Re: placard./Jolynn

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

Deep breath! It is going to be okay. I'm sorry you are having so

many problems with Rand's office, but honestly, I have heard some

not so great things about LaGrone's office (though things may be

better now I don't know). My gyn's office staff is pathetic and I

have told him so. But he is a good and smart doctor. I've also run

into problems with my family doctor's staff.

Hugs,

Kathy

> >

> I think the State wants to know why you now need it, not why

> > you may need it in the future.

> > Best of luck -

> > ~CA ~

> >

> >

>

> I walk with a cane now, and am in pain now, I am in need of it

now. I

> have already hit some ones car with my cane because there is no

room

> to get it out of my car sometimes. Thankfully it did not do any

damage

> but I would still greatly benefit from and am entitled to the use

of

> the placard at this point in time.

>

> Jolynn

>

[Guest guest]

I expect problems but constistently making mistakes doesn't exactly

have me running to lay on the operating table. I understand mistakes

get made, they are human but their reaction to them is this " oh well

whatever " attitude that scares the bajeezes out a me. Especially

since they are careless mistakes. I have not seen one thing done

with out some gross error. It is quite frightening to think of what

can happen.

The hugs are appreciated I am PMSing big time over this. I really

want this surgery. I really want to stand up, but I am sure it will

be at way more of a cost than the loss of mobility in my lower back.

Jolynn

> > >

> > I think the State wants to know why you now need it, not why

> > > you may need it in the future.

> > > Best of luck -

> > > ~CA ~

> > >

> > >

> >

> > I walk with a cane now, and am in pain now, I am in need of it

> now. I

> > have already hit some ones car with my cane because there is no

> room

> > to get it out of my car sometimes. Thankfully it did not do any

> damage

> > but I would still greatly benefit from and am entitled to the

use

> of

> > the placard at this point in time.

> >

> > Jolynn

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jolynn, Dr. Boachie's staff doesn't have to deal with the headaches of

insurance claims, so maybe they are able to be more efficient. Second

opinions are always advisable for surgery of this magnitude, anyway.

I do relate to your frustration. I've seen my share of boners from that

office. They have made mistakes that have cost me time, and now it may end

up being a race to get this thing over with during a time when my sister can

come to help out. But I will gladly put up with a few administrative errors

to have meticulous work done by a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and caring

surgeon. One thing I have yet to hear about is a serious error in Rand's

OR.

I know you didn't get off to a great start with Priscilla, and maybe you

should tactfully express your concerns to Dr. Rand on your next office

visit. It's your call. There are other highly qualified surgeons you might

want to consider.

Sharon

[ ] Re: placard./Jolynn

I expect problems but constistently making mistakes doesn't exactly

have me running to lay on the operating table. I understand mistakes

get made, they are human but their reaction to them is this " oh well

whatever " attitude that scares the bajeezes out a me. Especially

since they are careless mistakes. I have not seen one thing done

with out some gross error. It is quite frightening to think of what

can happen.

The hugs are appreciated I am PMSing big time over this. I really

want this surgery. I really want to stand up, but I am sure it will

be at way more of a cost than the loss of mobility in my lower back.

Jolynn

> > >

> > I think the State wants to know why you now need it, not why

> > > you may need it in the future.

> > > Best of luck -

> > > ~CA ~

> > >

> > >

> >

> > I walk with a cane now, and am in pain now, I am in need of it

> now. I

> > have already hit some ones car with my cane because there is no

> room

> > to get it out of my car sometimes. Thankfully it did not do any

> damage

> > but I would still greatly benefit from and am entitled to the

use

> of

> > the placard at this point in time.

> >

> > Jolynn

> >

>

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

You are right...you definitly should go into this surgery with

complete confidence with your decision.

From what you have shared on this topic I am not sure though that

what you are calling office " screw ups " are all attributable to the

office. The DMV placard thing seems to relate more to a change in

the MA DMV regs (or their new interpretation) of them. I know you

are far from the first person they have filled out the paperwork

for...so it seems a little unfair to lay that on them.

On the insurance...I don't know exactly what problems you had...but

through all my revision I never had any problems at all. The few

reimbursements that I had to deal with were through NEBH (who were

very good to talk to as well)...and some how either Priscilla or

NEBH staff wrangled the stay at Jordan rehab for me because BC/BS

didn't want to pay. I never had any contact with anyone from DrRands

billling service...they are out of house.

Of course each situation is different, and you should carefully

consider your decision, I would say just make sure you are using

your logical head as well as your emotional one...then listen to

your intuition.

Relax...the right answer will come. Cam

[Guest guest]

I am looking into Dr Boachie on Monday.

I am going to call Monday to request another appointment with Dr.

Rand to ask some more questions about the surgery. At this point my

next appointment with Dr. Rand is in the operating room so I don't

think I will be in any condition to talk. Unless he will be there

for the pre-screening, which I don't think he will.

