Hello all,

I wanted to post a few tips that we have learned through Heather's ordeal. And I thought it would be a good idea to bring this topic back to the front page of the forum. These tips aren't exactly about bills, but they are about insurance.

#1. Find out if you can have a Case Manager at the insurance company assigned to you. It is much easier when you can talk to the same person all the time. I feel you get much better service.

#2. Don't assume that because something was paid for while you were in the hospital, it will be paid for when you are at home. The meds to bring Heather's blood counts up were paid for 100% when she was in the hospital. Once we got home, the ins. co. wanted them to go through her prescription plan. Her plan only pays 50% and we are talking about shots that cost $2700 each!!!

#3. Don't assume everything is written in stone. Because we talked to the right people and because we had a personal Case Manager, we got the ins. co. to pay 100% for the shots. The doctor needed to write a Letter of Medical Necessity, which was reviewed by the medical director at the ins. co.

#4. Don't be shy. We pointed out that we were saving the ins. co. thousands of dollars by caring for Heather at home. And that it would be easy to re-admit her to the hospital, because her health is still in a very precarious state. They could pay for a few shots or pay for her to go back to the hospital. I think they decided that a few $2700 shots was a lot cheaper than another hospital stay.

More later. Happy 4th, everyone!

Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie