23 September 2010
17 September 2010
The Price of PT and other things that aren't fair
Insurance: a necessary evil. So glad to have it, but maddened by limitations. And we have been pretty lucky so far. Considering all of the doctors visits and equipment, we haven't been denied much. But now we are being denied physical therapy, and Oli really needs it. Our only other option is to pay out of pocket, but at $156 per session (and that is the reduced rate) we just can't afford it.
On top of that, I'm now being told that our insurance is denying claims from October of last year. If that is true, we are in trouble, since he also had sessions in November and December. Why am I only finding this out now -- almost a whole year later?! If we have to pay that, it won't be pretty. Of course, the hospital billing department, which has been ridiculously unresponsive as I've repeatedly left messages over the last month, is again not returning my call. Between an inflexible insurance company and an unresponsive billing department, I'm not getting anywhere but frustrated.
The only good news on the PT front is that Oli started his PT lessons at school this week. His new school PT met with him in gym, and apparently they had a great time! He's been using the scooter and loving it. And he walks everywhere in school, which is such a new concept for him. However, he is really making a go of it. And to top it off, I just ordered his new equipment, which is forearm crutches. I'm a little intimidated by them, since they offer so much less support than his walker, but it would be GREAT if he could start to use them. We had started with them in his PT at Children's, but he hasn't used them since we stopped going a few weeks ago. With his own set, he will be able to take them to school PT and really get started.
Maybe I should send the insurance company this picture. Would you deny this little face?
On top of that, I'm now being told that our insurance is denying claims from October of last year. If that is true, we are in trouble, since he also had sessions in November and December. Why am I only finding this out now -- almost a whole year later?! If we have to pay that, it won't be pretty. Of course, the hospital billing department, which has been ridiculously unresponsive as I've repeatedly left messages over the last month, is again not returning my call. Between an inflexible insurance company and an unresponsive billing department, I'm not getting anywhere but frustrated.
The only good news on the PT front is that Oli started his PT lessons at school this week. His new school PT met with him in gym, and apparently they had a great time! He's been using the scooter and loving it. And he walks everywhere in school, which is such a new concept for him. However, he is really making a go of it. And to top it off, I just ordered his new equipment, which is forearm crutches. I'm a little intimidated by them, since they offer so much less support than his walker, but it would be GREAT if he could start to use them. We had started with them in his PT at Children's, but he hasn't used them since we stopped going a few weeks ago. With his own set, he will be able to take them to school PT and really get started.
Maybe I should send the insurance company this picture. Would you deny this little face?
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13 September 2010
School Days
School has officially begun in the Chewning household! I can hardly believe it, but the kids are entering their third week of school (and I use the term "week" loosely, b/c they have not had more than 2 days of school in a row yet). The verdict: they love it! Mac more than Oli, but I think they both enjoy their time out in the world. There was a lot of misinformation leading up to the first day of school, especially concerning Oli's programs, but once the first day came, it all worked beautifully.
Here is Mac showing off her back to school style. She was so happy with her Hello Kitty outfit and backpack. As a side note, I also would have enjoyed that outfit circa first or second grade. Everything old is new again!
Here are my two little ones getting ready for the bus. After much debate, we ultimately decided to let both of them take the bus. Unfortunately, they are on separate buses, but each seems to be enjoying his or her own ride. Right now, Oli is the only one on his bus. Hopefully, he will have other kids with him in the future.
Here is Mac getting on the bus. Even though I had prepared for the first day of school, I couldn't believe that I was actually expected to let them get on the bus on their own and then trust that they would get to school okay. It seemed unfathomable to me. Luckily, b/c of the bus/school wanted us to teach them about Oli's braces, we were actually told to follow the bus on the first day and get him on/off. When we pulled up to the school, there were buses everywhere! Once I found his bus, I also found the school social worker and Oli's teacher there waiting for him, too. Oli had a long way to walk, and almost got run over by the hordes of kids entering school. Luckily, they now are willing to drop Oli off in the back, where he has a shorter walk both outside and inside. So I was spared the agony of just putting them on the bus and letting them go until day 2.