DH told me to get any prescriptions from DR Rand directly and not

let them be called in by any of his staff. He wanted me to call and

make sure that the administrative staff is not responsible for

anything other than scheduling and billing. He feels like I should

be OK as long as they are not directly involved with anything

regarding my care.

Hopefully another talk with Dr. Rand will renew my confidence and

give me a chance to ask a few more questions about the surgery.

Jolynn

>

> Jolynn, Dr. Boachie's staff doesn't have to deal with the

headaches of

> insurance claims, so maybe they are able to be more efficient.

Second

> opinions are always advisable for surgery of this magnitude,

anyway.

>

> I do relate to your frustration. I've seen my share of boners

from that

> office. They have made mistakes that have cost me time, and now

it may end

> up being a race to get this thing over with during a time when my

sister can

> come to help out. But I will gladly put up with a few

administrative errors

> to have meticulous work done by a highly skilled, knowledgeable,

and caring

> surgeon. One thing I have yet to hear about is a serious error in

Rand's

> OR.

>

> I know you didn't get off to a great start with Priscilla, and

maybe you

> should tactfully express your concerns to Dr. Rand on your next

office

> visit. It's your call. There are other highly qualified surgeons

you might

> want to consider.

>

> Sharon

>

[Guest guest]

>

I know you

> are far from the first person they have filled out the paperwork

> for...so it seems a little unfair to lay that on them.

>

Scoliosis is not the reason I am having surgery or the reason I walk

with a cane. I bet when they filled out the forms for my insurance

they did not just put scoliosis.

The reluctance to rectify anything efficiently or with out acting put

out is what bothers me more than the mistakes.

Jolynn

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

Dr Boachie is a great surgeon and if you get in to see him you will

no doubt like him very much. They are messages from an old message

board so you probably wouldn't have seen them, but after seeing

DrBoachie I commented that I could see the difference between an

organization that doesn't accept insurance and one that does. It

seemed clear to me that Boachie was working with more " resources " in

the administrative department.

That said, when I considered what it would be like going into this

big surgery and having to deal with bills/insurance company on the

back side(no pun intended)..I decided that there were not enough

reasons to compel me to deal with it.

I recall that if I wanted I could have made an appointment with

DrRand at the same time of my prescreening....you are right that the

day of surgery is a little late for questions.

After discharge from surgery I was given a hard copy of my

prescriptions to fill. (In fact it was somewhat problematic because

they wanted to discharge me without any Endocet for the 6-7 hours

trip home.) I guess since there is no refill on these drugs I could

have just had my husband fill them in Boston. Anyway, I was given to

understand that with " controlled substances " that they are not

refillable, so when Priscilla would call to see how I was doing she

would find out how close I was to needing a refill and mail one to

me when needed.

I hope you get the answers you seek.

Cam

[Guest guest]

I really don't have much of a choice.

The only reason we are still here is this stupid surgery. We have

a strong dislike for New England (terrible weather) and in the 6

years we have been here we have yet to see the appeal.

I have to have the surgery this summer or wait until next year and I

just don't think I could do that to my family or myself. I also

can't run the risk of aortic enlargement and wait another year.

But on the other hand, if I have to spend all this time correcting

administrative mistakes then wouldn't it be easier to just submit my

own claims and deal with what seems to be an administrative office

that cares about the patients. With that being the only positive to

switching DRs and it get canceled out by the fact I would have to

travel.....

I have 13 appointments in the next 6 weeks(not including anything to

do with the surgery) because I have to get set for the rest of the

year and I have to go through all of these other things like and

Echo and a cardiology appointment to name a few before I can have

the surgery.

DH says I should just not bother with Dr. Boachie. Dr. Rand was my

second oppinion. I am not questioning which DR is better. I just

can't help, but think I have to deal with a consistant bad attitude

from the administrative personel who is suppose to some how assist

me.

Of all the things to be dreading in this situation, talking to and

depending on the person who is suppose to be a liazon between me and

the DR and them showing me that they could careless about that,

should not be one of them. THis really does bother me. Everyone

hates to be an imposition and I am made to feel that way every time

I talk to Priscilla. I won't be answering the phone when she calls.

I refuse to do that to myself while recovering. DH will call from

work and make arrangements to pick up a prescription if needed.

Jolynn

[Guest guest]

Jolynn, when I said what I did about a second opinion, I meant a second

opinion from someone who is highly experienced in flatback revision surgery.

Maybe you have already gotten two such opinions, but I was under the

impression that you were referred to Dr. Rand by an orthopedic surgeon who

knew enough not to try to handle a case like yours. To me, that would count

as help from refreshingly honest and humble orthopedist, but not as a first

surgical opinion. Of course it's totally up to you whether or not you seek

any additional opinions. I myself am so comfortable with Rand that if I

seek a second opinion it will be mainly so I can say I did it.

