Medical Statements are boring. I am trying to think of other things, like this blog while I pick on some stitches that are irritating my chest wall, and reviewing my Blue Cross medical statements. Chest wall? Sounds like a strange body part doesn’t it. “How is your chest wall today?”
I have to call it something since Lefty is gone. I am left with the sunken crater. I may name it ‘chest wall’ – but I am suppose to think positive. Its hard to give a feminine name to ‘it’. Maybe I should have a contest…name the incision! It doesn’t look like an incision to me but I am told by my faithful wonderful surgeon that it will look better in time. But they sent me to a plastic surgeon, and I cannot remember one word he said. I wouldn’t even recognize him on the street if I seen him. but then, I don’t recognize many people. I am told not to worry, this too will go away. 
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Oh, Wednesday, I get an artificial replacement for Lefty. That is so I can look nice and acceptable in public. I will blog on that Thursday. Nobody want’s to see the crater. Not even me! It will make me sexy she said! Yes, right, sure.
(The sun just came out. Everyone in Seattle hurry to the window…Light rays..get em while they are hot).
Now you may think this is the most boring statement, but I can tell you that financially you need to review your statements. Okay, so I am four months behind on looking at the medical bills …the quick glance seemed to indicate the insurance was paying everything.
Enter the ‘annual out of pocket deductible’. This may seem odd also, like who gives a crap.. just give me the bottom,what do I owe? Well, it may not be that simple and when bills run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, its worth taking a look! Because, maybe many of them should be applied to another bucket and not your liability. I found four on the first page. So it pays to review those bills. Total savings today: $4,223.00
For example, I have a 6k out of pocket maximum per year. Okay I reached that long time ago. However, as I looked carefully at my statements, I had a 20K charge for a lumpectomy, and later a 14K charge from the hospital when I stayed over night (I was feeling like a rock star with room rates like that…who else would have money for a room like that?). I learned what an overnight stay is defined as – 24 hours. So if you have surgery at 6 am, and you get out of recovery at 11 am, and are moved to the room; they log when you enter the room. The trick is here getting out before the clock ticks 24 hours from the time you enter the room.
Waiting, its all about waiting. Virginia Mason is a great place to go to the hospital though while you wait. They provide nice computers, and internet access totally free. You can even apply for jobs there. I spent many days….well not many, three, using their system and searching for an IT job. I think their equipment is better than mine! and the best part, it’s free. Their response time is good to! Go Virginia Mason!
I wonder what would happen if all the homeless on Capital Hill found out about this place. It even has two bathrooms. Enter off 10th, 6th Floor Surgery waiting room. I won’t tell!
I have a slightly sick sense of humor in case you haven’t notice. I will try not to offend anyone but if I don’t laugh at this; I will freak out.
