I don't know about most people but I don't particularly like change when it comes to my care and my MPS. Sure there are times a new Provider is added, a new issue crops up (all to often actually on this front) or something is added but in general I like things staying kind of the status quo. I don't like changing Providers except when it's really necessary (and sometimes it is, sometimes I am the 1 to make the decision to change a Provider or 1 of my Providers suggests adding another Specialist to my team).
There are other times though when change has to happen and I dread it, even worry about it. Last year, a year ago when losing Dr.Bragg (atleast locally) was a perfect example of that. Was similar when my former Metabolic (Genetics) Neurologist left his practice at UofMn and went in to research with no patient contact. We as complex, rare patients don't always know how to replace these providers and sometimes frankly like with Dr.Bragg they are irreplaceable.
I share these thoughts b/c as I've written about a few times my primary insurance is changing (unfortunateliy) July 1st and with that I will lose the Case Manager I've had for the past 4 yrs at Dean. I know (believe me I know!) it's probably a little weird to be sad at losing someone you work with at an insurance company but when you have a disorder like my MPS that's fairly complex and requires a LOT of care and Providers and thus dealing with insurance often enough (especially when primary insurer was an HMO) having someone, a point person at the insurer can make working through that 10x easier. Marge was completely that person for me at DHP.
I am grateful for this and breathed a small sigh of relief admittedly - it's not that I don't have other insurance (I do, Medicare and Medicaid) so it isn't as if I would have went without care it's more (the biggest reason) the uncertainty would I still have been able to get the IV Enzyme drug I receive weekly when in-pt? My Genzyme Case Manager and I did our best to try and find this information out but could never get a solid answer, just a 'we think so, b/c it would be medically necessary'. With coverage under Unity that question is answered.
Some stretches of in-pt stays have been long and 4 or 5 wks of no access would have a huge impact (I can notice a difference after 2wks). Thankfully that part is now sorted!
I share all this because my Case Manager at Dean was the point person I worked with there. She did loads of paperwork, calls and coordinating on my behalf which meant I in turn did not have to do these things. Regarding about 1/2 or more of my Providers where out of Dean's limited HMO Specialist network and so could conceivably with many insurance companies meant having to switch Providers (Dean does not have most of the types of sub specialized Specialists I see) but with Dean and with having Marge/a Case Manager we where able to submit out of network prior auth exceptions. Years back when our plan 1st switched from a PPO/POS Plan to the HMO I had to switch Primary drs (but my then Case Manager at Dean who was also very good asked around and got a few good recommendations and of these I reached out to 2 and heard back from both). Of those 2 I picked the PCP I have today and who has been fantastic (and I don't say that lightly!).
Having a Case Manager hasn't meant I gave up decision making and being my own voice nor being able to have a say (again making the decisions re my care)but it HAS meant getting my out of network Specialists covered as in-network Providers and being able to for 6 o7 yrs receive my infusion (till it was set up recently in-network at the current site) at a hospital that had experience. It meant having my 3 Open Heart surgeries and the numerous heart procedures covered despite these also being at out of network hospital. Same with so many of my Providers. My Case Manager was a link to the top essentially at Dean, so the Medical Director was even familiar with my case and for instance with this recent infusion site switch the Med Director amongst many other Dean Directors took time to be on the call regarding the infusion site switch. If I where just a Patient trying to do all those things my own they either A. wouldn't happen or B. would be a helluva lot harder and a whole lot more work on my part!.
I'll call and see about having a Case Manager assigned at this Insur. Co similar to how I worked with 1 at Dean. (see below, I met her last wk - so sweet and reeeaalllyyyyyyyyy going to miss her!)
I really get it that not everyone has great luck with Case Managers and I've had a few over the yrs (not at Dean but in other capacities) I didn't do much if anything w/bc I could do whatever needed being done as easily on my own (there weren't great). With Dean having been an HMO the past 4 or so yrs it was a godsend to have a Case Manager like Marge (and Peggy before her) who made getting Providers I see out of network covered much simpler, they did vast majority of paperwork and she (and Peggy initially) where the 'go-between' between the policy, the Medical Director, myself and getting my out of network Providers covered. I can't say enough other than very grateful and I really am going to miss her!
Marge (DHP Case Manager) and I, Dean-FH Infusion
Perhaps many don't but I can cope with all this uncertainty and frankly often (with some aspects of my care) not knowing what is going to happen by surrounding myself with people who learn my situation and who care. I don't mind admitting I greatly appreciate those people like Marge and some of my Providers who take an extra step and get to know me while they try to help me. I feel being able to trust someone makes working with them a lot easier (and sooo much harder when as a Patient we don't necessary know if we can trust a Provider)!
Unity (New Insurance) -
I found out the coverage information re Unity while at Infusion yesterday (I was uncertain as I am past the age of 26 and given I do have other Insurance so wasn't sure if they would con't to cover me as Dean has) so gave my Primary Nurse as well as my PCP a heads up.
They apparently have already talked to Unity and confirmed no referral is needed for the weekly infusion (it will now be back to an out of network site at my relatively new D-FH site) but per what my Nurse told me and makes sense given our Insur. plan is a Point of Service (meaning we have the option to go out of network for coverage just is a different coverage tier) which is what I wanted given as it is now I see a few Providers in-network with Dean.
I'll keep most of my Providers the same whether they are in network or out of network but as it with my current (Dean) insur. provider most of my Providers will fall under the POS out of network coverage. With our Unity plan being a POS I won't need referrals but the Providers I see out of network will still be covered (this includes PCP, ERT (Infusion), Cardiology/Heart Rhythm, Neuro-Endocrine, and a few others. My Botox (PMR) Provider at Dean had left his practice this summer anyways so I am switching back to the PMR dr I originally seen at UW and will go back to seeing Neuro-Opthalmol. there as well.
Some to be sorted yet but overall seems to be falling in to place fairly well. For that I truly give praise to God as I cannot even say how many times I have prayed about and worried about this all!
Shunts (B/c I wonder will he ever actually fix this? )
Someday I hope to be able to write here that we are finnalllyyy going to fix the Lumbar-to Thoracic Shunt (LP Shunt but sits in Thoracic space) but as it is that time is not now unfortunately. I feel like everytime I talk to my Nrsgn he wants something different but this time he wants to talk to Nrgns other MPS Families see and I am seeing the Nrsgn at UofMn next month (early August) to get his opinion for my Nrsgn on the whole shunt situation. It's all a bit shitty being quite frank! It's like others on my Provider can see and know the issue but he's so determined we can't fix it b/c it will just fail again and "your not that sick". Fantastic (note sarcasm)! The worst honestly is how everytime we deal with a longer on-going shunt issue is how it affects vision, this time being no different. I've already had my glasses script increased 2x in the past year and no sense getting it adjusted now till (God I seriously pray and I truly mean this) we do. I realllyyy like reading and is so much more difficult when these shunt issues!
In any case will update again when there's anything to update. Happy 4th of July! Be reminded this (coming) Holiday wknd all we have to be grateful for!
Erica
VBS kids and new Hearing Aid (L side in process yet)
VBS - 5th / 6th Grade
