We got a thick packet from Medicare today, all the charges I've accrued since the beginning of this thing. It's a very enlightening look into our health care system. Some of the charges seem reasonable while others seem excessive to say the least. And Medicare approves anywhere from ten percent or less to one-half or more or the provider's charges. For example, Amount Charged $3623.00, Medicare Approved $556.55. Or, Amount Charged $1361.00, Medicare Approved $262.23. I'm not sure of the rhyme or reason behind it all, why there's such a disconnect between what the providers charge and Medicare approves (and why some of the charges are so high in the first place), but I'm just glad I don't have to pay for it. What does a person without any health insurance do? Not get sick? I guess that would work, but it seems a little chancy to me.
Tomorrow we head up to Boston again, this time for a PET scan. It's a mid-course check to see what's left of the cancer (hopefully none). Either way, I have to finish the last two chemo cycles. I had my "last meal" tonight, steak (grilled, no sauce or rub of any kind) and eggs (scrambled, no milk, cooked in butter). Nothing else, no toast, ketchup, salsa, veggies, salad, fruit, nothing. But tomorrow is worse. Breakfast will be a bottle of PrepScan (I haven't tasted it yet but I'm sure it will be disgusting). Lunch will be the same. And that's all the food (if you can call it that) until after the scan is done. The PET scan will be at 2 PM, after which we're going to head home to Lenox for a few days.
After a couple of days of feeling not so great, low energy, low appetite, some nausea, I'm feeling fine again, lots of energy, and eating everything in sight. And I still haven't lost any more hair. I'm pretty sure now that I've lost all I'm going to lose. But I still look like a cartoon zombie figure when I wake up in the morning.
We had another busy weekend. Jen, our youngest, took the train up from Brooklyn Friday and stayed through Sunday. The kids spent the day with us Saturday so they and their auntie had a lot of quality time together. That night Chef Nancy cooked up a dinner feast for everyone. Sunday we visited at their house and everyone came back to the condo for a leftovers lunch. We hated to see Jen go, as did the kids, but we'll see her, and the rest of the family, in New Jersey for Easter. I can't wait.
To help clarify, the rates of reimbursement are appauling and are based upon contracts that are established between the insurance and the provider. Insurance companies continue to decrease the rate of reimbursement to the medical facilities and providers. Many times the rates are much lower than the actual costs of the test, exams, etc. When certain practices feel that reimbursement rates get too low, they will no longer accept that form of insurance. They cannot come out even and would take a loss if they accepted that contract. This is why many practices are now considering not taking Medicare patients. If you want to discuss more, we are happy to!
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