So, Dr. T's scheduler called and verified my insurance coverage, and then informed me that I would be having my surgery at Zale Lipshy, instead of Parkland.
Dr. T. prefers to work at Zale because he's trying to build up his hours there, and come to find out, he ONLY takes his self-pay patients to Parkland. Otherwise, its Zale.
Thursdays are his Parkland days, so the next available date was October 10th.
Not too terrible of a wait, but it cuts off 4 days that I would be normally taking off from work.
So, instead of 2 weeks and 2 days with an extra weekend off, its just 2 weeks.
But all in all, I'm thankful that its all set in stone.
I have a pre-op appointment with Dr. T and the hospital next Friday and an appointment with my ortho to get my surgical hooks put on the following week.
17 days and counting.
Will be a busy couple of weeks.
Sep 22, 2011
Sep 15, 2011
The Answer is in - Less than 24 Hours! Praise God!
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
I finally found that place.. That place where I was able to trust that God was going to take care of this whole entire process.
I prayed and I let go. And I found the peace place.
Yesterday, I got an email from our HR Director at work. It just said, "Call me."
She also left a voice mail that sounded very urgent so I immediately called her back.
Her news?
She said, "I just couldn't send this in an email."
She then proceeded to read the email she received from her contact at BCBS that said my appeal was approved and my surgery would be covered.
Thank you God!
He is so amazing. He just takes care of everything!
Of course I cried and was so overwhelmed I was shaking.
What a way to end the work day!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
I finally found that place.. That place where I was able to trust that God was going to take care of this whole entire process.
I prayed and I let go. And I found the peace place.
Yesterday, I got an email from our HR Director at work. It just said, "Call me."
She also left a voice mail that sounded very urgent so I immediately called her back.
Her news?
She said, "I just couldn't send this in an email."
She then proceeded to read the email she received from her contact at BCBS that said my appeal was approved and my surgery would be covered.
Thank you God!
He is so amazing. He just takes care of everything!
Of course I cried and was so overwhelmed I was shaking.
What a way to end the work day!
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Now we just wait for the pre-op fun to begin!
Now we just wait for the pre-op fun to begin!
Sep 10, 2011
The verdict is in!
Lower Jaw Surgery ONLY!
Thank you God!
The visit with Dr. T was awesome. He was so kind and informative, and answered all of my questions.
Only having the lower jaw surgery means a better recovery, no overnight stay in the hospital, out of pocket expense goes to less than 10K and best of all, no restrictions on blowing my nose. That was really freaking me out!
Unfortunately, it doesn't keep me from having to wear the splint.
The mean, hateful splint that I keep reading about.
Oh, AND, he seemed to be perfectly fine with my October 6th date! He said nothing about waiting for more space. He mentioned that he and Dr. Simon had a chat about me last Wednesday and they were both happy with the course of action.
His scheduler was going to submit all info back to BCBS by the end of the day yesterday so you bet your booty I will be following up on Monday! Hopefully we can get an answer back quickly.
All in all it was a great day with great news!
More to come when we hear from BCBS....
Thank you God!
The visit with Dr. T was awesome. He was so kind and informative, and answered all of my questions.
Only having the lower jaw surgery means a better recovery, no overnight stay in the hospital, out of pocket expense goes to less than 10K and best of all, no restrictions on blowing my nose. That was really freaking me out!
Unfortunately, it doesn't keep me from having to wear the splint.
The mean, hateful splint that I keep reading about.
Oh, AND, he seemed to be perfectly fine with my October 6th date! He said nothing about waiting for more space. He mentioned that he and Dr. Simon had a chat about me last Wednesday and they were both happy with the course of action.
His scheduler was going to submit all info back to BCBS by the end of the day yesterday so you bet your booty I will be following up on Monday! Hopefully we can get an answer back quickly.
All in all it was a great day with great news!
More to come when we hear from BCBS....
Sep 6, 2011
Parkland Hospital! COME ON DOWN!
