Edited to add: Teddi - I just re-read this post and realized it's way too long and emotional. I think hearing about your problems w/your insurance company brought back too many memories of my own when I had HG. Sorry! I was just going to delete this message, but thought I'd leave it - in case one or two suggestions might help. Good luck! - Anna
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Teddi -
I can't tell you how angry this makes me!
It's just ridiculous that the company you pay to insure you won't cover what you need. It's not responsible of them to disregard the health of the patients they insure.
Sorry for that rant. I also had problems with my insurance company (Pacificare) while I had HG. I lived in CA when the HG started, and since my mother also had HG, she immediately flew me to Utah so that she could help me. Little did we know how severely I would be sick. Pacificare fought me on every single thing...IVs, home health, hospital bills, NG tube supplies, etc. It was crazy. I understand that they didn't want to cover those things in another state. And it was probably more expensive for them. But there was no way I could have flown back to CA. It just wasn't an option. And my perinatologist agreed with me. How do you fly when you have a feeding tube in your nose? And when you throw up just lifting your head off the pillow? Pacificare in the end was wonderful - they covered everything. I was grateful! But it was such a pain to fight for everything.
Here are my suggestions:
1 -
Find an advocate. Maybe it's your dh, or your mom, or your sister, or your friend. Someone who understands HG and is willing to do whatever it takes to get you what you need. Frankly, if you want me to be your advocate, I'm more than willing. Someone closer to you is obviously better, but if you don't have anyone, e-mail me and I'll do what I can. I'm serious! You need another person (who isn't going through HG) to fight for you. My mom was my advocate. She was amazing and I know I can never really repay her for all that she did for me (although giving having her first grandchild definitely helped even the score!).
2 -
Talk with Kaiser. I know that they must have Zofran and there must be a way to get it for you. It's just ridiculous for your doctor to say, "we don't have zofran any more." Ridiculous and insulting! If you have to call Kaiser and threaten a lawsuit, do it. I'm not kidding. Insurance companies fear lawsuits more than anything, because one person who sues can easily turn into a class action. If you know a lawyer, possibly consult with him/her.
3 -
Find a new doctor. I realize the system is definitely flawed and you don't want to end up as a "problem patient." But your health and the health of your baby is worth doing whatever it takes to get the care you need. Does your hospital have a Maternal/Fetal Medicine department? Talk with them - the doctors there are usu better trained to care for HG patients. If I were a physician and a patient came into my care because she wasn't taken care of elsewhere, I don't think I would mind the fact that she was a "problem patient." If someone is sick, she is sick. And some doctors are good about HG and others just aren't. If it is going to take a specialist to get zofran, then find a specialist! Are they telling chemo patients that zofran is not available? I think maybe you just need to find the right doctor!
I am the moderator of the "Find a Physician" forum. And I have found some great ways to search for doctors. If you'll let me know the city where you live and the hospital where you want to be seen, I can hopefully find a more aggressive, proactive doctor who is willing to do what it takes for you to feel better.
Hang in there! You just shouldn't have to fight with insurance companies when you are already fighting with HG. Please e-mail me or let me know what I can do to help. I'm sorry if I've been overly dramatic or if I've overstepped any boundaries...I just want you to make it through this pregnancy with as much help as possible. And the treatment you are getting (or NOT getting) is crazy.
Please let me know what I can do...
- Anna
"The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over." - Aesop