Tuesday, June 29, 2010

That's It

Now I'm so mad, so upset that perhaps a rant here on the blogosphere will alleviate some of the anguish I feel. I'm titling this photo Reality:



This is my daughter, Sophie, who has been in a steady decline with increased seizures, weight loss and a general malaise for months. She was diagnosed with ESES, a rare and devastating seizure syndrome, for the second time (the last episode was five years ago) one month ago. Her neurologist prescribed treatment with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), a treatment that she received successfully five years ago.

It has been four weeks since the diagnosis, but she might have been developing ESES for a while. I am watching my daughter waste away WHILE THE INSURANCE COMPANY, ANTHEM BLUE CROSS OF CALIFORNIA, for which I pay tens of thousands of dollars in premiums,  FUCKS AROUND FIGURING OUT AND "REVIEWING" WHETHER THE TREATMENT SHOULD BE COVERED. I spoke with my doctor's office manager today who said that it is still under review. She hopes to press urgency upon them tomorrow morning.

I am so upset that I've wept, profusely. I am frustrated and angry and lashing out at pretty much anyone who has ever had a kind or supportive word about our healthcare system, about the insurance industry, about the bullshit idea that we live in a country that is GREAT. I have gotten advice from friends and family that perhaps I should contact one of my very wealthy friends, someone powerful enough to bypass this system. And I have to say that that makes me cry BULLSHIT even louder. Of course, I will do that, but why should I have to do this? Why should the damn almighty dollar determine EVERYTHING?

And, yes, I think my daughter deserves this treatment. I believe I've paid for it by the hundreds of thousands of dollars that I've probably spent over the years in premiums. I believe that Anthem Blue Cross is systematically preventing my daughter (and countless others like her) from receiving medically necessary care because it doesn't help THEIR FUCKING BOTTOM LINE.

24 comments:

  1. OMG...I wish I could say something useful, but I can't. I'm just sorry.

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  2. Oh Elizabeth; I often visit because you're such a beautiful writer, but today: prayers your way. May your beautiful daughter receive the treatment she needs and deserves.

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  3. I'm so sorry. Not surprised, but very sorry. Someday maybe this country will wake up, but in the meantime it won't help you. If you have very wealthy friends who would help you, you know you are lucky and need to take advantage. But you are right, it is bullshit because what about the next person who does not have this. If I were wealthy I would help you.

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  4. rant received on loving shoulders.
    I wish there was an easy solution.
    I cannot imagine your wrath and rage and despair and the travesty of our so called civilized world sometimes. this time.

    peace to you, and to beautiful Sophie

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  5. Why, why, why...my God why would any giant business like our Health Insurance need to review this....why oh why...let them take a walk in your shoes..let then see your daughter...I pray that this review period is swift and they just do it!!!! I wish I had the ability to help you ...I do so wish this...my heart goes out to you...arms to hug seem empty yet they are genuinely given...to all your family...can't your doctor do more?

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  6. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of CA are the most miserable insurance companies that ever were. When we had Blue Shield of CA, they denied a bath chair for Robert on the flimsiest of pretenses--minor, I know, compared to the treatment Sophie needs, but I got so mad I called the reviewer to tell him that I knew for a fact that God would send him to hell when he died for denying something that a disabled kid needed. It didn't accomplish anything except making me feel better.

    They all deserve Hell.

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  7. I am so sorry and so angry on your behalf. Blue Cross screwed me over- to the tune of 70,000 medical debt- and I know that feeling, but not the same as for your child. Do what you have to for your girl and I will say a prayer for you tonight.
    xo

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  8. Rant on and we will rant right along with you.Wish that I could say I was surprised but with life with Zoey over the last 3 plus years leaves me less than surprised by anything having to do with health care anymore.And saying that doesn't exactly help you in this situation, so I'll just listen and hope and pray for a resolution.Quick.

