Last night I visited the lovely people at Severna Park laser. Why? Because for some time now I've ignored a mole on the left side of my face. A mole that I've had for as long as I can remember. A while back a doctor mentioned that it looked worrisome; that maybe I should have it biopsied.
I tried to ignore that. No news is good news, right?
But finally, I realized that something had to be done. And I made the appointment. And here's where things get....well...a little controversial. My insurance will not pay for the procedure. So I had to pay $400 last night, for a procedure that took 6 minutes, start to finish.
Oh it's not the Doctor's fault. No no. He and his staff were kind, informative, and helpful. They put me at ease and assured me that they'd done this thousands of times. They earned their money, fair and square.
So I lay on that bed, in attractive protective goggles , as the Doctor cut into my face with a laser and removed the offending mole.
Basal cell carcinoma. A common skin cancer. Easily dealt with. (which I am thankful for, of course)
What I am NOT thankful for are the monthly premiums I pay to an insurance company who quite frankly suck. They cover almost nothing. I didn't have an extra $400. I really didn't. Who does these days? And what it comes down to for me, and so many others is that I simply cannot afford to be sick. And I'm lucky that this time, I dodged a bullet (or a melanoma, in this case) But I'm still pretty pissed about that $400.
So when so many people out there are railing against health care reform, I get angry. Because I need and you need and we all need to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. I don't have the answers. I really don't. But I do have a lot of stress, a lot of frustration, and I bet you do too.
This post can't solve any problems. Maybe it just added one more to the blogosphere. But that's life. And we're all smack dab in the middle of it. Just trying to muddle through and make the most of a life that is sometimes wonderful and sometimes stressful.
6 comments:
That is stressful and anyone who says that they don't want their health care "messed with" has either got some Cadillac of an insurance policy which no mere mortal can afford or is just plain out of their mind nuts.
I am so glad you got that mole removed and figured out what it was NOW. Even if it did cost four hundred dollars you can't afford.
Sigh.
I'm glad you got it removed and it was ok. And I think writing does does help because it is part of consciousness raising. I hope you all get the insurance you deserve soon. We have it in Belgium and it makes all the difference.
I would refile to make sure the insurance carrier knows the diagnosis is basal cell--and not that it was the removal of a mole for cosmetic reasons. I just cannot comprehend that a medical diagnosis of basal cell is not covered. The removal should be a medically necessary medical procedure and mine went to the deductible. Of course the deductible is $500 for me and so I had to pay the $400 of the deuctible but it WAS covered.
Ms. Moon- thanks for commiserating with me. *sigh* I hope my kids don't have to worry like this.
Mwa- I'm considering a move to Belgium!
Michele Renee- (love your name) We sent it off to the insurance but they weren't optimistic. Thanks for the advice. I plan on fighting it.
Maybe your insurance is a plan where you have to use certain doctors? Maybe that doctor was not on their plan?
Anon- no, that's not it. I checked. It's Blue Cross Blue Shield, and they are just plain difficult. Need a new job with new insurance. And the whole US needs a break.
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