Coverage
The past few days have been really good. I saw a physical therapist on Wednesday for training about lymphedema. The information about this really lousy, lingering post-surgical threat is conflicting and confusing. Mostly, there just hasn't been substantial research about what exactly causes it, how to predict if it will happen, and how to prevent it from happening. They say never to lift anything heavy, limit exercise, and generally protect your hand and arm from cuts and scratches and insect bites, etc (for the rest of your life). But they also say that exercise is good, weight gain is bad, and that you should try to live your life as you normally would. It's terribly confusing.
Probably the best information that the PT had for me was to tell me that there is a bra shop in Paoli that specializes in fitting women who've had breast cancer surgery. So yesterday, mom and I headed out to Annabella's where the owner, Amy (a breast cancer survivor) helped find some good bras to, ahem, even things out (Dr. Tchou removed more tissue than I'd thought - and there wasn't that much to begin with!). What's more, Amy told me that my insurance company actually COVERS the purchase of four bras and four camis. Who knew?? How exciting. It just took breast cancer and surgery to finally get some free lingerie.
And speaking of insurance, just out of curiosity, I googled the cost of a single shot of Neulasta, the superdrug that is helping boost my WBC count. Average price = $2,700. For ONE injection! Covered by Keystone one hundred percent.
However, before you start thinking, "Wow, Keystone is awesome!", I called them up yesterday to see if they would cover any of the cost of my cranial prosthesis, because tomorrow I am getting my head shaved and having my too-dark and unruly hair replaced with a beautiful long, straight, brown wig. Said wig is not covered at all. Huh. They cover bras but not wigs? Doesn't that seem kind of random? I suppose they argue that a wig is not medically necessary. Whatever. I'll just take another shot of Neulasta, thank you.
Probably the best information that the PT had for me was to tell me that there is a bra shop in Paoli that specializes in fitting women who've had breast cancer surgery. So yesterday, mom and I headed out to Annabella's where the owner, Amy (a breast cancer survivor) helped find some good bras to, ahem, even things out (Dr. Tchou removed more tissue than I'd thought - and there wasn't that much to begin with!). What's more, Amy told me that my insurance company actually COVERS the purchase of four bras and four camis. Who knew?? How exciting. It just took breast cancer and surgery to finally get some free lingerie.
And speaking of insurance, just out of curiosity, I googled the cost of a single shot of Neulasta, the superdrug that is helping boost my WBC count. Average price = $2,700. For ONE injection! Covered by Keystone one hundred percent.
However, before you start thinking, "Wow, Keystone is awesome!", I called them up yesterday to see if they would cover any of the cost of my cranial prosthesis, because tomorrow I am getting my head shaved and having my too-dark and unruly hair replaced with a beautiful long, straight, brown wig. Said wig is not covered at all. Huh. They cover bras but not wigs? Doesn't that seem kind of random? I suppose they argue that a wig is not medically necessary. Whatever. I'll just take another shot of Neulasta, thank you.
posted by Rachel Troxell at 8:14 AM
2 Comments:
Amazing how you've exchanged one career for another. Of course your other career paid YOU..... Being a professional patient causes the money to flow in the opposite direction. Advice: Try to get back to your first career ASAP!!!!!
Hi there rachel,
happened across your blog by doing a search on feedster...I have lymphedema and have done lots of research on it, if you find that you want more information, there is a huge online community avail to you! The most informative site is: www.lymphedemapeople.com.
Good luck on your journey to wellness!!!
Julie E.
aka coyote
http://coyotedreamin.blogspot.com/
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