You're the next contestant on, THE PRICE IS RIGHT!..
I finally got the answer to the long burning question of, which hospital do I choose. I have been waiting to make that decision, based on the quotes I received for paying out of pocket. I am still very hopeful mind you, that Blue Cross is going to come through for me, but I am going forward with my plan of paying out of pocket.
So.... First contestant.. UT Southwestern - Zale Lipshy
The discount they offer is strictly 25% off the hospital fees only. Not supplies, not the anesthesiologist, but just the hospital. Their facility fee?
$60,800.....
Anesthesia? $3400
Ummmmmmmm
Yeah... Right!
Next contestant! Parkland Hospital.
Their discount? They have a list of "codes" that are frequently denied by insurance companies in which they offer a "package" price. This means hospital + Anesthesiologist.
Their rate? For upper and lower jaw surgery...
Get this....
Wait for it...
$4500
I asked Dr. T's surgery schedule if she was absolutely sure that was the price, and she said she also did a double take and verified the price as well before she called me. So...
Parkland it is...
At this point, even if insurance did approve my surgery, I would still chose Parkland. I feel like even if its not my money I'm spending, its and act of faith to be a good steward of the money, regardless of where it's coming from I can't see going with a choice that is so outrageous just because I can.
Still praying for insurance.
I finally got the answer to the long burning question of, which hospital do I choose. I have been waiting to make that decision, based on the quotes I received for paying out of pocket. I am still very hopeful mind you, that Blue Cross is going to come through for me, but I am going forward with my plan of paying out of pocket.
So.... First contestant.. UT Southwestern - Zale Lipshy
The discount they offer is strictly 25% off the hospital fees only. Not supplies, not the anesthesiologist, but just the hospital. Their facility fee?
$60,800.....
Anesthesia? $3400
Ummmmmmmm
Yeah... Right!
Next contestant! Parkland Hospital.
Their discount? They have a list of "codes" that are frequently denied by insurance companies in which they offer a "package" price. This means hospital + Anesthesiologist.
Their rate? For upper and lower jaw surgery...
Get this....
Wait for it...
$4500
I asked Dr. T's surgery schedule if she was absolutely sure that was the price, and she said she also did a double take and verified the price as well before she called me. So...
Parkland it is...
At this point, even if insurance did approve my surgery, I would still chose Parkland. I feel like even if its not my money I'm spending, its and act of faith to be a good steward of the money, regardless of where it's coming from I can't see going with a choice that is so outrageous just because I can.
Still praying for insurance.
The space crisis
As noted prior, Dr. Simon wanted me in this morning to make some adjustments and create more space for the surgery. I wasn't sure what that meant, but just as I had suspected she placed some springs on both sides of my upper teeth, between my canines and incisors. She said my front teeth needed to be "flared" out more, to give my bottom jaw room to slide forward the 6+mm that it needed to move. As it is now, my bottom teeth would crash into my top teeth and not go as far as it should.
She feels as if we have enough time to make the change, but I'm a little worried. She made the comment, "I think this is what Dr. Tiwana would want us to do, but I don't know, he may decide we need to give it another month or so for more space."
Another month?!
NO!!!!
I am stream rolling down this path and I don't want to get off now! I have prepared mentally, physically, have my pantry stocked with Ensures and soups and have even cooked ahead and have frozen meals for my family to heat and eat while I'm recovering.
I need this to happen the first week in October as scheduled.
Please say a prayer that it continues as planned.
I am FINALLY meeting with Dr. T this Friday to have a chat and have him let me know if he feels I need upper and lower, or just the lower surgery done. I have been waiting for this appointment for what seems an eternity. I have my list of questions ready and I hope he has the answers I have been desperately seeking.
To be continued.......
She feels as if we have enough time to make the change, but I'm a little worried. She made the comment, "I think this is what Dr. Tiwana would want us to do, but I don't know, he may decide we need to give it another month or so for more space."
