Insurance update

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/21/2004 10:02:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

lisak70@... writes:

We still haven't heard

from Medicaid, but because Medicaid has changed their policy regarding how

CI authorizations are done, you are now required to speak to a supervisor

about each case before approval is granted.

That how my state do it now,,, they started that practice about the same

time my pre-authorzation was put on " hold " . Before that they did pretty much

approved them all (if not all, most)... The joy of Medicaid,, huh?? I still

think it is worth the wait!

Lee

[Guest guest]

>>The joy of Medicaid,, huh?? I still think it is worth the wait!<<

Lee,

You got that right!! LOL! Good old beurocratic red tape. <grin> Actually, I

can't complain *too* much about Medicaid because if it weren't for them, I

wouldn't have hearing aids. They paid for my Oticon 380P BTEs back in 1990

(which are still working perfectly to this day believe it or not) and my

digital Oticon DigiFocus II super power BTEs in 2001. From what I

understand, Medicaid (at least here in Wisconsin) provides hearing aids to

those who qualify under their guidelines every 3-4 years. When my audi

explained all of the loopholes I had to get through in order to receive my

aids, I couldn't believe it. Fortunately it didn't take long for them to be

approved. I think it only took about a month or a month and a half. Not bad

for a government agency! LOL! Let's hope my CI approval doesn't take long

either.

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

,

So sorry you are encountering another CI hurdle and to hear about your Mom,

but glad she will witness your CI experience and be with you for the

holidays.

Insurance Update

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just received an e-mail update from my audi today. We still haven't

heard

> from Medicaid, but because Medicaid has changed their policy regarding how

> CI authorizations are done, you are now required to speak to a supervisor

> about each case before approval is granted. I was told that the insurance

> specialist at my CI center will be speaking with a supervisor soon.

>

> As you know, this period of time has been a very tense period for me. I

> don't think those of you on the Hearing_Aids list know this, but my mother

> was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer a week ago and will be

> starting chemotherapy treatment next week. She's very excited about my CI

> surgery and has asked me alot of questions about when it will be, when my

> activation will be, etc. etc. I'm doing a pretty good job of being patient

> but I know it's even harder for my mother.

>

> I called my audi a couple days ago to ask if I could be given a tentative

> surgery date but was told that we need to wait for insurance approval to

go

> through. My audi was very understanding about my mother's situation and if

> she could have given me a date, I know she would have.

>

> My mother had an appointment with her oncologist yesterday. Good news!!

She

> will definitely be with us for Christmas, so if my surgery and/or

activation

> dates are scheduled before or around that time, that will be a wonderful

> gift for us both!!

>

> Please continue to keep my mother in your prayers. Thank you all for your

> good wishes!! <smiles and hugs>

>

>

> CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Alice,

Thank you. To be honest, between waiting for insurance approval and coping

with my mother's illness, all of this is wearing on my patience slowly but

surely. Sometimes it feels like it will be an eternity before I get my CI.

<sigh> At the same time, I keep telling myself that I *can't* give up

because if I do, I won't have the patience to go through this again.

My audi's e-mail gave me some hope today. The insurance specialist from my

CI center will speak to a Medicaid supervisor and get back to us soon. I

hope so because I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Sometimes it's hard to believe I started this whole process back in June.

All I want to do is to hear again. Why does it feel like I'm asking for a

miracle? Why does it have to be *so* hard? I just don't understand. <sigh>

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

,

Sit down and enjoy a nice truffle mocha. Maybe two if your mom

likes them. Then take a few deep breaths. No no no., Not with your

mouth full, that is asking for trouble. (give me that braile note

with gps for safe keeping tho) Feel better? Good. There are more

mochas waiting....here in Oregon. LOL

Seriously, you just stick with your mom and the two of you can

support each other thru it all. And dream of a Merry Christmas that

you will hear.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Ballerinas are always on their toes. Why don't they just get taller

ballerinas?

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

,

There's an old saying that " Good things come to those who wait " so I hope you

can remember this during these difficult days. I know that this waiting is hard

but one way to look at it is that it's pretty certain that the longest part of

the waiting is behind you. I'm sending postive vibes to you that on Monday,

you'll have some decent answers and maybe even the approval so you can set up

that date.

I saw something yesterday that really touched me and think it's a good time to

share it here. It was on a poster for cochlear implants and it said " The

Cochlear Implant is not a miracle. It makes miracles happen. " You will soon

experience miracles happening, . I'm sure of it. Hang in there just a

little longer. We're always here and if you feel the urge to vent - go for it.

Alice

>

> Sometimes it's hard to believe I started this whole process ack in June.

