You can’t turn on the TV or go to the web these days without seeing and hearing about the high cost of insurance. People who have insurance are wondering how much longer they will be able to afford it; and yet, they can’t see how they can do without it. None of us ever know when tragedy may strike our family.
Sometimes minor injuries are sustained as the result of a car accident, bicycle accident, football injury, or other personal injury. But, imagine for a moment someone you know sustains a life-changing brain injury as a result of one of those accidents. You’re talking some big bucks – and insurance companies don’t like to have to pay for those injuries.
Even though I was paying periodic premiums for a pretty good HMO at the time of my anoxic brain injury, it was a daily struggle to get them to pay for proper rehabilitation. I’ll give them credit for paying well for the hospital and doctors, but they were very stingy with the payment when it came to paying for sufficient rehabilitation. It’s still too easy for them to use the word “cured” after physical injuries are healed since the public, insurance companies, and yes, even some doctors, are still ignorant when it comes to brain injury.
Since I was the one that was brain injured, I was not that concerned about treatment costs at the time. I was having problems enough admitting I needed rehabilitation, much less worrying about how we were going to pay for it. That was not true for Larry though. He was in constant battle with the insurance company to get them to pay for the care we signed up to pay premiums for and the waiting period was not good for a brain injury victim. He was determined I would get the care I deserved and that we paid for previously paycheck after paycheck.
I can only imagine how difficult that situation would have been for someone who didn’t even have the option of fighting with an insurance company. I think about that a lot these days as we are so focused on our healthcare as a country.
I pray our President and Congress will have what it takes to follow through with the new healthcare plan and finally start the process of healing our country. It’s not a white/black thing. It’s not a rich/poor thing. It’s just the right thing.
Sometimes minor injuries are sustained as the result of a car accident, bicycle accident, football injury, or other personal injury. But, imagine for a moment someone you know sustains a life-changing brain injury as a result of one of those accidents. You’re talking some big bucks – and insurance companies don’t like to have to pay for those injuries.
Even though I was paying periodic premiums for a pretty good HMO at the time of my anoxic brain injury, it was a daily struggle to get them to pay for proper rehabilitation. I’ll give them credit for paying well for the hospital and doctors, but they were very stingy with the payment when it came to paying for sufficient rehabilitation. It’s still too easy for them to use the word “cured” after physical injuries are healed since the public, insurance companies, and yes, even some doctors, are still ignorant when it comes to brain injury.
Since I was the one that was brain injured, I was not that concerned about treatment costs at the time. I was having problems enough admitting I needed rehabilitation, much less worrying about how we were going to pay for it. That was not true for Larry though. He was in constant battle with the insurance company to get them to pay for the care we signed up to pay premiums for and the waiting period was not good for a brain injury victim. He was determined I would get the care I deserved and that we paid for previously paycheck after paycheck.
I can only imagine how difficult that situation would have been for someone who didn’t even have the option of fighting with an insurance company. I think about that a lot these days as we are so focused on our healthcare as a country.
I pray our President and Congress will have what it takes to follow through with the new healthcare plan and finally start the process of healing our country. It’s not a white/black thing. It’s not a rich/poor thing. It’s just the right thing.
Brain Injury Online provides a list of brain injury attorneys and some information about how you can help your attorney prepare if you should need that assistance to move your insurance company along faster which is critical to a brain injury victim.
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1 comments:
As a person who had a brain injury when I did not have insurance (in college at the age of 21), I find all the ads and discussion of health insurance reform disturbing. This is because of the great ignorance and seemingly careless attitude toward people who do have these tragedies. I "look" so normal but I have so many difficulties typically associated with brain injury - vision, balance, memory, fatigue, etc. - for which even Medicare will not cover.
Medical care and assistance is not covered because the medical field does not understand problems which stem from neurological damage. For example, there is nothing "wrong" with my eyeballs and the standard testing does not reveal damage. Though I need visual aids, I cannot get them unless I buy them myself.
This is the case for all of my problems which make my life difficult but also very expensive without insurance or understanding.
I am hoping to find ways to publicize this problem, especially at this crucial juncture of the health insurance debate. There are many people in the same situation.
The only option is family assistance or money. If you have neither of those - which I don't - life is a daily struggle with few rewards.
Though my computer skills are not great, I do appreciate Beth's commentary and blog. If anyone with a brain injury is interested in finding a way to publicize this issue, please post so here and I will try to contact you.
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