Yesterday had been sunny and warm (upper 70s); today was overcast and cool (lower 60s). I prefer sunny and warm!
Yesterday, I had received a phone call from one of the doctor's offices, saying that they were trying to get authorization from my health insurance for the January follow-up appointment, but they were told that my account was "inactive"; they urged me to call my insurance carrier and have them activate it! So, I called insurance and they assured me that my coverage went into effect on the first of November. I called the doctor's office back and they checked the system and said that, no, it still showed inactivated. They told me to call my medical group/IPA. I tried to call the IPA, but, it was 5:00 p.m. and hey were closed.
So, this morning, I called the medical group/IPA to ask that my account be activated. Of course, the first thing the person said was, "Call your insurance", but I assured her that I had spoken to insurance and they had said my insurance was effective as of November 1 and the doctor's office had said to call the medical group. She checked and admitted that my account stated inactive and didn't know why; I explained about retiring and she said she'll look into it and call me back and took my phone number. After that, of course, I didn't want to leave the house to run errands, in case she called (I don't like to give my cell phone number and usually give my home phone number). Instead, I wrapped up the table runner I made for my niece and packaged the box of gifts. Then, I cooked the cashew curry. Around 11:30 a.m., I called the medical group, again, to follow up, since I hadn't heard back. A different person answered, I explained, again, what had happened and told her I needed to know whether to reschedule my doctor's appointment on Monday. She checked the computer and said my account showed active as of December 1. Um, it should have been as of November 1, but, I'll accept December 1. She also said that there was no indication in their system of an appointment on Monday! I tried to call the doctor's office, but their phone line was busy. I guess I had better call the doctor's office on Monday to find out if I am still scheduled to be seen later that afternoon!
Yesterday, I had received a phone call from one of the doctor's offices, saying that they were trying to get authorization from my health insurance for the January follow-up appointment, but they were told that my account was "inactive"; they urged me to call my insurance carrier and have them activate it! So, I called insurance and they assured me that my coverage went into effect on the first of November. I called the doctor's office back and they checked the system and said that, no, it still showed inactivated. They told me to call my medical group/IPA. I tried to call the IPA, but, it was 5:00 p.m. and hey were closed.
So, this morning, I called the medical group/IPA to ask that my account be activated. Of course, the first thing the person said was, "Call your insurance", but I assured her that I had spoken to insurance and they had said my insurance was effective as of November 1 and the doctor's office had said to call the medical group. She checked and admitted that my account stated inactive and didn't know why; I explained about retiring and she said she'll look into it and call me back and took my phone number. After that, of course, I didn't want to leave the house to run errands, in case she called (I don't like to give my cell phone number and usually give my home phone number). Instead, I wrapped up the table runner I made for my niece and packaged the box of gifts. Then, I cooked the cashew curry. Around 11:30 a.m., I called the medical group, again, to follow up, since I hadn't heard back. A different person answered, I explained, again, what had happened and told her I needed to know whether to reschedule my doctor's appointment on Monday. She checked the computer and said my account showed active as of December 1. Um, it should have been as of November 1, but, I'll accept December 1. She also said that there was no indication in their system of an appointment on Monday! I tried to call the doctor's office, but their phone line was busy. I guess I had better call the doctor's office on Monday to find out if I am still scheduled to be seen later that afternoon!
Later in the afternoon, I ran my errands. I went to the lab to get my blood test done. I went to the post office and mailed my package. After that, I stopped at the optician's office to have my new distance glasses adjusted as they kept slipping down my nose and that would pinch my nostrils so I found it hard to breathe! I was forever pushing them up! Then, I went to the nearby department store to see if there was a sweater for one of my aunts, but I didn't find anything I thought she would like. I have one other store to shop before I give up and get her a gift card! I went to the bank, too, but it was very crowded and the line was very long, so I left. Friday afternoons are probably not the best time to go to the bank. I will go on Monday or Tuesday. Finally, I put gas to the car and came home.
Then, I had a late lunch and aired the house. M came over to do the garden and after he left, I had a cup of tea and fell asleep on the sofa while watching news! Oops! I hadn't planned to nap!
Later, I froze the cashew curry, did the dishes, and wiped the stove top and counters.
Today, I am grateful for:
- A productive day
- Being able to get the insurance account activated
- Being able to mail my package without any trouble
- Video chatting with my daughter
- Warm knitted blankets
Saturday's To Do List:
- Wrap and tag the gifts I have ready
- Make a few more gifts
- Write greeting cards
- Dust and vacuum the living room and dining room
How was your Friday? What have you planned for the weekend?
