We'll see. Just please remember to pray for me if you are inclined. Keep up the good work, Michele! You're doing AWESOME!

Oh Kim, Im so sorry to hear this. HAP has just got to be the worst, Im convinced. I have a binder with all my stuff in it to, as well as pictures, that I was going to send in for my appeal. Like the others, I agree you should go in person if at all possible. I don't blame you for being scared, I would be too. I wouldn't know what to say, if I could say anything at all without crying. I'll be praying for you! Don't give up! There is always the state insurance comission. Colleen

Thanks Colleen.. I'll keep you updated. I sent in pictures too..in my bra and undies....so when I'm up there speaking I can't even picture THEM in their underwear..I just know they know what I look like in mine!!!!! YIKES!!!!!! I know I will cry through the whole thing and it will be terrible. I appreciate the prayers..they will help.