Sick since October 2008. I live in RI. After seeing every specialist in the area and getting nowhere, saw an LLMD in Mass today. I have been diagnosed clinically with Lyme. Although labwork is pending, MD wants me to begin aggressive IV therapy because symptoms are mimicing ALS. I know have the task of finding an IV homecare agency, a place to have a PICC line inserted, fight with insurance to cover all of this as well as get my doctor to help me apply for TDI in RI for a short time. All while taking care of 2 small children. I am overwhelmed! If anyone out there is from RI and can point me in the right direction please IM me. I would be greatful for any assistance. Thanks!!
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
(hi, I am breaking this into paragraphs for some who have trouble with text.) While waiting for a response, maybe try to contact support groups in your area. Also, if your GP is supportive, maybe he/she knows the answer to the picc line insertion and also home infusion.
Insurance problems: BettyG has something in her info packet about appeals, including a sample letter.
North -------------------------------
Sick since October 2008. I live in RI. After seeing every specialist in the area and getting nowhere, saw an LLMD in Mass today. I have been diagnosed clinically with Lyme. Although labwork is pending, MD wants me to begin aggressive IV therapy because symptoms are mimicing ALS.
I know have the task of
finding an IV homecare agency,
a place to have a PICC line inserted,
fight with insurance to cover all of this as well as
get my doctor to help me apply for TDI in RI for a short time.
All while taking care of 2 small children. I am overwhelmed!
If anyone out there is from RI and can point me in the right direction please IM me. I would be greatful for any assistance. Thanks!! -------------------------------------------------
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
ricco,
yes, click on my newbie package link at top of MEDICAL or my link below....but on that one; you need to page UP to get to top of it! sorry!
i just copied this from my info for you to save you time this time:
California Lyme Disease Association, CALDA has a very handy form letter to send to insurance companies that deny you care. It was written by someone who has a lot of experience in dealing with denial of care for lyme.
You go to the link I have below, read through the brief description, then download the forms. Add your personal information and the insurance companies address, and presto, you have a good letter.
Be sure to cc your state's attorney general. They are increasingly becoming involved in cases where insurance companies deny care to sick people. Added 2.3.0907
INSURANCE HELP FOR APPEALS from SARAH aka californialyme 11-07 Another good site for insurance help is HARP.org run by an oncologist who got a JD (became a lawyer) because he was tired of his patients being shafted in their treatment because of insurance companies, specifically HMOs for him. He knows ALL about Lyme- his name is Harvey Frey and he is actually a family friend (if you write him from his site tell him Karen Leonards daughter Sarah told you to write hiM!)(that's me*)!
He helped the Lyme patients going after Kaiser as much as able- he won't be your lawyer but we can help you figure out what to do sometimes!!!
from ANN-OHIO There is tons of good info at the site mentioned below,. this is the home page http://www.patientrights.com/index.html It was put together by a Michigan law firm and is one of the best I have ever seen
also, try this for getting help from RI folks about this procedure to get you started, etc.
People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.
The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately. *******************************************
good luck! Posted by Melodymaker (Member # 16434) on :
Wow, maybe things are different with our doctor here in FL.
We didn't have to make any arrangments for picc line or home therapy. Our doctor's office make all those arrangements for us.
Could you have misunderstood them? Perhaps you could call and ask them before proceeding.
Great info Betty, and thanks to North for breaking up the post.
Posted by Tick Tock (Member # 15948) on :
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