Back in my past life (before I mumbled to myself and wore makeup and had adult conversations more than once a week), I worked for a hospital and did outpatient coding, outpatient surgery scheduling and the pre-authorizations for said surgeries. I didn't mind the job, really. I was pretty good at it - but the major frustration was ALWAYS dealing with the insurance companies. I absolutely hated them. I had nicknames for most of the companies and still use them in present conversation.

I get how frustrating they are to deal with, and I get how hard it is sometimes to schedule those procedures. You either get shafted by the insurance company or the hospital, or the surgeon changing it at the last minute. You are merely the messenger.

My son is having an outpatient procedure done.

First, we were scheduled for 11/15. Fine.

Then, a phone call a few days later saying that the insurance company considered FirstHospital out of network, so they'd have to move us to a different hospital, SecondHospital.

Second date given was 12/27. Fine.

A phone call yesterday from another woman at the doctor's office saying that now our insurance company had just issued a new statement saying FirstHospital would be in network after all, and would we be willing to move up our date? Yes, fine. Let's just get this over with!

Third date given - back to 11/15.

Yesterday, I am again scrambling. And why? Because I need to have my son visit the regular pedicatrician for a check-up visit. And it has to be a week before the procedure. I beg and plead my way into the doctor's office for a check-up. I make the appointment.

I make another appointment to meet with the patient representative at the first doctor's office this morning to go over pre-surgery information. I'm going to have to pony up some bucks for the balance. She only has a small window of time, so we'll have to race down the street to meet with her and make this happen.

Also, my husband (a surgeon) has had to move his cases around at least three times for 11/15. he usually starts early in the day, has plenty to do, and gets home late. To be there for HDToddler's procedure, he was moving the start time back so it wouldn't interefere. This is what pisses me off the most. Those patients are getting tossed around, and it's chapping my ass.

As we're getting ready to leave to the pre-surgery meeting this morning, she calls and says that it has been moved back to 12/27. The insurance company said our policy is seperate, and we're still not covered at FirstHospital. Don't you think you should have DOUBLE CHECKED that shit before you reschedule everything?? Good Lord! You are KILLING ME, Smalls!!

I about lost my shit.

As it stands now, we're going in on 12/27 at SecondHospital. And I'm hoping it doesn't change again!!

Song In My Head: Insurance Companies Blow by HDW and the Fuckoffanddiealready's