You're under an incredible amount of stress right now, and that can tend to

color your attitudes toward people, which can make it just about impossible

to " catch more flies with honey... " , as it were. It doesn't always work,

but in general if you give people the benefit of the doubt and treat them as

if they are on your side, they will be.

Sharon

[ ] Re: placard./Jolynn

I really don't have much of a choice.

The only reason we are still here is this stupid surgery. We have

a strong dislike for New England (terrible weather) and in the 6

years we have been here we have yet to see the appeal.

I have to have the surgery this summer or wait until next year and I

just don't think I could do that to my family or myself. I also

can't run the risk of aortic enlargement and wait another year.

But on the other hand, if I have to spend all this time correcting

administrative mistakes then wouldn't it be easier to just submit my

own claims and deal with what seems to be an administrative office

that cares about the patients. With that being the only positive to

switching DRs and it get canceled out by the fact I would have to

travel.....

I have 13 appointments in the next 6 weeks(not including anything to

do with the surgery) because I have to get set for the rest of the

year and I have to go through all of these other things like and

Echo and a cardiology appointment to name a few before I can have

the surgery.

DH says I should just not bother with Dr. Boachie. Dr. Rand was my

second oppinion. I am not questioning which DR is better. I just

can't help, but think I have to deal with a consistant bad attitude

from the administrative personel who is suppose to some how assist

me.

Of all the things to be dreading in this situation, talking to and

depending on the person who is suppose to be a liazon between me and

the DR and them showing me that they could careless about that,

should not be one of them. THis really does bother me. Everyone

hates to be an imposition and I am made to feel that way every time

I talk to Priscilla. I won't be answering the phone when she calls.

I refuse to do that to myself while recovering. DH will call from

work and make arrangements to pick up a prescription if needed.

Jolynn

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

Dear Jolynn,

I'm so sorry you are going through so much so close to surgery, these

proceedural problems can mount up, making everything so negative. Difficult

office staff can really compound things, and color the whole process. Dr.

Kumar's first assistant wasn't the best at getting all approvals and I had

to check-up to make sure everything was in line and all the " T " s were

crossed while having my first surgery with him. That alone can be

exhausting, and mentally tiring. Thank goodness he replaced her after my

first surgery, and he got Lee Sherry, who is wonderful at handling all the

details, and my two revisions went very smoothly paperwork wise.

Is it possible for you to get a temporary placard for surgery till you

resolve your issues at the DMV. Following surgery you will be using aides to

get around, not being able to drive yourself and on major painkillers. Our

state has temporary ones, for up to six months, and permanent ones. I had

zero trouble getting a permanent one, though I no longer use it, since I can

walk well following revision. Maybe try calling an advocate for the disabled

in your state, they may have good suggestions on how to handle your DMV

problems, I'm sure they have seen whats going on with you since they seem to

have a crackdown going on with placard approvals.

My only suggestion with Rand's office staff is to kill them with kindness.

Send cards, even if it makes you choke, and thank them in advance for

working on your issues. I send a card for everything I need done, thank them

in advance for their kindness in dealing with all the things I needed done.

While everyone should have an assistant who is a doll like Lee, a lot don't,

and unforunately you'll have to work with them, since they are your lifeline

to your doc. Also since I'm close to Lee, I do a lot of work for the office

speaking to patients about surgery, I know what kind of pressures they are

under. Know that more than half of the people they deal with are difficult,

and it's understandable, they are in pain, facing major surgery, and dealing

with all the mountains of paperwork that medicine today sends their way. And

when all you do all day is deal with people who are in pain, who are on

edge, it can unfortunately color how you handle them. Pricilla maybe just

handles it wrong, is overworked and stressed herself. While no one should be

treated by office staff like you have, I can see how it happens. Maybe you

can turn this around for yourself by being the kind one in this situation,

it's hard to be unkind to someone who is very kind to you. I have used this

technique in my own life, with difficult teachers my kids had, doc's, office

staff, and with mostly good results.

You need to get yourself in a good place to be ready for surgery, you sound

so upset that I worry about you. Getting ready for this surgery can become

a fulltime job. I have the benefit of hindsight since I'm three years past

it, but believe it or not, it's doable to get through it. Many here have had

very successful surgeries with Dr. Rand, and have gotten through difficult

times with his assistant. Many here have delt with her just fine, I hope

they chime in. Dealing with a difficult person right now just has so many

challenges cause you are going through something really big in your life.

Give my idea a try, all it will do is cost you a card, and it will give you

the peace of knowing you have tried to help the problem. Then if it doesn't

work, speak to Rand himself, or go elsewhere for surgery.

