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Newsgroup Spambuster - 26 Mar 2005 04:14 GMT

Carole,

Am wondering how things worked out with your work situation? Was your
cardiologist able to talk to the powers that be and get your short term
disability reinstated? Is there anything we here in the group can do
to help you out at all?

Sending extra hugs and prayers your way!

Donna G

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Caroline Marold - 26 Mar 2005 05:51 GMT

Was hoping there was an update here. Did she called her
doctor's office? Anyone know the result of that? Did
she wind up trying to go to work.
{{{{{{{{{Carole}}}}}}}}
Duckie

> Carole,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Donna G

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Carole - 26 Mar 2005 07:13 GMT

Thanks for the hugs, Duckie. I really need them :)

Hugs,
Carole

> Was hoping there was an update here. Did she called her doctor's office?
> Anyone know the result of that? Did she wind up trying to go to work.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>
>> Donna G

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Carole - 26 Mar 2005 07:12 GMT

No, things haven't been worked out. My cardiologist said I can't go back
to work yet as my heart is still too weak. He called the insurance
company twice and got voicemail...left messages which they never returned.

I called today and tried to talk to a supervisor but since it was Good
Friday, there was no one there so I had to leave a message on the
supervisor's voicemail. I let her know that my caseworker had been left
two messages and had never responded. Supposedly I was sent a letter on
3/21 telling me that my benefits were discontinued on 3/8 and how I
could file an appeal. Amazing that they could send me a letter the day
after I complained about not being notified about any of this. I'm going
to file the appeal as soon as I get this letter. I just don't know how
long it will take. And to make matters worse, my cardiologist is on
vacation next week. His nurse said that if the insurance company needed
information, one of the other cardiologists could get my chart and tell
them that I have cardiomyopathy and that I can't go back to work yet.

I also spoke to my cardiac rehab therapist at the hospital and she is
going to try to find me someone at the hospital who might be able to
help (this person is a social worker). So I'll find out about that on
Monday. She also told me to file for financial aid to see if I can get
my hospital bill reduced.

In the meantime, I'm praying a lot as the bills are piling up, and I'm
so stressed that I can't remember what sleeping through the night is like.

Hugs,
Carole

> Carole,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Donna G

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Nann Bell - 26 Mar 2005 17:05 GMT

such things vary from one company to the next, but there might be someone in
the Human Resources/Benefits department that can help you out with this, too.
When I had some issues with my disability with my broken wrist, the
insurance company responded much more quickly to calls from my employer! I
got to know the woman I dealt with in HR all too well during my 11 weeks off
work!

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Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare

> No, things haven't been worked out. My cardiologist said I can't go back
> to work yet as my heart is still too weak. He called the insurance
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Hugs,
> Carole

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Carole - 26 Mar 2005 23:48 GMT

> such things vary from one company to the next, but there might be someone in
> the Human Resources/Benefits department that can help you out with this, too.
> When I had some issues with my disability with my broken wrist, the
> insurance company responded much more quickly to calls from my employer! I
> got to know the woman I dealt with in HR all too well during my 11 weeks off
> work!

I am going to try calling them on Monday. I have only dealt with them
when we had our new hire training, and they weren't the sharpest knives
in the drawer. I was very disappointed in their presentation but maybe
there's someone in that dept that could help. At this point, I'm going
to make as much noise as I have the energy for. Everyone I talk to at
the hospital says that this whole thing is insane, and that rehab is in
no way the equivalent of returning to work full time. So we shall see.

Hugs,
Carole

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Diane - 27 Mar 2005 00:46 GMT

so much stress for you, carole. the rehab = work full time IS insane.
like totally. how frustrating. i hope the social worker can give you
some help.

diane

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Carole - 27 Mar 2005 03:25 GMT

> so much stress for you, carole. the rehab = work full time IS insane.
> like totally. how frustrating. i hope the social worker can give you
> some help.
>
> diane

Thanks, Diane. The rehab therapist said the same thing. She said "How on
earth can they compare 1/2 hour here to working 40 hours a week???"
She's going to see if she can get me some help too. So maybe if I rattle
enough cages, something will get done :)

Hugs,
Carole

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Newsgroup Spambuster - 27 Mar 2005 00:56 GMT

Carole,

Keeping those prayers a rolling for you!

