week 41- things happen for a reason.

am weight 132




where do I begin.... so last week I had a gall bladder attack.. probably my worst yet making me feel pretty crappy for about four days. I was so afraid to go to the er.. not afraid of the medical stuff but of the expense. I would never delay seeking life saving treatment because of money, but that was the deciding factor in toughing it out versus going. I did not have a fever... so I stuck it out. If i had been insured I would have gone. I still have bills from the prior er trip. When your a woman in her 40's complaining of a gripping pain in her upper body.. they run a bunch of heart related tests.. cha ching. After the last visit to the ER I provided pay-stubs and they did reduce the bill but it is still very expensive.I know I need to see a specialist and to have a hida test to see how well my gall bladder is working and to get to the bottom of these attacks.


So fast forward to last Friday and I am in a auto accident. Minor fender bender in the grand scheme of things.. the old woman was at fault, Liv was in the car and besides being very upset.. she was fine. I have had minor neck pain, I bruised my knee and bit my lip. Since then I have been trying to navigate the oh so fun roller coaster ride of figuring out insurance claims. Nobody would tell me that I was covered to seek treatment for my neck. Her insurance said they may reimburse my expenses, but that I would have to pay out of pocket first. My insurance said get a lawyer. Finally a kind chiropractor let me know that I am eligible to use my insurances med pay to pay for expenses.. so I filed a claim for that.


In the process of doing all this, I happened upon Cleveland Clinics Financial assistance website and after a intake procedure over the phone, I was told that I am covered 100% except for prescriptions. What a blessing that is. I scheduled a full physical and a meeting with the social worker at CC to provide our family pay stubs and sign forms.I will hopefully get to the bottom of my gall bladder pain. I was feeling so despondent over the whole situation but now am feeling very optimistic. I wish I would have done this sooner. Better late then never.