Yeah, let's hear it for the insurance companies of America...
:-ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
Idiots, and this is a case in point...
I have, in my cervical spine, 2 ruptured discs and significant bone spurring. During the first physical therapy visit, I was introduced to a contraption I lovingly refer to as "the rack", but is in fact a home traction unit. It's small, portable, and easy to use.
After some instruction, I was allowed to take the unit home while a claim was filed with my insurance to pay for it.
I should point out that this thing has been a God-send for me. Debillitating migraines are almost a thing of the past - I now get 1-2 a month, whereas before I was getting them 3-4 times per week.
Anyway, I get a "Claim Denied" letter from WeScrewU Insurance. I call, and the sweet-voiced "Customer Care(less) Assistant" proceeds to read the standard too-bad-too-sad reasons for denial. They say they will pay to lease the equipment. I ask for how long, and get this, they say "up to the full cost of the unit"....so, let me get this straight...you won't pay for the unit outright (it's $700), but you'll pay $40/mo until you get to $700? Yep, is the reply. Then what? I asked. Then I am to be re-evaluated, and the whole thing starts over again. Meaning, they will pay for it all over again.
By now, I'm giggling at the sheer idiocy of this plan. I say, so you'll pay for this over and over. Oh, no! She replies. Well, how many times? I ask. Twice, she says after putting me on hold to verify. Okay, I say, then the alternative after that is surgery in my case. So, you will pay twice(!) for a machine via lease payments, then you'll pay for surgery when the machine is gone and the pain comes back, and then you'll pay for the inevitable downtime while I recover, and who knows what kind of complications may arise, and so on.
There is silence on the other end of the phone...and then she asks me to hold......2-3 minutes pass, and the lilting voice is back.
Ma'am, she says, we are going to pay for the machine.
Sigh......
"Never anger a dragon, for thou art crunchy and go well with brie."
Viv