> All I want to do is to hear again. Why does it feel like I'm asking for a

> miracle? Why does it have to be *so* hard? I just don't understand. <sigh>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Alice and ,

I'm feeling much better this morning and will *not* give up. <smile> This

morning my mother asked me if I was okay because she " sensed " something was

bothering me. I told her about the frustration I felt yesterday. She gave me

a hug and said, " , we're going to get through this together. You're

going to get your CI and I'm going to get through this cancer. " She then

signed " ILY " -- which shocked me and almost brought me to tears. When I

asked her where she learned that sign, she told me that when I was very

young, she took care of two deaf children. She knew some basic signs like

" food, " " eat, " " help, " " doctor, " " sleep, " etc. and I didn't even know

*that*. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from someone I've been communicating with

from another list. What they wrote still sticks in my mind: " Sometimes we

are so close to getting what we want that we don't realize that it's just

around the corner. " I never thought of my CI journey that way, but when I

do, it helps put a whole new perspective on it!

You're right Alice. Good things *do* come to those who wait. I have a

feeling next week will bring the good news I've been waiting for. <smile>

, the mocha was delicious as always -- thank you. The next time I have

mocha, I'll try not to inhale before I've already swallowed my coffee. LOL!

The next time I'm headed to Oregon, I'd love to get together to meet you and

Gimlet. (If your secretary can fit me in, consider it done. <smile>.) I'll

even let you use my BrailleNote GPS while I'm there.

Hugs!

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

,

Good, am happy to know that. Keep teaching your mom sign, that

could give you both an even stronger tie.

" Its just around the corner. " Ouch! You shoulda told me sooner!

, dont worry, my secretary has orders to fit you in no matter

what my schedule is. I told Gimmie I have to get my hands on that BN

and GPS. LOLOL

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

No keyboard, press F1 to continue.

--Anonymous

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

,

My mother and I worked on more signs yesterday afternoon. She's having a

blast! I taught her some of the signs her and I might use around the house

and she jokingly said, " This is great! Now I won't have to repeat myself a

dozen times in order to be heard. " LOL!

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/26/2004 11:56:16 AM Alaskan Daylight Time,

lisak70@... writes:

> I was told that if my case is denied, I (and my CI

> center) will receive a letter from Medicaid. If I'm approved, my CI center

> will receive a letter and will contact me accordingly.

I can't understand in a million years how anyone could think of denying your

case, .. if they do I hope you will get a lawyer!

Pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/26/2004 12:53:43 PM Alaskan Daylight Time,

lisak70@... writes:

> You bet I'll get a lawyer! Actually, my audi and surgeon both said they

> don't see any reason my case should be denied. I hope they're right! (Trying

> to remain cautiously optimistic here. LOL!)

I certainly agree! You set your mind on it and it WILL happen!

Pam

[Guest guest]

Well, ,

Here's my 2 cents', for what they are worth: It wouldn't hurt to

enlist your allies (the audilogist, the ENT) to advocate your case.

Yes, " rush " it!

Chris

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 13:50:55 -0500, Kozlik <lisak70@...> wrote:

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just got off the phone with Medicaid to ask them about my case. I was told

> that my case is currently pending and that it can take up to 20 days for

> approval or denial. 14 days have already passed so at the very most, I

> should hear something within the next 6-7 days.

>

> To my surprise, I learned that a " rush " could be placed on my case to

> expedite the process. To do this, my audi or surgeon would need to contact

> Medicaid. I'm a little confused by this because I was told (by my audi) that

> one needs to speak to a supervisor because of the rule changes regarding CI

> approvals. I'm also wondering why my case wasn't put on rush status to begin

> with considering how long I've had to wait throughout this whole process.

>

> What should I do? Should I ask my audi to put a rush on my application or

> " wait it out " ?

>

>

> CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I agree with Chris. The squeaky wheel gets the oil as they say. Do you think

they would do this for you? You can tell them exactly what you were told.

Alice

> Well, ,

>

> Here's my 2 cents', for what they are worth:  It wouldn't hurt to

> enlist your allies (the audilogist, the ENT) to advocate your case.

> Yes, " rush " it!

>

> Chris

>

>

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I just got off the phone with Medicaid to ask them about my case. I was

told

> > that my case is currently pending and that it can take up to 20 days for

> > approval or denial. 14 days have already passed so at the very most, I

> > should hear something within the next 6-7 days.

> >

> > To my surprise, I learned that a " rush " could be placed on my case to

> > expedite the process. To do this, my audi or surgeon would need to

contact

> > Medicaid. I'm a little confused by this because I was told (by my audi)

that

> > one needs to speak to a supervisor because of the rule changes regarding

CI

> > approvals. I'm also wondering why my case wasn't put on rush status to

begin

> > with considering how long I've had to wait throughout this whole

process.

> >

> > What should I do? Should I ask my audi to put a rush on my application

or

> > " wait it out " ?

