Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 I was rejected by the MDA as well. I wasn't one of the 40 they treat. No name, no help. They would continue to test I guess, but I am done with those test. They referred me to a rare disease doctor. Since 2000, I cannot get any other insurance without the same, high cost. Preexisting, sucks. So I must stay with the major medical only at a cost of $668 per month and no out patient services, only out of pocket services. So we are selective in what the doctors order and do as I pay for it, not some insurance company. These test are outrageously expensive and I have not seen where it is justified. $1200 for an EMG. I felt like I just paid for my own torture. When his billing department saw my insurance doesn't cover that, they gave me a 20% discount for paying cash. Gee how nice. We seem to have to wait till they give it some kind of name or something so I can qualify for Medicare. I got so frustrated, stressed, depressed (just a little) that I decided to he.. with them all. It's my life and I must make the best of it with what God has given me. I will or have already fallen into the crack of no return. There are so many in position. Someday though I hope that this gets better but realistically, I'm probably going to go down fighting cause nothing is easy in this world, not even this disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 When you must have a test, ask the doctor's office to accept the same fee as they get from an insurance company or Medicare. Why should an individual have to pay more than a multi-billion-dollar corporation? I did that when I had a nuclear stress test that wasn't covered. It took some arguing, but they did it and the cost difference was tremendous. Don't give up the fight. Edith > I was rejected by the MDA as well. I wasn't one of the 40 they treat. No > name, no help. They would continue to test I guess, but I am done with those test. > They referred me to a rare disease doctor. > > Since 2000, I cannot get any other insurance without the same, high cost. > Preexisting, sucks. So I must stay with the major medical only at a cost of $668 > per month and no out patient services, only out of pocket services. So we are > selective in what the doctors order and do as I pay for it, not some insurance > company. These test are outrageously expensive and I have not seen where it > is justified. $1200 for an EMG. I felt like I just paid for my own torture. > When his billing department saw my insurance doesn't cover that, they gave me a > 20% discount for paying cash. Gee how nice. > > We seem to have to wait till they give it some kind of name or something so I > can qualify for Medicare. I got so frustrated, stressed, depressed (just a > little) that I decided to he.. with them all. It's my life and I must make the > best of it with what God has given me. I will or have already fallen into the > crack of no return. There are so many in position. Someday though I hope that > this gets better but realistically, I'm probably going to go down fighting > cause nothing is easy in this world, not even this disease. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 Good advice on the insurance " angle " . On CNN yesterday they posted the costs for various treatments. These figures are not exact but maybe in the ballpark. An apendectomy with Medicare was like $4000 plus some, with insurance $10,000 plus, without insurance $15,000 plus. As I said, these are not correct figures but an example of the distortion they showed in the various treatments. It's idiotic! My best friend who in charge of the DA office here and very smart, had a bad car wreak. She was in hospital for weeks and then rehap. The insurance sent her a check for the hosp bill. She returned it and asked that her name also be added along with the hospitals. She settled with the hospital for less than they billed the ins. co. and she kept the rest. Never used a lawyer, said the difference she received more than made up for it. I have also noticed that a hospital will keep you longer if you have regular ins. than on medicare. Thanks, Edith, for your postings, they really help, especially for those of us still seeking answers. Arlene in Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 I get so much from the people on this list, I'm glad that I can share something that will help others. Edith > Good advice on the insurance " angle " . > On CNN yesterday they posted the costs for various treatments. These > figures are not exact but maybe in the ballpark. An apendectomy with > Medicare was like $4000 plus some, with insurance $10,000 plus, without > insurance $15,000 plus. As I said, these are not correct figures but an > example of the distortion they showed in the various treatments. It's > idiotic! > My best friend who in charge of the DA office here and very smart, had a > bad car wreak. She was in hospital for weeks and then rehap. The > insurance sent her a check for the hosp bill. She returned it and asked > that her name also be added along with the hospitals. She settled with > the hospital for less than they billed the ins. co. and she kept the > rest. Never used a lawyer, said the difference she received more than > made up for it. > I have also noticed that a hospital will keep you longer if you have > regular ins. than on medicare. > Thanks, Edith, for your postings, they really help, especially for those > of us still seeking answers. > > Arlene in Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 Dear Cookie, I am so behind on my e-mails. I think the PLS umbrella under the MDA grant is left up to the head Dr. of the clinic. I would ask him/her before you give up. Explain your situation!!! I cannot believe $2214 a month. Good luck with your emg!! I have been recently rediagnosed with ALS from our ALS/MDA clinic. I believe they know what they are doing. And I trust them for now!!! Good luck. Keep you in my prayers for the emg. MDA info > > Hi Friends...Not long ago I was complaining about my New York insurance company raising my monthy premium to $677. We now have moved to North Carolina and had to find a new insurance comapny. Down here the only one that will not reject you because of medical problems is Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina. Well after examining my health status, breast cancer, PLS, they want $2214 a MONTH. As a result we are self insured. > I was told by a MDA rep, that they would cover up to 4 visits per year, any testing, and up to $2000 per year on bracing...so I was able to get a visit a Duke University. My Duke neuro want's to rule out (once again) ALS, so I have to get a EMG/nerve conduction test. If my diagnosis remains PLS they don't pay...only ALS. I thought we all were under the umbrella of ALS. Anyone have a clue? (they are paying for my first visit, and my EMG, as I am under R/O ALS) Has anyone had experience with this? > Have a wonderful Sunday!!!! > Cookie from NC > **************************** > Man's way leads to a hopeless > end..God's way leads to an endless > hope. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.