Today, I am grateful for:
- A productive day
- Being able to get the insurance account activated
- Being able to mail my package without any trouble
- Video chatting with my daughter
- Warm knitted blankets
Saturday's To Do List:
- Wrap and tag the gifts I have ready
- Make a few more gifts
- Write greeting cards
- Dust and vacuum the living room and dining room
How was your Friday? What have you planned for the weekend?
I find banks to be busy on Mondays as well. Especially in the morning.
ReplyDeleteIt's constantly drizzling here, so I didn't do anything in the garden.
😊
It seems like there's always a long line at the bank, these days. Maybe I'll wait until Tuesday and try my luck, then!
DeleteAt least your garden is getting watered without you having to do it. I'm waiting for the forecasted rain on Monday; if it doesn't rain, then, I'll have to water on Tuesday.
How long is your winter break? Until after the New Year? Hope you are enjoying your break.
Bureaucracy can be so frustrating! I think we've all dealt with it, especially with doctors and insurance, but you may take the cake. Good thing you're patient or you might never have an appointment or get anything paid for. Good luck Monday.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, if it isn't one thing, it's another with my medical insurance, isn't it? I'm hopeful that, once the kinks get straightened out, it will go smoothly. And, I'm grateful that I am now well enough that I am able to delay doctors' appointments without much ill effect. :)
DeleteWhen I read about your difficulties with insurance and medical care providers it makes me even more grateful for our NHS. It gets a lot of bad press at times but when it works as it should, it is a fantastic service. I'm relieved to see it is (almost) resolved for you now. X
ReplyDeleteJules, I am just grateful that I have any medical insurance and coverage, at all! It doesn't always work as it is supposed to work, but, for the most part, it works. I'll find out on Monday if it has been resolved or not! Fortunately, my appointment is in the afternoon, so I can call in the morning to see if all is well! :)
DeleteInsurance is so frustrating,I am surprised you are so calm about it. They drive me nuts. I am grateful for my middle daughter who came and wrapped some gifts for me and and mailed a package so I did not have to.
ReplyDeleteI've had one snag after another with my health insurance and it can be very frustrating! But, for the most part, it works well. It's better than the alternative, which is no insurance!
DeleteWish it was warmer here! Those temps sound wonderful. I hate dealing with insurance. They are really quick if fixing something that benefits them, but if it's something to do with us (the customer) they aren't so quick! Hope it all works out. You do sound really calm when I'm sure it's really frustrating! Hope you have a good, calm weekend!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the weather forecasters, we are unseasonably warm for this time of year! Our normal temperatures for this time should be highs in the mid 60s; instead, we are in the upper 70s, even reaching 80 in some places! I am not complaining, however!
DeleteI think I am more resigned than frustrated, although, I do keep wondering what is going to happen in the future, now that the courts have declared the affordable care act is unconstitutional and coverage of existing conditions is no longer guaranteed. Both my daughter and I have existing conditions. It is all rather worrying.
My goodness, your experience with the insurance people seems a bit like a ping-pong match, going from one call to another and back again. I hope it will all work out for your appointment on Monday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI got some more gifts that I was waiting on, and DH and I went out in the morning to our woodlot and decided on a tree to bring home. It is on the porch at the moment but I guess we will get it indoors tomorrow and start decorating it. I put up some decorations on the mantel before suppertime.
Thank you, Bushlady. We shall see what happens on Monday!
DeleteSounds like you are making good progress on your Christmas preparations! You know it's Christmas when the tree is set up! Have fun decorating it!
I am glad you were able to sort through the insurance. It is terribly frustrating at times. I have learned to accept Murphy's Law, which is that if something COULD go wrong, it will..... I will not leave things to chance. Although I have never experienced wondering if a procedure will get paid for, I have dealt with requisitions for tests getting lost. So I prefer to stay on top of these things and will not hesitate to phone and "rattle some chains". I have not learned patience as you seem to have.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing wonderfully getting your Christmas and Almsgiving preparations done up quickly. There is only one week remaining.
Susan, somehow, it never occurred to me to check with the IPA if they had all my information updated! Hopefully, things will go well, now. But, I will call the doctor's office on Monday morning before I drive all the way downtown, just to make sure they have the authorization needed. I hate to call and bother people, unless I have to, but I've had my share of calling because authorizations for services and test results got lost/misplaced! There were quite a few snags to get through at the beginning, when my cancer was first detected.
DeleteThank you, I was starting to stress about the preparations, but, I think I'm making good progress. What are the holidays without a bit of stress, right?