I haven’t checked, but I’m guessing mental healthcare is not well covered by my insurance policy. I assume this as United Healthcare is currently trying to push me over the edge, and clearly they don’t plan to foot the bill.

United Healthcare has denied our appeal of their denial of Connor’s helmet. Apparently, while some devices are covered, this helmet is an orthotic device intended to “change the shape of the body” and is specifically excluded. Soooo, it’s just a silly fashion statement I guess. Chris and I are just so ashamed of the flatness of the back of Connor’s head that…oh, no, wait a minute. His head shape didn’t particularly bother us. His neurologist recommended it, wrote the prescription, and his physical therapist and pediatrician concurred that it was good idea. Well, I’m no doctor, but I’m guessing they would have told me to buy him a hat at Target if they were just trying to create the new Gerber baby.

So here we go. Appeal number two, complete with letters of medical necessity. Bite me, United Healthcare. Thank you for continuing to waste my time. I also spoke highly of you throughout 2012 when Connor’s medical bills hit somewhere close to $400,000. Sure, we hit the out-of-pocket max and that sucked. But somehow, when looking at six-figures, a standard in our twisted healthcare system, $7,000 suddenly feels like pocket change. Even when I’m no longer working.

But  now you’ve left me focused on this $3,000 “fashion statement” and our substantial premiums we pay every month.

I found this as part of your Mission Statement on your website. Check it out:

Compassion

Walk in the shoes of people we serve and those with whom we work.

We believe:
In order to achieve the full potential of our enterprise in its purpose, to Help People Live Healthier Lives, we must fully understand and align with their needs and realities.

We value compassion:
We will walk in the shoes of people we serve and those with whom we work. We celebrate our role in serving people and society in an area so vitally human as their health. We must be truly compassionate and genuinely understand, feel and identify with their needs.

We behave:
We will actively listen to fully understand and genuinely empathize with people’s realities. We will then respond in service and advocacy for each individual, each group or community, and for society as a whole.

And may I add one more part? We will not add stress to the lives of people who have family members with chronic illnesses and health conditions.

You can help with this further by paying our doctors and hospitals in a timely manner. I don’t why it took almost a year to pay our neurologist for some of his services. I don’t know why when Connor first came home from the NICU, I received repeated phone calls from the hospital to call you and find out why you weren’t paying up. I didn’t need that.

Thanks and have a compassionate day.