Finally, here is Oli fresh home from his first day of school. Although he was not too verbally expressive about his day, he had a sort of confidence about him that told me he enjoyed himself. He asked for chocolate milk, and downed it like it was a shot. Then he slammed his cup down. It was pretty funny. He's just that kind of guy!
I'm very proud of my kids as they take this large step forward in their development. Although I am sad that this marks the end of their "baby era," it feels very right and natural that they should be going to school. I am so excited to see what this year brings, and the kids that they will become as a result.
Here is Mac showing off her back to school style. She was so happy with her Hello Kitty outfit and backpack. As a side note, I also would have enjoyed that outfit circa first or second grade. Everything old is new again!
Here are my two little ones getting ready for the bus. After much debate, we ultimately decided to let both of them take the bus. Unfortunately, they are on separate buses, but each seems to be enjoying his or her own ride. Right now, Oli is the only one on his bus. Hopefully, he will have other kids with him in the future.
Here is Mac getting on the bus. Even though I had prepared for the first day of school, I couldn't believe that I was actually expected to let them get on the bus on their own and then trust that they would get to school okay. It seemed unfathomable to me. Luckily, b/c of the bus/school wanted us to teach them about Oli's braces, we were actually told to follow the bus on the first day and get him on/off. When we pulled up to the school, there were buses everywhere! Once I found his bus, I also found the school social worker and Oli's teacher there waiting for him, too. Oli had a long way to walk, and almost got run over by the hordes of kids entering school. Luckily, they now are willing to drop Oli off in the back, where he has a shorter walk both outside and inside. So I was spared the agony of just putting them on the bus and letting them go until day 2.
Finally, here is Oli fresh home from his first day of school. Although he was not too verbally expressive about his day, he had a sort of confidence about him that told me he enjoyed himself. He asked for chocolate milk, and downed it like it was a shot. Then he slammed his cup down. It was pretty funny. He's just that kind of guy!
I'm very proud of my kids as they take this large step forward in their development. Although I am sad that this marks the end of their "baby era," it feels very right and natural that they should be going to school. I am so excited to see what this year brings, and the kids that they will become as a result.
20 August 2010
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Yesterday, we reached one of the mommy moments that I have been waiting for -- back to school shopping. To me, there is very little that is more exciting and satisfying than fresh notebooks, backpacks, and new pens. Since I came to terms with my inner nerd (and its not buried too deeply) about 30 years ago, I fully embrace back to school time and all that comes with it. As an aside, I am a little less enthusiastic now that it is my job, but I still enjoy the freshness of it all.
With both Mac and Oli starting school in a week and a half, Aunt Beth (one of the only other people in the world who gets as excited as I do about school -- not surprisingly, she is also a teacher) and I decided it was time to take the kids school shopping. I have been saving my 10% off coupon from Target, along with some coupons. Armed with the coupons and giddy excitement, we headed shopping...
We started out at Chipotle. Tim came along for that part. Delicious and successful. We were coming off of a horrible doctors appointment in which Oli got his dreaded MMR shot and Mac had to be restrained for her shot. So, lunch was a much needed break. Since we were at the mall, I decided to look for pants for work. Big mistake! Mac was so excited to go school shopping that she could not make it through my pants browsing. Into the car and over to Target.
Our first round of school shopping was not all I had hoped it would be. Mac way hyper, Beth and I were exasperated, and Oli just wanted to look in the "robot aisle." We loaded up our cart with the designated supplies (and then some), but the trip didn't quite feel right. We decided a trip to another, better Target, was in line.
It actually worked! Mac calmed down, Oli took a nap, and the next Target was much better. We finished up with a cinnamon pretzel and coffee. Mac played "kindergartner" while Beth and I enjoyed our coffee. Oli had a little trouble with his pretzel, but it was all okay in the end.