Another month?!
NO!!!!
I am stream rolling down this path and I don't want to get off now! I have prepared mentally, physically, have my pantry stocked with Ensures and soups and have even cooked ahead and have frozen meals for my family to heat and eat while I'm recovering.
I need this to happen the first week in October as scheduled.
Please say a prayer that it continues as planned.
I am FINALLY meeting with Dr. T this Friday to have a chat and have him let me know if he feels I need upper and lower, or just the lower surgery done. I have been waiting for this appointment for what seems an eternity. I have my list of questions ready and I hope he has the answers I have been desperately seeking.
To be continued.......
Sep 2, 2011
Never under estimate the power of the MOLD!
No, not the green kind. Although that is equally as powerfully, hence penicillin, etc.
However; in my case, we are talking about the pink kind.
In my last post I mentioned that Dr. Simon had taken new molds and that it would take about 2 weeks to get them back, and that we would need to wait until then to resubmit to BCBS for approval.
Of course, knowing that prayer can accomplish anything, I have been very prayerful that by some miracle they would come back early and we could submit sooner.
Well, praise God, they came back today. One week later.
Immediately, Dr. Simon sent the records over to Dr. Tiwana's office for submission. The young lady I am working with at Dr. T's office was off today, and won't be back until Tuesday, so it won't happen until next week, unfortunately. I guess she is entitled to time off from work. I just with she would do it AFTER we get surgery approved.
Then Christi from Dr. Simon's office called back and said Dr. Simon needed me in ASAP. Said that after looking at my molds she feels like Dr. T will want more space in a couple of places. What does that mean? Guess I will find out first thing Tuesday morning when I go in for the adjustment.
Sounds like I may be taking advantage of my "soup" diet earlier than expected. The good news is, she feels as if Dr. T. will be able to get by with only doing my bottom jaw.
I am going to be making my white chocolate mint ganache filled chocolate cupcakes on Monday to take to Dr. Simon's office on Tuesday. Her office has been so supportive, and Dr. Simon is one of the best doctors I have ever worked with. She is so patient, kind and informative, always calls me back herself and goes above and beyond to make me feel as if I am her only patient. Just a small gesture to say "Thanks."
Although, she is about a size 2 and probably never touches sugar!
BUT, I'll bet she won't be able to resist the ganache!.
More on Tuesday....
However; in my case, we are talking about the pink kind.
In my last post I mentioned that Dr. Simon had taken new molds and that it would take about 2 weeks to get them back, and that we would need to wait until then to resubmit to BCBS for approval.
Of course, knowing that prayer can accomplish anything, I have been very prayerful that by some miracle they would come back early and we could submit sooner.
Well, praise God, they came back today. One week later.
Immediately, Dr. Simon sent the records over to Dr. Tiwana's office for submission. The young lady I am working with at Dr. T's office was off today, and won't be back until Tuesday, so it won't happen until next week, unfortunately. I guess she is entitled to time off from work. I just with she would do it AFTER we get surgery approved.
Then Christi from Dr. Simon's office called back and said Dr. Simon needed me in ASAP. Said that after looking at my molds she feels like Dr. T will want more space in a couple of places. What does that mean? Guess I will find out first thing Tuesday morning when I go in for the adjustment.
Sounds like I may be taking advantage of my "soup" diet earlier than expected. The good news is, she feels as if Dr. T. will be able to get by with only doing my bottom jaw.
I am going to be making my white chocolate mint ganache filled chocolate cupcakes on Monday to take to Dr. Simon's office on Tuesday. Her office has been so supportive, and Dr. Simon is one of the best doctors I have ever worked with. She is so patient, kind and informative, always calls me back herself and goes above and beyond to make me feel as if I am her only patient. Just a small gesture to say "Thanks."
Although, she is about a size 2 and probably never touches sugar!
BUT, I'll bet she won't be able to resist the ganache!.
More on Tuesday....
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