Guaranteed Healthcare

After a prolapse surgery, further gyno plastic surgery was recommended. I said no. It took almost 2 years to get a diagnosis code, going from gyno to gyno and back to Aetna for referrals, to find a doctor willing to try to treat me with a medical device.(Once a clerk even e mailed websites for me to shop and order my own! Without an RX!)Ten months later, I still have not been able to get reimbursement for the $145 device. (Now cured)Point: uninformed clerks were making medical decisions.

Another family story: My nephew was born 22 years ago with a fused skull. His surgery was successful. When my state-employed brother's insurance changed their provider during the child's teen years, the condition was deemed "pre existing". They were unable to fight it and gave up. My nephew did not receive the final palate surgery as it was $50 K +. At 22, it is obvious that there is something very "different" about him. I pray it does not effect his career/life to have a facial deformity. NOTE: At about the time he was NOT receiving the final surgery, the very hospital and surgeon were donating their services to an infant from a Hispanic neighboring country with the same syndrome. Lots of fan fare and publicity about the generosity of our system.

Have a friend with triple heart bypass, diabetes, Parkinson's, rheum.arthritis, one third partial blockage on left side. Was self employed and had insurance thru a group. It was finally cancelled by her because the premiums were close to $1K per month and copays were about that too! Now, when she is near death, the ER admits her and pays a gazillion dollars to nurse her back to "wellness". Last month, she sat in the ER for hours with chest pain. They refused to let her see a dr. until she left (had an IV and Oxygen, sitting in a hard chair in the hall) They didn't want to admit her. period. she just gave up and prayed it would pass. She is un employable, but does not qualify for disability. She can still drive and talk on the phone. :( Welcome to the land of the free.