Diabetes Free

Got the labs back.  I am not even prediabetic which I realize is a good thing but doesn't bode well for the insurance approval.  Also had my pain specialist appointment with Doogie Howser.  Seriously, this guy looks like he's about 12 years old.  According to him, my weight has nothing to do with my issue and losing weight won't help which means his report won't help me either.  Looks like the sleep study is my last hope.  It's schedule for June 23rd.  Things are looking pretty bleak.  I can tell when I'm talking to my surgeon's office that with each one of these tests, my chances of approval are slipping away.  Might be going camping this weekend.  I've never been before but my husband has been itching to go.  Northern AZ has a no-burn policy in place right now so we're going to see if there's anywhere else we can go that's not too far.  To me, it's just not camping without a campfire and smores.  Hope y'all have a great weekend. 

Diabetes Test

Hey all!  OK...so I've got some stuff lined up.  I have my pain management appointment Wedsneday.  I'm going to try to get that doc to notate that my weight is causing the pain...we'll see how that goes.  Also, I'm supposed to go in for an Hemoglobin A1C test tomorrow as well.  They're hoping my levels will be high enough to make a case for diabetes.  Hoping to be diabetic?  Weird.  OK...so anyone know how to "fudge" this kind of test?  Can I drink a milkshake or something before I go in to raise the levels?  My sleep study is scheduled for July 3rd but there's a possibility that will get moved up.  I told them if anyone cancels, let me know even if it's during the week.  Feels good to be taking some proactive steps and my surgeon's office really does want to get me approved.  They're working very hard at it.  I have a strong family history of diabetes and heart disease so we're hoping that will help as well.  That's all the news for now.  Any advice on that hemoglobin test will be greatly appreciated.  I mean...it's a blood test so not sure if there's much I can do about that.  Again, thank you all for your amazing support and well wishes.  I really I hope I'll be able to join you Bandland soon.

Back Pain/Sleep Study

Sorry I've been MIA with the comments.  I have been following but have been too depressed to say much about anything.  Just thought I'd post a little update.  The peer to peer never took place.  They're trying to build a case and are having a hard time.  I'm one of those healthy fat people that didn't feel the need to go to a doctor about my back or joint pain because I knew the doc would be like "right...you're fat...lose weight and the pain will go away."  I also never went for my..ahem...urinary issues as I blamed childbirth for those.  So documentation of problems is scarce.  So my surgeon is going to set up a sleep study to determine if I have sleep apnea which I doubt but some very helpful bloggers have advised of a way to make it more likely.  Also, remember that tailbone issue I had awhile back?  Well, it still comes and goes but I never went to the pain specialist because, well...the idea of pain meds or a shot in the rear didn't sound all that appealing to me.  And, again, based on what some others have experienced, I really believe it's partially weight related and that if I could get these extra lbs off, the situation would RECTify itself (bad pun...I know).  Turns out this tailbone thing might be a good way to get approved.  So I made an appointment with the pain specialist Wednesday to see what can be done.  We'll see when we can schedule to the sleep study.  I REALLY wish I could afford to self pay as these insurance companies are going to be the death of me.  To add insult to injury, a RN from the insurance company called last week to "check in."  Supposedly, they do this from "time to time to remind you of your benefits and answer any health related questions you might have."  Funny, the only time they've called was after my babies were born.  Seriously?  You deny my request and then you're going to call to see if I have health related issues?!?!  What a load!  So this was the conversation:

Her: “we like to check in from time to time to remind you of your benefits and answer any health related questions you might have. I see you’re trying to get a surgery approved.”


Me: “Yes..y’all told me no.”

Her: “Did you get a letter or something?”

Me: “No. My surgeon’s office informed me of the denial and my doctor is supposed to have a peer to peer call with the medical director to see what can be done.

Her: “yes..I see that was requested. A lot of these conversations can often clarify for your doctor what other documentation may be required or for our medical director why the surgery is necessary.”

Me: “OK”

Her: “Along with the denial, your surgeon should have also received instructions on how to appeal so that’s another avenue you could go down.”

Me: “OK”

Her: “So is the expectation that you’ll be in contact with your doctor next week?”

Me: “I was told I’d hear something after the conversation to see what the next steps are.”

Her: “Good. It’s good that you’re staying involved with your doctor. I’ll check in with you next Friday to see how I might be able to assist at that point. I can facilitate conference calls between your doctor and our staff if necessary and just help coordinate the communication between all parties.”

Me: “OK”

Her: “Do you have any other general health questions or anything I could maybe help you with?”

Me: “No”

What an utter waste of my time.  Yeah...I have a question:  "Are you aware that you work for the devil?  You love collecting our premiums every freakin' paycheck but don't want to pay when we actually need you to you-piece-of-poop-insurance lady?!?!?!"  So I'm hoping she doesn't call back Friday as I'm not sure I can be so nice then.  Otherwise, it's another manic monday...wish it were sunday...that's my fun day...  (sigh).  Hope y'all are all doing well.