Limbo

Insurance Approval

It is probably no surprise that Pam's stem cell transplant is being held up by insurance authorization and appeals. Pam's oncologist at OHSU, Dr. Holtan, is a pro in all of this.  Here are the emails back and forth between Dr. Holtan and Pam that explain the situation:

• From Dr. Holtan: Hi, Pamela!  I wanted to let you know where we currently are with regards to your transplant. I am appealing to your insurance for coverage of the costs of your cord blood cells as separate from the transplant itself.  Your current benefits would not be adequate to cover the acquisition of the cord blood cells and costs of supportive care of the transplant.  Fingers crossed, I hope to rush this and have good news for you.  I will continue to keep you updated every step of the way.  Hang in there!

So, we are in limbo.  Pam is taking it in stride.  She wants to be able to babysit her grandson, Austin, this coming Thursday and wants to make sure that doesn't interfere with anything. 

• Here is Pam's response: Thank you for dealing with the insurance coverage, I know that can be very frustrating. Also thank you for the update. I appreciate all your help.I was going to check with you about something I would like to do next Thursday, the 13th. My daughter has asked me to babysit my 4 month old grandson while she works. He's very healthy and has not been around other kids.I know the schedule is up in the air at this point, but if I can plan this it would mean alot to me. I know once I go into the hospital it will be a long time before I can babysit again. Staying healthy is the priority, so I will do what you think is best at this time.Thank you again for all your help.
• Dr. Holtan: Absolutely, and thank you for your patience in all of this.  And now is an excellent time to babysit your little grandson!  I hope to be able to give you some more details soon.  Thanks! 

I think that exchange speaks volumes.  I have all kinds of confidence in Dr. Holtan.  She is a real professional, and I am sure that she will be able to work through the system, and that we will get Pam's transplant done. But, of course, it is still frustrating. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I am very grateful for the care Pam has received so far. 
I previously wrote about how grateful that I am for Pam's great care in my blog series that I do for Clinicient:  Grateful for Great Care.  But, until we get over this hurdle, it is hard to be grateful, and it is doubly hard for me to understand how any rational person could be so virulently opposed to meaningful health care reform that includes defined benefits. I have worked in health care business my whole life. Sorry to report, the system is broken.  In fact, it isn't a system.  This is just one more story out of millions of stories that prove my point.  (Sorry, off of my soap box now.)


The picture that will haunt Aubrey forever

Off to Seattle

My son, Ben, and Andrea had their second baby girl this week.  Pam and I are going up to Seattle to visit them and have an early informal Christmas celebration, since we don't have any control over when Pam will end up in the hospital. 

"That's Better"

Aubrey Sky Henderson joins their first daughter Haile in their family.  I am very proud of both Ben and Andrea.  Without going into details, both of them had a lot of problems as teenagers.  They met in a boarding school for troubled teens and ran away together from the school.

In spite of the odds against this kind of start in the transition to adulthood, they are meeting the struggle.  They are responsible, loving parents and they are an inspiration to me. 

They still have a tough road ahead of them, because they are so young, but they are meeting the challenge so far.  Ben took a picture of Aubrey getting her first bath.

Next Steps

I am sure we will hear more very soon about the appeal for the stem cell transplant and Dr. Holtan will let us know immediately as soon as more is known. I will update everyone with the latest in this space.

 

Thanks again for all of your support, prayers and well wishes.

 

Jerry