Insurance

Okay, ya'll I'm going to try to stay Christian and talk about insurance at the same time.

I'm thankful to have it, don't get me wrong, but it's driving me CRAZY lately.  From suddenly doubled deductibles to constant changes in medication restrictions, I just want to scream. 

Emily has been fairly stable lately as far as her seizures go, but she had to go on the brand name medication.  The generic for the pharmacy our insurance insists we use did not work.  She had 11 seizures the one week she was on it.  A month on the brand name med and she's doing great.  I was always in the "they're all the same" school of thought as far as meds go and saw no particular reason not to use the generic brands.  I still think that's basically true.  Never having needed to challenge the use of generics before, I didn't realize how difficult it is. 

I went to get her medicine refilled and because the price of the medicine went up by $20, it exceeds the amount covered, and therefore basically isn't covered (it's much more complicated than that, but again, I'm trying to stay sweet).  Twenty bucks is the difference between being well controlled on seizure meds and having to start over.  You know what stinks?   No one will take my $20.  I tried to pay the pharmacy, and both of Emily's insurance companies... they won't take my money.  It has to do with original price, blah, blah, blah.  It is very expensive, so I can see why they don't want to cover it, but I look at Emily's face and imagine her little brain out of control and I want to cry.  It's hard to sympathize with and insurance company when I see my girl.



Emily having an EEG


We have dealt repeatedly with frustrating insurance problems over the years.  This one just seems never ending.  Month after month we have to fight with them.  And in the middle of it is my daughter.

I want to get really mad and really mean.  I can't.  It's not the fault of whomever has the misfortune to pick up the phone when I call.  I can't get nuts.  I did let them know about the little girl who has the misfortune of a brain that misfires and causes seizures that make her sick behind the policy and hope the call is recorded.  I'm working on the appeals process and praying Emily does alright in the mean time.

These situations are not so much about faith as they are about attitude.  I have a responsiblitly to live what I believe.  It doesn't matter how "right" or "just" I am.  It doesn't matter how wrong they are.  Yes, I'm angry and frustrated, but that doesn't excuse poor behavior.  I complained about it on the phone with my husband and my friend--I'll work on that later :).  With the doctors and the insurance company I watch my tone and my words.  

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
keep themselves from calamity.  Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)