> >

> >

> > CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Alice, et. al,

I sent my audi an e-mail to inform her of what I was told by Medicaid. In a

P.S., I said that a rush could be put on my case and whom to contact if she

wished to do this. I think I'm going to leave things alone and wait for my

audi's response. If she decides to put a rush on my case, great!! If not,

I'll wait out the next week or so to see what happens. I'll also be keeping

a close eye on the mail. I was told that if my case is denied, I (and my CI

center) will receive a letter from Medicaid. If I'm approved, my CI center

will receive a letter and will contact me accordingly.

Hopefully I will hear back from my audi tomorrow. I'll let you know what she

suggests or if I learn anything new about my case.

I'm feeling pretty good at the moment!! My paperwork hasn't been lost (proof

in itself that miracles *do* happen - LOL!) and if all goes well, I should

have a decision one way or the other within the next week or two!!

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

Sometime the insurance may denied you ci the first or even the second time. The

CI team will fight for you and eventually you will have you CI.

Keep on fighting and keep your faith!

WE are all praying that you get what you need.

============================================================

From: plsav42@...

Date: 2004/10/26 Tue AM 09:09:56 GMT-11:00

Subject: Re: Insurance Update

============================================================

[Guest guest]

,

Forgive my bluntness, but please *please* do not tell me this!!! That's not

what I need to hear right now!!!! This whole process has been so damn slow,

it's not even funny!!!! My mother who doesn't even know how much longer she

has to live is very much looking forward to my surgery and activation date.

If she finds out that my case has been denied a first or second time, it's

going to break her heart -- not to mention mine.

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

I can't understand in a million years how anyone could think of denying your

case, .. if they do I hope you will get a lawyer!

Pam,

You bet I'll get a lawyer! Actually, my audi and surgeon both said they

don't see any reason my case should be denied. I hope they're right! (Trying

to remain cautiously optimistic here. LOL!)

CI candidate (just about stir crazy) awaiting insurance approval and surgery

date

[Guest guest]

, my thoughts are with you. I'm doing a very special " rain dance "

to the CI spirits to make it rain CIs for you... booola booola hoola!

no longer itching

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 15:39:58 -0500, Kozlik <lisak70@...> wrote:

>

> ,

>

> Forgive my bluntness, but please *please* do not tell me this!!! That's not

> what I need to hear right now!!!! This whole process has been so damn slow,

> it's not even funny!!!! My mother who doesn't even know how much longer she

> has to live is very much looking forward to my surgery and activation date.

> If she finds out that my case has been denied a first or second time, it's

> going to break her heart -- not to mention mine.

>

>

>

>

> CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry .

I will take it all back... It is a big lie... None of it true. You are going to

be approved and ready to go.

Divad

============================================================

From: " Kozlik " <lisak70@...>

Date: 2004/10/26 Tue AM 09:39:58 GMT-11:00

< >

Subject: Re: Re: Insurance Update

============================================================

[Guest guest]

Alice,

The vibes you are sending is doing wonders for me! I'm feeling very

optimistic and can't believe I'm sooo close to the finish line. Thanks to

you and everyone on the list for your support!! Without it, I don't think I

would have been able to get through this whole process!!

Hugs!

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

,

From your lips to God's ears! <smile> I'm sorry I sounded so angry in my

last e-mail. With all of the things that have been happening in my life

lately, I think the stress is finally getting to me. You and I have

communicated by e-mail before and I really do appreciate all the support,

humor and encouragement you've shared with me. Thank you!!

P.S. I'm happy to hear that you've submitted your application for an

evaluation -- good luck!!

Hugs!

CI candidate (just about stir crazy) awaiting insurance approval and surgery

date

[Guest guest]

Thanks Chris!! Keep on doing that rain dance. The sooner it starts to rain,

the better!! <grin>

CI candidate (just about stir crazy) awaiting insurance approval and surgery

date

[Guest guest]

I am praying that you get your approval as soon as possible so you and your

mother can enjoy the experience that you WILL have with your CI.

C Pearson

-- Re: Re: Insurance Update

,

From your lips to God's ears! <smile> I'm sorry I sounded so angry in my

last e-mail. With all of the things that have been happening in my life

lately, I think the stress is finally getting to me. You and I have

communicated by e-mail before and I really do appreciate all the support,

humor and encouragement you've shared with me. Thank you!!

P.S. I'm happy to hear that you've submitted your application for an

evaluation -- good luck!!

Hugs!

CI candidate (just about stir crazy) awaiting insurance approval and surgery

date

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for your good wishes!! <hugs>

CI candidate awaiting insurance approval and surgery date

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/26/2004 11:09:22 PM Alaskan Daylight Time,

TazLovesTweety99@... writes:

> Pam... I ve been waiting nearly 2 years for my CI.. I was denied for one

> last year. due to the fact that they never had research on prelingual deaf

> getting ci's.

>

Hopefully that argument won't hold water much longer since it appears that

more and more prelingual deaf are getting ci's and benefitting from them.

Pam