[ ] Re: placard./Jolynn

I really don't have much of a choice.

The only reason we are still here is this stupid surgery. We have

a strong dislike for New England (terrible weather) and in the 6

years we have been here we have yet to see the appeal.

I have to have the surgery this summer or wait until next year and I

just don't think I could do that to my family or myself. I also

can't run the risk of aortic enlargement and wait another year.

But on the other hand, if I have to spend all this time correcting

administrative mistakes then wouldn't it be easier to just submit my

own claims and deal with what seems to be an administrative office

that cares about the patients. With that being the only positive to

switching DRs and it get canceled out by the fact I would have to

travel.....

I have 13 appointments in the next 6 weeks(not including anything to

do with the surgery) because I have to get set for the rest of the

year and I have to go through all of these other things like and

Echo and a cardiology appointment to name a few before I can have

the surgery.

DH says I should just not bother with Dr. Boachie. Dr. Rand was my

second oppinion. I am not questioning which DR is better. I just

can't help, but think I have to deal with a consistant bad attitude

from the administrative personel who is suppose to some how assist

me.

Of all the things to be dreading in this situation, talking to and

depending on the person who is suppose to be a liazon between me and

the DR and them showing me that they could careless about that,

should not be one of them. THis really does bother me. Everyone

hates to be an imposition and I am made to feel that way every time

I talk to Priscilla. I won't be answering the phone when she calls.

I refuse to do that to myself while recovering. DH will call from

work and make arrangements to pick up a prescription if needed.

Jolynn

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear Jolynn,

>

> I'm so sorry you are going through so much so close to surgery,

these

> proceedural problems can mount up, making everything so negative.

Difficult

> office staff can really compound things, and color the whole

process. Dr.

> Kumar's first assistant wasn't the best at getting all approvals

and I had

> to check-up to make sure everything was in line and all the " T " s

were

> crossed while having my first surgery with him.

I have only had one appointment and the whole refferal was handled

great by my PCP but again the ball was dropped by DR Rand's office.

I spent the time getting them a copy (because it is all done

electronicly and I had to convince my PCP to reprint and mail it)

and them taking 2 days to tell me they had it. They ended up losing

it at my appointment. Even my PCP people told me they were terrible

to deal with. They tried to call and explain that all refferals are

done electronicly with BCBS. I know it is not just me . I hope to be

blinded by the best recovery ever to all the issues there too.

>

> Is it possible for you to get a temporary placard for surgery till

you

> resolve your issues at the DMV. Following surgery you will be

using aides to

> get around, not being able to drive yourself and on major

painkillers. Our

> state has temporary ones, for up to six months, and permanent

ones. I had

> zero trouble getting a permanent one, though I no longer use it,

since I can

> walk well following revision. Maybe try calling an advocate for

the disabled

> in your state, they may have good suggestions on how to handle

your DMV

> problems, I'm sure they have seen whats going on with you since

they seem to

> have a crackdown going on with placard approvals.

>

No I can't get a temp. The RMV said they have never accepted

Scoliosis as a diagnosis for needing a placard. The dissability

asscoiation said they were getting stricter , but the RMV said it

has always been that way. To appeal it would be 14-18 months and

with no accurate DR's note there is no reason to appeal anyway.

> My only suggestion with Rand's office staff is to kill them with

kindness.

>

>

Upto this point I have been sickingly sweet and it doesn't work.

While I am all for fibbing in this situation if I thought it would

do anything, due to having a 9 year old still in the throws of

recovery from chest surgery last month. I can't drag her around to

all these errands when I can barely get things done myself. DH is

soooo busy at work after getting promoted and taking a week off to

be with our daughter in the hospital. Just getting the laundry and

grocery shopping done is a hassle. Heck I feel like I have pampered

my self if I take a shower. I already have someone helping to clean

the house.

To make matters worse a guy hit my car in the parking lot yesterday

and now I have to get that fixed. And yes I was nice I did not get

mad it was an accident and life goes on. I also homeschool and have

alot of other things going on. I would have to sacrifice being able

to vent online and right now I need the therapy that offers to keep

myself sane. Between DRs appoinments for the kids and myself it just

makes me sick (literally, I threw up yesterday) from the stress of

this. I am sure that I would be stressed if I were treated like a

person but I don't think I would be throwing up.

I think the only way to move on from this is avoidance and spending

as little time as possible in any contact with someone like that. I

will be very short and to the point so I will not be so exposed to

IT. I have already accepted that I won't be getting a placard. I

have already accepted that I have to have this surgery and if

history proves it self the giant billing issues bound to follow.

Now DH and I are just tring to figure out a way to make sure these

mistakes won't kill me via the wrong medication. Thanks for the

suggestion I am going to make an appointment with Dr.Rand one more

time prior to surgery becasue I do have a lot of questions.

Jolynn