[Cancer]
[cancer] A minor note in the symphony of dread
I have learned that my case goes before the Tumor Board tomorrow. What an evocative name, “Tumor Board”. Me, I’m bored with tumors. I’d like another hobby, please.
What that really means is that the surgical and medical oncology departments meet jointly to review difficult or questionable cases. Given the scan ambiguity around Ashcroft, my fourth tumor, they’re going to seek some groupthink. I should hear back from my medical oncologist Thursday afternoon or Friday with any updates that come out of that meeting. Pending a need for a referral to another doctor, or something else urgent, my pre-operative consultation a week from today with my surgical oncologist is still on tap.
Meanwhile, there have been a ton of phone calls between me and various insurance companies. Among other gems, I’ve discovered that in order to review the terms of my private (i.e., not employer-sponsored) disability policy with Mass Mutual, I have to fill out a form and pay $25. I find this both annoying and unethical to be charged for a copy of a policy I’ve been paying premiums against for years, and that I never had a copy of in the first place as it’s an extension of an employer-sponsored benefit from a long-ago job, but I do not have the time or energy to fight over the $25. All that aside, why does it cost $25 to mail me an existing, standardized document?
Even with relatively good health insurance, which I do have (by American standards), being ill is a business of endless incremental costs and administrative hassles. It’s like being pecked to death by feral potatoes.
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Posted: 6:32 am Wed January 09 2013 |
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Comments
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“Pecked to death by feral potatoes” is a wonderfully evocative description of something that is dreadful. I’m so sorry this continues, Jay. Many hugs to you.
“Feral Potatoes” may have to be the name of my next rock band…
I whilst i applaud the high level of medical care received in the States I deplore the route one must take to get there !
Good luck with the latest round of wait and sees
see, I was going to tweet that, but wanted to leave you the first option…
If the cancer doesn’t get you, the fucking paperwork will. Unbelievable.
Insurance companies are infuriating! Nobody should have to deal with all those hassles and extra expenses. Best wishes to you, sir!
Love the feral potatoes analogy. FYI, I work for an insurance company and have both managed claims and been on LTD myself, so if you need any info let me know.
It’s a convenience fee – if it’s in any way convenient for you for them to do something, they have to balance that out by making you pay.
Feral potatoes, the eyes are upon you.
The feral potatoes comment made me think of the comic Digger and wonder what she would have to say about the inefficiency of our medical insurance system.
[...] “It’s like being pecked to death by feral potatoes.” [...]
[...] Jay Lake has aggressive cancer, and he needs help paying the many bills insurance won’t cover. Here’s the link to the [...]