More love for medical insurance

On Treatment
Written By Liz Salmi

In May I went to see a neuro-oncologist for a second opinion at UCSF. I wasn't seeking a second opinion because I had issues with Kaiser, I just thought it would be a good idea to see what another neuro-oncologist thought of my situation. I (or rather, The Liz Army Fund) had to pay out of pocket for the office visit but it was was money well spent as it gave me much piece of mind.

I also gave UCSF some tissue leftover from my last brain surgery so their pathology department could do an analysis separate from Kaiser. And, good news, their findings were the same as Kaiser. Great.

Yesterday I received a bill for the pathology work at UCSF. Guess how much? $803.60.

I was floored. At Kaiser I never see a bill for this kind of stuff--it's just covered as part of my plan.

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
Previous

A long day
Next

I think, therefore I am