Actually, I need more like a month. Technically, that might be what summer was, but I was still working then. I need a month where I don't have to think about anything but getting our house and lives in order. Specifically, I need a month to take care of business for Oli. I haven't done horribly; in the last few weeks I have ordered, gotten, and started using his cone enema. I have ordered and gotten his forearm crutches. I have talked to the insurance company twice, and left a few messages for the billing department at Children's Specialized (which never calls back). I have met with Case Management, a follow up service to early intervention. I have talked twice with his school physical therapist. But each of these items off of my list is just a link in the chain...there is so much more...and he needs me to get it done:
1. Medicaid: I need to get secondary insurance. We need SSI or Medicaid or something. I don't even know what -- that is how far outside of the process I am. I should have started the process a) when I knew Oli's benefit for PT was going to run out and b) when it was summer. But nope. When I met with Case Management last week, they gave me the number for our local SS office and DDS (disability services) and told me about a Medicaid loophole we might be able to use. In importance, this task rates a 10 out of 10. In terms of being confusing, this task rates a 10 out of 10. So it sits untouched, at both the top and bottom of my list. Since I am a master of both procrastination and denial, your guess is as good as mine as to when this will get done.
2. Ditto to DDS.
3. Figure out existing insurance: We are still working on an appeal for more PT visits for Oli. This one really isn't my fault -- Children's Specialized just got the August bills over for them to reject, so we could only kick off the appeal process in the last few days. I found out yesterday, and called Children's Specialized right away. Of course, Oli's therapist, who has to start the ball rolling, is away until 10/11, so this is something that stays on my plate.
4. Figuring out the cone enema: I might have bought it, but I have no idea how to use it. That's not entirely true -- I have tried it following the directions, but it isn't working out too well. I contacted CHOP and they gave me the contact information of a mom who loves the cone enema for her daughter. I need to find what I did with her email address and then e-mail her asking for help. I also need to contact the company and make sure it is latex free. The whole line is supposed to be, but it looks like there is a rubber band around the tip of ours. Of course.
5. Sign Oli up for swim lessons: or some sort of physical activity. He only gets school PT, no outpatient, and he needs something. The neurologist recommended swim way back over the summer, but Oli still isn't swimming. Add it to the list...
6. Get new AFOs: He has grown out of his little braces. But this should be easy. I made an appointment for next Tuesday. We just have to get there.
Did I mention the house? Laundry? Floors? Cobwebs?
Luckily, because I am a master of both procrastination and denial, we have still been doing our usual day to day stuff. School, work, dance, karate, church, shopping, going out, hanging out. And I know it is good to have balance. If I could just have a month where I didn't have to split my attention between work and home, I feel like I might be able to catch up. I think the best I can do is work on my balance, and realize that no matter what, all is way better than nothing.
02 October 2010
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..
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