36 hours to go
After months of phonecalls, e-mails and all kinds of other wrangling, I got the final word today that everything is set for my surgery. Not a bad day's work, considering that my wake up call was from Dr. Brownstein's office telling me that he hadn't received his payment yet. It was 3 days late. And in the course of tracking that mystery down, I found out that the surgery center and anasthesiologist were expecting me to pay them out of pocket. So, I hit the phones.
I had a woman from the UC Office of the President who was backing me up the whole way. She was my first phone call. Right away, she got a phone conference together and was delegating tasks. By early afternoon, the mail came bringing Dr. B's check. <> By late afternoon, I got word that the surgery center was all set. <> And before the end of the day, I was told that the anasthesiologist was all taken care of. <>.
I am the first person to ever use this benefit. Thank god it was me, too, because anyone else who is not familiar with bureaucratic systems and procedures would have given up or been in some serious debt by now. I can't tell you how many times I was told that I would just have to pay upfront and get reimbursed. I don't really know anyone who has $8k just lying around to front for a procedure like this. I just reiterated that I was not paying a dime out-of-pocket because this was a covered benefit. I'm also getting used to telling people how to do their jobs. I left a message for my case manager today that said, "I really need for you to advocate for me on getting the pre-authorization for the surgery center," Yeah, I was determined. Basically, I was dead-set on having this thing go through just as it supposed to. It's a really cool feeling to identify what you want and just go for it. I've had some other moments in my life where I was able to apply myself and get results from a situation where others might deem it impossible. I mean, check this out: THE INSURANCE COMPANY PRE-PAID MY SURGEON HIS FULL SERVICE FEE PRIOR TO RENDERING THOSE SERVICES. This doesn't happen. EVER. What just happened today was major for trans folks.
Here are some lessons I want to pass on to folks:
1. Treat your healthcare providers and insurance companies like any other product you purchase. You are a consumer. If you don't like something or feel like you're being treated like shit, speak up. And if they don't listen, make some noise. You'll get somebody's attention.
2. Become actively engaged in your healthcare. Ask questions. Follow-up. If I hadn't called the surgery center today, I would have been seriously screwed. By calling in advance and anticipating that there would be some kinks, I saved myself and my friends some time and major heartache.
3. Don't take no for an answer. You can hold people accountable to you because you're a consumer. If you ever feel like someone is not helping or just telling you something can't happen, respectfully ask to speak to someone else, preferably their supervisor. It's amazing what talking to someone with leverage can do.
I hope that helps some of you out in the future.
As for me, tomorrow night is gonna feel like the night before christmas. I can't wait. My lady is here and we had an amazing weekend. I'm so grateful she's here and will be by my side. It's also been great to have someone to share my excitement with. Many of you have been sharing in it also. I'm so grateful for that too!
So, any of you in Santa Cruzor the Bay Area are welcome to drop by and say hi. I'll be home Wednesday afternoon. The surgery will be early Wednesday morning. My girl and I will just be hanging at home watching movies.
Thanks again for all your support and good thoughts. I appreciate it. I'll try to post some entries post-op.
I had a woman from the UC Office of the President who was backing me up the whole way. She was my first phone call. Right away, she got a phone conference together and was delegating tasks. By early afternoon, the mail came bringing Dr. B's check. <> By late afternoon, I got word that the surgery center was all set. <> And before the end of the day, I was told that the anasthesiologist was all taken care of. <>.
I am the first person to ever use this benefit. Thank god it was me, too, because anyone else who is not familiar with bureaucratic systems and procedures would have given up or been in some serious debt by now. I can't tell you how many times I was told that I would just have to pay upfront and get reimbursed. I don't really know anyone who has $8k just lying around to front for a procedure like this. I just reiterated that I was not paying a dime out-of-pocket because this was a covered benefit. I'm also getting used to telling people how to do their jobs. I left a message for my case manager today that said, "I really need for you to advocate for me on getting the pre-authorization for the surgery center," Yeah, I was determined. Basically, I was dead-set on having this thing go through just as it supposed to. It's a really cool feeling to identify what you want and just go for it. I've had some other moments in my life where I was able to apply myself and get results from a situation where others might deem it impossible. I mean, check this out: THE INSURANCE COMPANY PRE-PAID MY SURGEON HIS FULL SERVICE FEE PRIOR TO RENDERING THOSE SERVICES. This doesn't happen. EVER. What just happened today was major for trans folks.
Here are some lessons I want to pass on to folks:
1. Treat your healthcare providers and insurance companies like any other product you purchase. You are a consumer. If you don't like something or feel like you're being treated like shit, speak up. And if they don't listen, make some noise. You'll get somebody's attention.
2. Become actively engaged in your healthcare. Ask questions. Follow-up. If I hadn't called the surgery center today, I would have been seriously screwed. By calling in advance and anticipating that there would be some kinks, I saved myself and my friends some time and major heartache.
3. Don't take no for an answer. You can hold people accountable to you because you're a consumer. If you ever feel like someone is not helping or just telling you something can't happen, respectfully ask to speak to someone else, preferably their supervisor. It's amazing what talking to someone with leverage can do.
I hope that helps some of you out in the future.
As for me, tomorrow night is gonna feel like the night before christmas. I can't wait. My lady is here and we had an amazing weekend. I'm so grateful she's here and will be by my side. It's also been great to have someone to share my excitement with. Many of you have been sharing in it also. I'm so grateful for that too!
So, any of you in Santa Cruzor the Bay Area are welcome to drop by and say hi. I'll be home Wednesday afternoon. The surgery will be early Wednesday morning. My girl and I will just be hanging at home watching movies.
Thanks again for all your support and good thoughts. I appreciate it. I'll try to post some entries post-op.