Multiple Sclerosis

I have had the fortune to recently read two memoirs authored by persons with Multiple Sclerosis.  There were so many parts of the book I could relate to.  At times, I felt I was reading my own memoir.  Our stories were that intertwined.  However, there are a subjects on which I differed greatly.  The care of my physicians and my experience with insurance.

From day one of my first "symptoms," my nurse practitioner, GP and neurologist have been great.   They believed me when I said I had numbness.  They did not dismiss me as crazy.   Unlike the experiences from the books, these professionals gave me information in their offices - no email diagnosis.  I can't believe a doctor actually EMAILED a patient the diagnosis of MS.

I have set in their offices and cried tears of frustration.   They have listened.  Never rushed me out.  Once, the neurologist actually pulled up a chair next to me, shut off the lights, told Brian not to comfort me and told me to cry it out. He told me that I needed to cry and mourn my diagnosis.  Seriously?  A neurologist who has a busy schedule did this?  Yep!

The office staffs I have worked with have been incredible too.  When trying to send me to Northwestern for a second opinion, I began working with insurance to get the referral.  The office staff told me that I should focus on my health and that THEY would handle it all.  Within an hour, I had a call saying that it was all approved and set up.

Another area in which I differ from those life stories is my experience with insurance.  Now, do I always get the answers I want when I call insurance?  Nope!  Sometimes they say something is not covered.  Or a new prescription is a Tier 3 drug.  I don't always like what I hear.  However, never, and I mean NEVER, have I had an insurance associate treat me poorly.  They are always extremely kind.  If they don't know the answer my question, they seek out the answer and call me back in a timely fashion.

Today, I am thankful for the authors of these books.  I am thankful that they shared their stories.  In addition, I am thankful for my health providers and their staffs.  I am also thankful for my health insurance company and their employees.