You may recall that I'm having a bad week. Which started on Thursday, the day after Farmer H left on his vacation out west, when I was SUPPOSED to be having a blissful life of leisure until his return. "NOT-HEAVEN, NO!" bellowed Even Steven, rubbing his hands together, before emitting a sinister, "Bwahaha!"
I'm not sure which end of this crap sandwich to start on. I'm dealing with The Pony's lameness. That's old hat by now. I lay out towels for his bath, which occurs on the side of the big triangle tub in the master bathroom. The Pony just can't quit that tub. I fetch him ice water in a jug, a metal insulated cup, and a plastic insulated mug. I prepare his food and carry it to the living room. I assist in the washing of his Samson-length hair every two to three days. I do his laundry and leave it in a basket for him to fold and shove out of sight. He seems to be off the ibuprofen now. So his care is becoming part of my routine. However...
THE PONY STILL HAS NO APPOINTMENT WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST!
That's right. It's been 7 days of broken ankle, and he's still in the brace and wrap put on at Urgent Care. He's getting the runaround from both Urgent Care and his boss. Each says they need something from the other, and in the meantime The Pony might be healing incorrectly. He's on the phone with both entities twice a day. When Farmer H returns, heads might roll. He's got an insider in the Department of Labor, or whatever it's called. This work injury is not being dealt with correctly. In fact, it doesn't seem to be being dealt with at all. I can't go into the details. It makes me too sad.
At the other end of my unappetizing plate, we have the $920 bill for anesthesia from Farmer H's medical procedure back in May. The one the clinic assured him was all approved. Every time he asked. Right up to getting on the table for some cutting. And several times since then. Assurance that they were following up with his supplemental insurance to remedy the matter. Well. The only entity that hasn't been getting updates is the one that is owed the money!
Anyhoo... I've been on the phone with a very polite rep from the anesthesia company (if that's what it's called) about our ordeal. My specifics matched up with what they'd been told. However, they've heard nothing since May. So at least there's a note in the file now. We have no problem with paying that bill IF WE ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE. If we are, it would mean that clinic did not do their job, but we'd deal with them in some way, after settling our debt. We wouldn't be happy about it, but that's how we do things around the Mansion. We pay our bills. Thing is, the clinic is stringing us along with tales of taking care of this matter. NOT telling us that we're stuck paying it because they messed up.
Oh, what a foul crap sandwich I cleave, when employers and clinics attempt to deceive...
Here. Let me slice you off a little piece. I'm willing to share my 7-day lunch with you.
No thanks, you can keep that sandwich all to yourself.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I remember of my surgeries, anaesthesia is always a separate cost from the actual surgery, but my insurance pays it all.
I do hope The Pony gets an appointment very soon, like later today or tomorrow. In my opinion he should have been seen to by now.
River,
ReplyDeleteOkay, if you insist! I was only trying to share my bounty.
Same here, but the problem is they kept telling Farmer H that THEY HAD PRE-APPROVAL from his insurance. When in reality, they were "working on" getting pre-approval. Supposedly they can remedy that after-the-fact, but they're not sending the insurance the correct documents. That's their story, and they're stickin' to it, for three months now.
Poor Pony! I weep daily for him. Not where he can see me, but because he is being jerked around between two agencies. Tonight he contacted his union shop steward about filing a grievance. It's a whole story in itself. Still no appointment in sight. Farmer H said to make one ourself, pay it, and deal with getting the money back through a lawsuit if we have to. The other broke-ankle worker got her cast on the third day. Thursday will be ONE WEEK from The Pony's workplace accident that broke his ankle.
This time I truly am sorry. I know once workmens's comp steps in, things get sticky... and not always satisfying.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, there's still the triangle tub. Maybe a new version of "Brokeback Mountain" will be made, but this time, it'll be The Pony and his tub... The Pony, who can't quit his triangle tub...
Sioux,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I get the TRULY sorry vibe, not the snarky sorry vibe. The Pony's problem is a perfect storm of a supervisor who knows what to do going on vacation the morning after his accident, the acting supervisor giving him the wrong forms, and the urgent care not stating specifically what was lacking in the paperwork. He contacted his union rep last night. She says The Pony has everything in order, and should expect a case number assigned by Friday, to see the ortho. That his continuation of pay, and a bill if he gets one from urgent care, will be taken care of.
The big triangle tub is trying to keep it on the down-low, but I think it also misses the regular trysts with The Pony.