The surgery and 4-5 day hospital stay was covered by my United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO (Primary Ins.). My insurance will pay for 100 days of skilled nursing care. The hospital tried to get approval to transfer me into their Acute Recovery Unit after my surgery and it was denied by UHC. Then my surgeon called to discuss my case and he was also denied.

So then my husband (quite persuasive) called UHC and explained that our home had steps down into our living room and kitchen. We also have a 20 step stairway up to the bedroom and bathroom showers, we don’t have a shower downstairs. He told them I was in my 70’s and needed more medical care than I our skill nursing facility provides (he called them before my surgery to find out what services they provided). He explains that I needed more than one physical therapy session a day, and additionally needed the medical care that TriCity’s recovery unit provided. He told them about the intense nerve pain I was experiencing and his concern about my other health issues (heart, pain ). After talking with our UHC advocate, he wanted to help my husband get approval for the Acute Recovery Unit care. It took a few hours to get the approval, but God worked through the hearts of the ultimate decision maker.

I had surgery on April 25, and and filled with gratitude, my nerve pain is almost gone! I am almost pain free. I am walking 2-3 times daily, short distances that gradually increase each week. I won’t begin Physical therapy until after mid/the end of July.