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  9. So sorry Elizabeth. So low and loathsome of the insurance companies. I hope Sophie can have the treatment she needs now soon.

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  10. Oh my god, Elizabeth. I'm so sorry. I have nothing to offer here except a long distance virtual hug.

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  11. The greatest country? The best medical care? Absolutely--for some. When will it be for all? I don't have words to offer with regard to your dear Sophie. I am offering a "cyber shoulder" to you.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  12. dear elizabeth..beautiful sophie,
    how i wish i could carry you in comfort, move these heartless bottom line mountains and provide the treatment, respect, compassion and care you needed years ago.

    i think we should make a video and put it on u tube. address it to your insurance company. shouldn't they have to see the gut wrenching heart braking reality you as a parent are forced to helplessly witness? as you are forced to painfully WA I T?

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  13. Crazy. I don't know what else to say. What the hell.

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  14. And why, WHY did all of those people fight health care reform in this country? Have they never had to deal with an insurance company?
    This makes me so angry. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through- the frustration, the feelings of helplessness, the despair and yes, anger.
    I'm sending love, Elizabeth. That's all I can do but I'm doing that.

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  15. I read your blog, but have never commented before... but I just want to offer my support today.
    This is just ridiculous - the way the health insurance companies treat PEOPLE. I could join in your rant (although you'd have to insert *Cigna* for the company name and *large tumor* for the problem), but you've said more than enough. It makes it more sickening that it's a child they're hurting.
    It is absolutely depressing that a company would be willing to let others suffer so they don't lose a dollar.
    Prayers and positive thoughts coming your way for some good news for Sophie and for you guys.

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  16. I am so sorry that not only you have to go through this, but that Sophie has to suffer so much. It just isn't right. Maybe you should post us your insurance companies address and we can all write a letter to them. Maybe with a little pressure they will not mess with you anymore.

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  17. I'm looking at Sophie's face in the picture and it's breaking my heart. It makes me want to cry and weep and swear with you. How on earth is it acceptable that people's suffering is measured by monetary value and turned into profit? How is acceptable that some heartless pencil pusher decides whether a child gets a medical treatment? Sounds like a Kafka novel. This system is absolutely insane and inhumane.

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  18. Nothing to say that I have not said before. If my contempt for those miserable excuses for human beings could be of any effect the Buddhist side of me would in effect die.

    It has been and it continues to be for me the hardest things I have to do not to learn to hate those people. There is something truly evil about them that makes my heart harden and my body shake in anger. They are, if possible more evil than those who carry a gun because the harm they do is protected by, nay, praised by those who "invest" into these companies. I am so sick of it all...

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  19. I know no words can help right now. But at least I can acknowledge that you and your family is caught in a nightmare. What is so obscene is that other American families have no idea how obscene our health care system is until they need it, when the stakes are high. And what is most terrifying is that the greater the health crisis the worse the system becomes. I am so sorry you are caught in our ugly evil system.

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  20. My husband is currently having some health problems, and our insurance company has severely restricted payments on his medical bills. What is this all about?! Your dear daughter. I hope you get the go ahead for treatment soon.

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  21. Don't know if I've ever introduced myself but I have been reading for a while. I am so upset for you and I wonder if you have approached the insurance people with legal threat? I have been thinking of one or two of my friends who are lawyers - though this isn't their specialty -- and wanting to contact them for you... do you think it would help? I am willing to beg my pals on your behalf if you think so...
    Please let us know how things are going. I am sending you a giant heap of supportive thoughts, and even more to your little girl.

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  22. Elizabeth and Sophie -

    I've been there. I get it. Is it something that medi-cal will cover? If so just go for it. Screw ABC. They will either have to cover it or deny it and then medi-cal will pick up. Also did ABC cover it before?

    We need to talk.

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  23. I'd be fucking mad too.

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  24. F!!! i cannot believe them!! it disgusts me to no end and i hate that you have to go through this while worrying about your daughter.

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