insurance co. stink!

Hi Guys, I have been on and off the phone w/my insurance company all day today. They just make no sense at all. They say they will pay 90% of the surgery and surgeons fee to have the PICC line placed in (which is a semi-permanent IV line but goes all the way up the vein into an artery in the heart) but wont cover any of the cost of the TPN (which is IV calories/vitamins/nourishment) or the machine that the TPN has to run through. Both are very expensive if you had to pay out of pocket and there is no way I can do that. To sum up their claim on why they dont want to pay is my weight is now just in the 'underweight' category and my albumin/bilirubin levels aren't severely low enough(think walking dead), therefore I am 'fine'. All of my doctors faxed over letters stating they think its medically necessary and the insurance company "doctor" say its not. Of course he will say whatever the insurance company tells him to say b/c they are paying his salary. Just stupid. It just makes no sense they will pay for me to have a semi-permanent IV placed in but not the stuff that goes in the IV. Its like I'll walk around with an IV in me but nothing to put in it, like 'hello look at my lovely PICC line that I can do nothing with!" Makes no sense. I think they are doing this so this fight can go over to the next year and then that deductible I have to pay goes into affect. Then its like "oops sorry now you are responsible for everything!" Dumb buttheads. Thanks for letting me rant! Love you guys.

Tavia, It really is all BS!!! they do whatever it takes to NOT pay for something but yet how much money do we pay INTO The system! Why not get more people to catch the people that are committing insurance fraud so they can help the one that really need it!!! Ok Tavia this is just for YOU! OK now I have to catch my breath.. Debra P

ARRRRRGH and BLEECH! I can't believe it, I mean I can, but how ridiculously stupid!!! Maybe you can mainline some cream cheese into your PIC line? There has to be something illegal with denying you NUTRITION. I hope you can fight it. xosm

Hi Tavia, I agree --it stinks! Insurance companies are the pits! You need to expose them for what they are--Have you considered contacting the Media--maybe or a congressman or senator??? It may not help --but then again it may! I am always praying for you--keep on keepin' on girl! Be Blessed, Marian S C 242.4/148/goal 125-130???

I just think it is terrible that our insurance companies get to dictate our lives. I have a co-worker that her insurance would pay for her medicine put won't pay for vitamins. Wouldn't you think they would want to keep us healthy so we don't have claims?? Good Luck with your battle!! Betsy

That IS rediculous and infuriating. They should want to prevent further complication or malnutrition, not wait until it gets worse!! Buttheads is right! Keep stickin' it to 'em girl. Hopefully, they'll turn around. Hugs, Amy

Damn insurance! I'm so sorry you are going through this, Tavia. I hope things get resolved for you

glad your venting that! I am so sorry there doing this to you. I am sorry its sucks when the insurance company makes decisions. IF the doctors say its needed that should be enough. (((HUG))) and i dont know what to say! keep comeing here to vent.....

YUP! INSURANCE SUCKS!!! I'm stuck with about $50,000 in hospital bills from this summer. They're going to get $100 apiece for the rest of my life! Your situation makes NO sense, though. They're such IDIOTS!!! I hope things turn around for you! Traci

Oh man!!! This soooo sucks! I agree - makes no sense at all. I bet you're right about them postponing until they can squeeze a deductible out of you again, too!! I'm tempted to call Help Me Howard or Shame On You on your behalf...this is absurd! Keep on ranting/sharing...we're all pulling for you! Regards, Mary Mc