I don't know if this belongs in the lobby or under health care. It's not a rant, not asking for sympathy, just a little person in the world trying to fight my insurance company.

Here it goes. In November 2003, I was issued a medical piece of equipment by my speciality doctor and my insurance said they would pay for it, http://meniett.com/ This little machine literally gave me my life back. The insurance then said they wouldn't pay for it and $4K came out of our pockets. We wrote 14 appeals, Tricare conveniently put it on the back burner when my spouse was in Iraq in 2005. The lawyer we were appealing to perjured himself, we asked him to be removed, he was removed, it was reassigned to someone else, and the case ended back into hands of the original lawyer. He is one of those lawyers that give all lawyers a bad rap.

On March 23, 2007, we travel to San Diego, CA, to appeal the decision in front of a judge for Tricare to pay for the meniett pump. Medtronic, who makes the meniett pump, is providing me with free legal council, my spouse is a gov't lawyer but can't represent me, conflict of interest, expert testimony by doctors, and Medtronic itself for my behalf.

Here's the kicker. Tricare will pay for me to have a $10K surgery, but won't pay for a $4K non-invasive medical equipment THAT WORKS. I am really anti-surgery, it's not 100% effective and I use prescription meds as a last resort.


So, please send positive thoughts/prayers/whatever you do would be appreciated for all Tricare beneficiaries. I am not testifying just for myself but for all beneficiaries that fall under Tricare. It's not longer about the $4K that we shelled out back in 2003, but about principal of our insurance allowing us to seek non-invasive treatments vs radical surgery.

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Ephesians 5:15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyR41JbpL_g

ladyofmts, I have read about this disease, and the surgical treatment of it. I support your decision to avoid surgery. Only go there as a last resort. You are another example that insurance companies only care about their bottom lines. That the sugery can actually make your condition much worse is of no consequence to them. Its cheaper. You have my best wishes. I hope you win. People do, but it takes a lot of work, and a lot of time.

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'' When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis

Lady, you have my prayers that you win. It really shouldn't be up to the insurance companies what type of treatment you receive.

Freedom, I agree with you but the inusrance lobby contributes to both sides and this issue will not be solved unless we get elected officals to stop taking their money.

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An informed voter scares the Goverment lackeys.

An American first and always a Conservative.

HeyJude; thanks. I was dx'd when I was 12, improperly dx'd since age 3 with eplipsy. (I had a severe allergic reaction to the small pox vaccination at 3)So, I've lived with it longer with it than not having it. I just can't imagine the insurance company thinking that brain surgery is a more attractive option than a non-invasive medical equipment. Truly mind boggling.

Freedom; thank you.

Rob; We have learned a tremendous amount about Tricare and the lawyers that represent them at Tricare Management Activity level, TMA=appeal process. It shames my husband to be a lawyer. I really don't know what the answer is at this point, if lobbying would even help.

The hearing has been moved to April 20. Medtronic is having a Navy doctor testify and a signature is needed by a 2 star who is on travel. Medtronic chose a Navy doctor because he doesn't receive any kick backs for prescribing the Meniett like civvie docs do. It works out well that the date has been changed since our daughter had a very recent appendectomy anyway. It's been a 3 year battle, what's another month?

__________________
Ephesians 5:15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyR41JbpL_g