I so hope they can get you set up with a social worker through the
hospital, as they can really be a lot of help and know most of the
little tricks for getting financial help, for getting insurance
companies to be a little more helpful, etc. I think your person at
rehab is right, if there is a chance for you to get some of your bills
reduced, go for it. If you can get one (a social worker) go for it,
as they will may be helpful to you as well when doing your appeal. I
definitely would appeal and if you get rejected, I would appeal again.

Start now by writing down major points that you want to include in your
appeal. Also, get copies of your medical records with your
cardiologist and highlight or underline anything that you think is
important in proving your case. You can do these things a little at a
time as you have the energy to do them or when watching tv, etc. I
would try to get the supervisors name of the lady who called you and
told you your benefits were cancelled two weeks before you were notified
of them and who was so short and rude with you. Make copies, if you
can, of everything you send them and send copies to any and all who
might have say about your disability.

Carole, I can't speak for anyone else here, but if you need help with
supplies, let me know. I will gladly send you some stamps, paper,
envelopes, pens, highlighters, etc what ever you need to help you with
this appeal.

Hang in there and know that your family here at ASA is praying for you,
sending lots of healing, calming hugs and vibes, etc. We're pulling
for you. Sure wish I lived closer so I could bring you some meals and
some groceries to help out.

Donna G

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Carole - 27 Mar 2005 03:24 GMT

Thanks, Donna. The prayers are helping :) I know it's just a matter of
time until this is all cleared up. My rehab therapist said that the
woman at the insurance company is just plain stupid. I do have her
supervisor's name as I called there yesterday and left a voicemail
message for her. The other crazy thing about this is that the people at
the insurance company are only there from 7am-3pm eastern time, so by
the time my cardiologist gets into his office at 1pm (after surgery and
rounds), they're not there. What kind of a company that has to deal with
people from all over the US has hours that make them inaccessable to
those on the west coast??

Thanks also for the offer of supplies. I'm OK on that front. :)

I'm going to see if I can get some help from DSHS since I'm not getting
paid at this point, so maybe I can get food stamps temporarily until
this gets cleared up. I'm on such a strict diet now that food banks are
no help since the majority of their food is canned or processed and
loaded with sodium which I can't have. The nutritionist said I have to
stick to fresh veggies and fruits and lean meats, etc. So if I can get
food stamps at least I won't have to keep putting the groceries on my
charge card.

I'm hanging, Donna, I'm hanging :)

Hugs,
Carole

> Carole,
> Keeping those prayers a rolling for you!
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> Donna G

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Nann Bell - 27 Mar 2005 13:32 GMT

> I am going to try calling them on Monday. I have only dealt with them
> when we had our new hire training, and they weren't the sharpest knives
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> the hospital says that this whole thing is insane, and that rehab is in
> no way the equivalent of returning to work full time. So we shall see.

Yeah, there's always a hope that the folks who do the presentation are their
top people! I wasn't always that impressed with HR at Shands, but they are a
big enough employer that one little phone call from them got the insurer
double-checking stuff pronto! It may not take too sharp of a knife, as long
as they'll make a call. You certainly work for a large employer they should
want to keep happy! LOL

Dang, I can *almost* remember the name of the lady from Shands HR who dealt
with this and it's been 11 years since my accident. Can still see her face,
but can't remember her name. heehee, funny the impressions people make on
you..........

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Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare

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delcorso - 27 Mar 2005 04:59 GMT

((((((((((((((((Carole)))))))))))))) I'll be praying for you!! I
hope you find someone to help you so that you can this taken care of
in a way that is best for you!!
Thinking of you!
Carol

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