@jentaylor, I thank you for letting me know that you advocate for proper pain management. Lots of people don't understand the other side of the opioid crisis. They just see the tv version and think heroin addiction and overdose. The cdc and surgeon general have sent out letters to insurance companies and doctors asking them to take a stand and be the leaders against the opioid crisis in any way they can. So the sheet metal worker's local 36 union sent me copies of the letters they received along with a denial letter saying they will no longer be paying for chronic non cancer opioid pain medicine, only 6 weeks after a surgery or end of life cancer. I have aexausted every other treatment from least invasive to surgery over 17 years. Many of those years spent in bed crying. My doctor put me on a Butrans patch I change it weekly and it allows me to get up and take care of myself. It makes life bearable. But people immediately assume I am an addict if Im taking an opioid. Its just not true and I hope they are able to get proper pain management when they need it. Im so appreciative of your kind words and understanding. I hope that huge bill from mayo is just a mistake. Take care!
Becky

Katherine..,Could it be that even the insurance companies won't argue with Dr Akasient...sp? Or you are part of a research project funded by grant or drug company? Tdrell

@tdrell, Terri don't have a clue .. just get statements that say zero due from us .. so was surprised and sad to see all the problems others have had. .. OR could it be that the Tobramycin is not JUST for the Pseudomonas but for all 3 bacteria that I was diagnosed with?? Just don't know. Hugs! Katherine

Katemn....sadly i fear the staff at insurance companies get bonuses for denial of claims....have you ever watched Michael Moores documentary "Sicko?" really proves the point! Tdrell

@tdrell I am sure this is true of some smaller insurers but I seriously doubt it of the larger insurance companies. I have never had a problem with anything that should have gotten paid being turned down, thankfully. If the guy that sold me my medicare supplemental was still at the company they would probably fire him for signing me up -- I have been a very costly insured.
JK

Contentandwell....my friend ....an RN....was working for BlueCross Blue Shield of Milwaukee....not a small company.The companies in Sicko the documentary were large national ones.....not related to Medicare/supplements
My comments were not based on Medicare and its supplement insurances or on the advantage programs.Tdrell

@tdrell Maybe I am naive but I honestly cannot imagine this taking place in large, reputable insurance companies. I worked for BC-BS, granted it was years ago, and nothing like that ever would have happened. I also worked for a commercial insurer and again do not think this would have happened, but of course times have changed. I still cannot imagine the highly regarded companies would risk everything doing this.
JK

@ contentandwell, I hope all is well . I am wondering what medicare supplements insurance you have?Is it covering prescriptions, doctors, hospital, and medical equipment? I might be getting a divorce and needing to get a medicare supplement insurance. Happy Saturday and thank you,
Becky

@chinasmom Hi Chinasmom, I have Medicare supplement F from Bankers Life. The supplemental plans are standard but I guess the cost varies depending on the carrier. I must admit, I really did not do much comparison, I just did not realize that there could be much of a difference. I know a lot of people get theirs through AARP.
F covers pretty much everything but drugs are covered with a different coverage, I think it's called Medicare D.
I googled and here is what it said about F:
"Medicare Supplement Plans F and G. Plans F and G are the only Medicare Supplement insurance plans that cover costs known as Medicare Part B excess charges. An excess charge is the difference between what a doctor or provider charges and the amount Medicare will pay."
I think G covers internationally also, but not sure. I know there was some reason I didn't choose it. I have been very happy with my coverage. My husband left it up to me as to what I chose but I just felt for some reason I needed the best. That must have been a premonition because I have had to pay very, very little of all the costs incurred by my transplant and pre and after care.
Sorry to hear you are the situation you are in. I hope everything gets resolved in the best way possible.
Have a great weekend. Here in NH it is gloomy today and there is supposed to be some rain this afternoon, third day in a row. Before that it was sunny and in the 80s and 90s!
JK

@contentandwell, Thanks for the information. If you don't have medicare D, who covers your prescriptions? Im in Missouri it was too dry all week some rain overnight and temps in the 90s. Too hot and harder to breath outside. So Im stay in except for spraying for ants and taking my pekeingese outside. I'm getting her bath ready, it takes about 3 hrs but its worth it when we are done. For some reason my lungs get a work out and always decide to clear themseves during the blow dry. Kind of a strange phenomenon huh? Take care and Buy for now.
Becky