CANCELLED

Brenny Thank you. I won't give up, but right now I am feeling quite disappointed and depressed. I don't think the prayers should be wasted on me. I am beginning to think God is trying to tell me that the surgery is not meant for me as this is the second cancellation in less than 2 months. {{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}} Brenda

Brenda....I am soooooo sorry to hear of your problems with insurance. I hope that you find just a little more fight within yourself for this. You deserve this for yourself and your family!! Let me know if there is anything I can do....or you just need to vent. Send me an e-mail...I'm just up the road Clarissa

Clarissa Thanks for your concern. At this point, I just feel abandoned by my faith. Everyone says there is a reason for everything, but I cannot think of one reason for this to be cancelled. I also feel that God doesn't believe I deserve this. I am going to be compliant with the Aetna criteria, but even that is no guarantee they will approve. I believe their whole thing is about money. You see in May, we have to start paying $900 per month for our health premiums to Aetna for the next 6 months, then we will have to continue those payments under COBRA for another 5 months for my hubby and another 8 for me. It is all about the money with insurance companies. Thanks for all your encouragement and for listening to me vent. Take care, Brenda

Brenda, OMG, I just got home and got your email. I am in disbelief. Unimaginable. What about the other insurance and getting in on COBRA plan? Is that still an option? God has plans for you girlfriend. It just isn't your time yet for some reason. Maybe he is sparing you from pain, or something else is going to happen in your life that you are needed for right night. I know how it feels. I went through similar experience a year ago, yet here I am now.. and in better space with all of you as friends and support. Again I am so sorry. Don't believe that God isn't there for you or he isn't listening to you. In fact, he is answering, just not in the way that we were hoping for at this time. There is a reason and perhaps it will be shown to you. Take care and please keep in touch. Do not let this consume you or beat you up. Look at all alternatives, write appeal letters, check out the other insurances, etc. You are a wonderful support to others and they will be to you as well. When 2 or 3 are gathered in HIS name...... Terri

Terri: I am not eligible for COBRA coverage under BC/BS because I have access to other coverage with Aetna. God may have plans for me, but they apparently don't include the ones I have for myself. He may be answering, but I don't think He is really listening to me. I am going to appeal, but that doesn't help the fact that my surgery has already been cancelled. It is little consolation. I will meet the criteria required by Aetna, but that is no guarantee they will approve it then either. I just wanted this so bad that I have lost 21 pounds just to prove that I can make this tool work for me. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I will be here for everyone as always. Just not feeling too encouraging right now. How can I tell someone else to have faith when I feel abandoned??? Take care, Brenda

Brenda, Hi again. When you are feeling down and discouraged, that is not the work of God. Feeling abandoned is something that Saten is using to get you to giveup on God. Remember Job and all he went through. EVERYTHING was taken away, even his health. He didn't understand it, but he stood his ground and kept his faith, and he got so much more. When BC approved me last year, I was on top of the world. Then a week before surgery (if even that) I was denied by BS, I was crushed. After appeal, I was devestated. I quit going to the group meetings and all that. However, events occured within that year that I needed strength for that I wouldn't have been able to endure given I had surgery at THAT time. We don't have the answers. ONly the questions. But giving up on God or feeling abandanded because you didn't get what you wanted right now isn't fair to you or God. It's like right now he is being the parent saying, "my beloved brenda, right now is not your time. I'm either sparing you from...... or..during this time I need you stronger for ....". It doesn't mean NO forever. I know this probably doesn't help at all, but I know you have a stong faith background and giving up is only going to make you feel worse. I WAS where you are a year ago. They denied my insurance and I didn't have a chance to redeem it. NO 3 months, 6 months or anything. It was NO and that was that. It wasn't til a year later that we switched insurances and I happened to run into Cole's staff, that this process happened for me. I'm sorry.. so sorry... Ter

Brenda, Hun I am so sorry to hear your news..... These damn Ins Comp are really starting to **** me off, they are all about making themselves money and NOT about what is best for the one insured...~growls~ Please just keep fighting and don't let them win...... I know it is hard to keep going when you feel so upset and discouraged but please hang in there hun.... I also had to waist my time with this 6 month weight loss program before my Dr would even submit my paperwork (GHI) and I am 5 months into it. I know Aetna is another one that requires that 6 month weight loss program, if you have any questions about it please email me, I do have a letter from Aetna stating that, I would be happy to forward it to you. Take care, Debra

Debra I cannot appeal the decision as they have not denied the request, they are waiting for further information, whi*****ludes 6 months of a supervised diet and exercise regimen within the past two years. I went to Take Off Pounds Sensibly for 7 months in 2003, but I don't know if the doctor has that documented or not. Due to my back problems, it is difficult to do much exercising. I agree it is all about the money and they are going to pay cause I will go to the doctor for every little ailment I have. Thanks for your encouragement. Take care, Brenda

What the?!!!!! What criteria do they say you do not meet? I'm curious. Your bmi is above 40. Do you have any co-morbidities? You have to stay strong and fight this. Come on Brenda!!!!! Give yourself a couple of days to deal with the feelings and then get right back on the horse and ride!!!! We will, as you can see from the responses, be here for you.

Dawn I have to have 6 months of a supervised diet and exercise regimen prior to surgery of which 3 months can be from the past 2 years and then I must do 3 months supervised now. If I cannot document 3 months supervised program over the past 2 years, then I will have to do a 6 month now. Yes, my BMI is way over 40 and I have high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. I am at present trying to get our insurance problems straightened out. We have met our maximum out of pocket expenses for the year, but everytime the pharmacy tries to put my husband's script through, they try to charge us the $100 deductible that is already paid. Now, I can't get anyone to answer from Ingersoll Rand or Aetna on that subject. Thanks for the encouragement. I will get over it eventually, but it is difficult. With my central cord lumbar stenosis, I could be paralyzed in 3 months. It depends on how quickly the arthritis builds up around the spinal cord. If that happens, they will do have to perform back surgery. Take Care, Brenda