Are your CF doctors bullied by insurance?

[anonymous]

I recently went in for my normal tune-up and although I wasn't "SICK" I did feel crappy and needed my IV's. Now my home health care blows like no other and quite honestly the nurses scare me. I have never had a problem staying in the hospital the full time, and had planned on that again. I also LOVE getting hand therapy 4 X day since I am not able to tolerate the vest and getting therapy at home isn't as productive.
As most of you probably do, I got all the same questions from the doctors(not my CF docs) about why I was there ect. Well when I said for my tune-up they looked at me like I had fish in my ears. They couldn't quite get the concept of preventative IV's. So after beefing up my symptoms a little so they wouldn't think I was there on vacation, one of them made the comment that I could go home on IV's in a couple days. No big deal.
Next day when the CF team came around I pointed out that I was fine to stay the whole time because I feel I benefit as much or more from the multiple PT as I do the IV's. My CF doc told me that the insurance companies are now telling them that they need to have "us" out ASAP or they will not cover the stay. OK, to me this seems totally unethical and just plain wrong. How can someone expect to get quality care while being ushered out the door? CF doc said they had several "tricks" to postpone discharge and they stood by their word and I ended up staying 12 days.
First of all, insurance isn't cheap. They should be glad I go for tune-ups because I could let myself get bad and they would have a month long visit on their hands. Second, it is pretty sad when you pay what you do and then have to fight them constantly over covering meds, stays, ect.

I was just PO'ed and needed to vent. Sorry for the long rant.

Eric 24/cf

 

[tessa55454]

that's really s***ty... I am sure it happens because my doc tries to go around in other issues, like meds, and other stupid things.

Again, I hate health insurance companies. They are like the SS army.

Tessa 27 w/cf

 

[anonymous]

It's funny. Because you all talk about going into the hospital. I have never been admitted to the hospital. Both times had to do IV 's at home. I have Healthplus through my job. I really thought I would be admitted this time because I had 2 midlines that were defective just days apart then I finally got a PICC line but still sent me home. I couldn't beleive it. I'm still on my meds with Homecare coming once a week. I don't feell much better. I think it's a crock that we don't go in for the first few days anyway because my CF hosp is 1 hour 1/2 a way. So I drove that 3x. in 2weeks. They should at least admit us until we see that the meds are working and the line is ok. I'm with you on the homehealth care. I had so many problems with them the first time I had IV's. This time hasn't been so bad because i know what to expect from my IV med. Becky

 

[anonymous]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>tessa55454</b></i>They are like the SS army.



Tessa 27 w/cf<hr></blockquote>

really? i don't think the two are really comparable...

 

[thefrogprincess]

Not to be on the side of insurance companies because I've had problems with them too, but home IVs are SO much cheaper than a hospital stay, that's why they want you to do it. Also if you're not "sick" just in need of a tune up than home can be better just because there are so many diseases floating around hospitals that you could catch.

Its great that the docs are on your side and if you do better in the hospital then thats what you should do, but you're always going to have a fight on your hands with the insurance company.

Isn't there another home health care place you can use?

 

[Emily65Roses]

Insurance companies piss me off. I've never had a problem with hospital stays because I leave the minute they let me. I hate staying. I'm always isolated, and I get bored and lonely. I prefer to do my IVs at home, so when they give me the green light, I'm running out the door. But I think it should definitely be a choice, and if you want to stay, you should be able to stay. I'm glad your docs used the proper loopholes and you got to stay as long as possible.

Froggie is right, it does cost a lot more. But it just makes me angry, because essentially they're telling you "Oh well we know a stay will improve your health, and it's what you want for yourself... but because of the cost, we'd rather just give you the MINIMAL care and kick you out." There's nothing really you can do about it, though. Except thank your doctors for using loopholes. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">