Hi, Dr. Stoll!
In Reply to: Health Insurance posted by Joanne Pavia on October 10, 1998 at 01:27:44:
Sorry I cannot help. I'm in Alabama and fighting my own battles with a new HMO my company switched to when the old one left the state. An observation: Sounds like you won the battle, but lost the War! Sorry to hear about that. RocketHealer Jim++
In Reply to: Health Insurance posted by Joanne Pavia on October 10, 1998 at 01:27:44:
Joanne, This is FAR from being perfect, but Blue Cross now covers some of the alternative therapies including chiropractic, acupuncture, and osteopathy. There are limitations, but I have to give them some credit for responding to consumer demand. They do not cover massage or rolfing, but do cover extensive, and in my experience ineffective, physical therapy. Go figure. I guess we all have to keep making noise. good luck. Pam
In Reply to: Health Insurance posted by Joanne Pavia on October 10, 1998 at 01:27:44:
Hi, Joanne. I miss your input on our website. There are several companies that now cover what works instead of what the AMA wants any payments limited to. I have lost my file of them in moving but it sticks in my mind that "Golden Rule" is one of them. Most of them are based in CA. If you have any trouble finding them, call Bastyr University in Seattle and ask them for a list of companies. Bastyr is in the forefront of research proving the cost-effectiveness of alternate approaches and I know they would know. You MAY have to get in touch with their president to get them to take you seriously but you shouldn't. He is Joe Pizzarno, ND. If you get to talk to him tell him I said Hi. Their number is (206) 523-9585. Let us know what you learn so at least I can replentish my files. I just happened to think: there is another place that would know ----- HealthComm at the website www.healthcomm.com and at (800) 843-9660. Jeff Bland, PhD is the head man there. Tell him I said hello, too. Namaste` Walt
In Reply to: Health Insurance posted by Joanne Pavia on October 10, 1998 at 01:27:44:
Curious.....how did you get them to pay for rolfing?
In Reply to: Re: Health Insurance posted by Phyllis A. on October 12, 1998 at 11:19:27:
Phyllis -
In Reply to: Re: Health Insurance posted by Walt Stoll on October 11, 1998 at 09:22:20:
Dr. Walt -
In Reply to: Re: Health Insurance posted by Pam on October 10, 1998 at 14:47:22:
Pam -
In Reply to: Re: Health Insurance posted by Jim Marconnet on October 10, 1998 at 09:01:12:
Jim -
Haven't been here for a while - glad to see your site has been so well received. Congrats on filling a need, and doing it well. We miss you on Prodigy!
I'm going to have to find a new health insurance provider, after almost ten years with our current one, and would love to find one that includes "alternative" treatments - chiropractic, cranial osteopathic, acupuncture, perhaps even massage, etc. Does anyone know of a good company in southern California (Orange County), with fair rates?
The old company has tripled our rates, because of a change in location in our company's main office. Also, I think they got tired of fighting with me over claims for some of the above.
Thanks - Joanne
Follow Ups:
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Jim Marconnet on October 10, 1998 at 09:01:12:
Follow Ups:
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Pam on October 10, 1998 at 14:47:22:
Follow Ups:
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 11, 1998 at 09:22:20:
Follow Ups:
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Phyllis A. on October 12, 1998 at 11:19:27:
Follow Ups:
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Joanne Pavia on October 14, 1998 at 23:29:47:
To get my rolfing covered, my chiropractor wrote a prescription for it. After having the rolfing, the chiro wrote a follow-up on the improvement to my body. I submitted all of that to the insurance company. At first, they balked, but I dealt with a supervisor, and referred to a sub-clause in small print that possibly would include such treatments. She recommended resubmitting, and I asked her for a letter detailing what we discussed. I resubmitted, it was denied, I appealed, with a copy of her letter. It was then finally paid. This took quite a bit of time, with people not always available at the ins. co. by phone, messages left by me not returned, etc. However, in the long run, it was worth it.
- Joanne
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Joanne Pavia on October 14, 1998 at 23:32:19:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I WILL follow up, and will let you know what the results are. Won't be immediately, but I'll be back eventually.
- Joanne
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Joanne Pavia on October 14, 1998 at 23:33:46:
I didn't know Blue Cross was now covering these treatments! Will check with them as well when looking for a new company.
Thanks - Joanne
Re: Health Insurance
Posted by Joanne Pavia on October 14, 1998 at 23:39:18:
I've won a lot of battles with that insurance company, but that's not why we have to change. They are trying to switch all their plans to HMOs, greatly increasing the premiums of those who do not make the change. We opted to pay the higher premiums, for the same policy we'd always had. But less than a year later, our main office moved to a different state, where the premiums would then be TRIPLED, for all employees, no matter which state they live in. That was far more than we're willing to pay.
Good luck in YOUR battle!
- Joanne