And here is a picture of just some of the spoils..
With both Mac and Oli starting school in a week and a half, Aunt Beth (one of the only other people in the world who gets as excited as I do about school -- not surprisingly, she is also a teacher) and I decided it was time to take the kids school shopping. I have been saving my 10% off coupon from Target, along with some coupons. Armed with the coupons and giddy excitement, we headed shopping...
We started out at Chipotle. Tim came along for that part. Delicious and successful. We were coming off of a horrible doctors appointment in which Oli got his dreaded MMR shot and Mac had to be restrained for her shot. So, lunch was a much needed break. Since we were at the mall, I decided to look for pants for work. Big mistake! Mac was so excited to go school shopping that she could not make it through my pants browsing. Into the car and over to Target.
Our first round of school shopping was not all I had hoped it would be. Mac way hyper, Beth and I were exasperated, and Oli just wanted to look in the "robot aisle." We loaded up our cart with the designated supplies (and then some), but the trip didn't quite feel right. We decided a trip to another, better Target, was in line.
It actually worked! Mac calmed down, Oli took a nap, and the next Target was much better. We finished up with a cinnamon pretzel and coffee. Mac played "kindergartner" while Beth and I enjoyed our coffee. Oli had a little trouble with his pretzel, but it was all okay in the end.
And here is a picture of just some of the spoils..
14 August 2010
Happy Birthday Oliver!
Oliver is three! For all of our work and worry, he is progressing very nicely. He can walk and talk. He has an amazing sense of humor and a sweet little personality that melts my heart every time. He is a true blessing, and I am so proud to be his mommy!
We decided to do his birthday a little differently this year. Usually, we have a traditional big birthday party. However, it is increasingly difficult to get everyone together, and our house increasingly needs work. Between extreme hot weather and extreme business, our backyard has gone from "overgrown" to "jungle."
So instead, we had an Oli day. First, we went to Toys R Us, and Oli was given free reign to pick whatever he wanted. A dangerous concept, I know, but he was really good about it. After some fun browsing and debate, Oli wound up going with some Super Hero Squad figurines and their helicopter headquarters. In the last few weeks, Oli has gone from a Cars guy to a Super Hero guy. I have to say, I think the SuperHeros are more fun.
Then, we went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Since a very fun trip with Aunt Beth a few weeks ago, the kids have been begging to go back. So we decided to go for dinner. Once there, Mac got her "unbirthday" gift -- a stuffed monkey she has been thinking about since our last trip.
The next morning, Oliver's real birthday, he woke up early and immediately asked for his new toy. We spent the rest of the day visiting some of his grandparents. Here is a video of Oli hauling in the Iron Man loot at Nanny and PopPops:
Then we went to grandma and grandpa's for dinner, and we still have a fun day of celebraton at the shore on Sunday. When all is said and done, we will have celebrated with three cakes, fun gifts, and lots of love!
We decided to do his birthday a little differently this year. Usually, we have a traditional big birthday party. However, it is increasingly difficult to get everyone together, and our house increasingly needs work. Between extreme hot weather and extreme business, our backyard has gone from "overgrown" to "jungle."
Then, we went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Since a very fun trip with Aunt Beth a few weeks ago, the kids have been begging to go back. So we decided to go for dinner. Once there, Mac got her "unbirthday" gift -- a stuffed monkey she has been thinking about since our last trip.
The next morning, Oliver's real birthday, he woke up early and immediately asked for his new toy. We spent the rest of the day visiting some of his grandparents. Here is a video of Oli hauling in the Iron Man loot at Nanny and PopPops:
Then we went to grandma and grandpa's for dinner, and we still have a fun day of celebraton at the shore on Sunday. When all is said and done, we will have celebrated with three cakes, fun gifts, and lots of love!
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