Question:
Hi. I’m new here. Figured I’d introduce myself and ask a couple questions at the same time. :) I was severely injured in an auto accident in Sept 95. I’m still in full-time (4 days/wk+) assorted therapies. :( My auto insurance carrier is paying most of the bills. Until now. The "rehab" doc they sent me to for 20 minutes claims I’ll be totally cured on April 8. How about that? My docs (some of the best in the state) who see me anywhere from monthly to 2X a week, know nothing. This guy knows it all. And he didn’t even touch me! He must be psychic. The ins. co. says to reduce my therapies. My docs say continue and fight. I’m caught in the middle…racking up $2,000+ a week in bills I can’t pay. Now, I’ve had the thrill of being evaluated by the 3rd doc in the past couple months. The one that prompts this note was last Friday. I spent almost 3 hours with the psychiatrist from hell. It was a nightmare! I’ve been evaluated by SocSec docs, my own psychiatrists/psychologists, and 2 previous psychiatrists from the ins. co. None of them treated me as poorly as did the bozo last week! :( He used everything I said against me, he wasn’t the least bit interested in anything that’s happening in my life right now, I doubt he’s heard of ptsd or pain or closed-head injuries. He only wanted to discuss my childhood, teen years etc.. He even went so far as to ask me if my husband ever had an affairs or if any of my siblings had ever been arrested, etc.. If you can figure out what bearing these have on my ability to rehabilitate from an auto accident you’re smarter than I am. He also fought with me because I didn’t know the date! I learned that "EVERYONE knows the date" but me of course. <g> Anyway, I’m figuring some of you must have had to endure this type of indignity? Have you successfully managed to fight "hired-gun" docs who exist solely to make you look like a malingering psychopath just trying to spend the insurance co’s $$? These docs seem to think the thrill of daily (often painful) therapies, countless hours in doctor’s offices/waiting rooms, constant pain and the ultimate reward of a whopping $514/month from Social Security is inhibiting my ability to heal. Certainly more than enough to make the average person willing to chuck their career, grab a fist full of meds in one hand and a cane in the other and setoff to enjoy the "good life". Ha! I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy…on 2nd thought…I probably would. Catch me in a bad mood. <g> Sorry for rambling, I’m still very disgusted. As if I don’t have enough BS going on in my life, they need to find ways to create more! 
Do you have as much difficulty as I do when life isn’t fair? When people are disagreeable, punitive, inept &/or downright spiteful? I’m beginning to understand why people take guns and climb towers. <g> Geeeeeez! If I wasn’t nuts to start out with they’d certainly have me there now! I’d appreciate any suggestions as to how to manage this better. Thanks Cindy in MI
Response:
In article <38903BD4.FB4AA…@home.com>, ckd <notusua…@home.com> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi. I’m new here. Figured I’d introduce myself and ask a couple > questions at the same time. :) > I was severely injured in an auto accident in Sept 95. I’m still > in > full-time (4 days/wk+) assorted therapies. :( My auto insurance > carrier is paying most of the bills. Until now. > The "rehab" doc they sent me to for 20 minutes claims I’ll be > totally > cured on April 8. How about that? My docs (some of the best in > the > state) who see me anywhere from monthly to 2X a week, know nothing. > This guy knows it all. And he didn’t even touch me! He must be > psychic. The ins. co. says to reduce my therapies. My docs say > continue and fight. I’m caught in the middle…racking up $2,000+ > a > week in bills I can’t pay. > Now, I’ve had the thrill of being evaluated by the 3rd doc in the > past > couple months. The one that prompts this note was last Friday. I > spent > almost 3 hours with the psychiatrist from hell. It was a > nightmare! > I’ve been evaluated by SocSec docs, my own > psychiatrists/psychologists, > and 2 previous psychiatrists from the ins. co. None of them > treated me > as poorly as did the bozo last week! :( > He used everything I said against me, he wasn’t the least bit > interested > in anything that’s happening in my life right now, I doubt he’s > heard of > ptsd or pain or closed-head injuries. He only wanted to discuss my > childhood, teen years etc.. He even went so far as to ask me if my > husband ever had an affairs or if any of my siblings had ever been > arrested, etc.. If you can figure out what bearing these have on > my > ability to rehabilitate from an auto accident you’re smarter than > I am. > He also fought with me because I didn’t know the date! I learned > that > "EVERYONE knows the date" but me of course. <g> > Anyway, I’m figuring some of you must have had to endure this type > of > indignity? Have you successfully managed to fight "hired-gun" > docs who > exist solely to make you look like a malingering psychopath just > trying > to spend the insurance co’s $$? > These docs seem to think the thrill of daily (often painful) > therapies, > countless hours in doctor’s offices/waiting rooms, constant pain > and the > ultimate reward of a whopping $514/month from Social Security is > inhibiting my ability to heal. Certainly more than enough to make > the > average person willing to chuck their career, grab a fist full of > meds > in one hand and a cane in the other and setoff to enjoy the "good > life". Ha! I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy…on 2nd > thought…I > probably would. Catch me in a bad mood. <g> > Sorry for rambling, I’m still very disgusted. As if I don’t have > enough BS going on in my life, they need to find ways to create > more! > > Do you have as much difficulty as I do when life isn’t fair? When > people are disagreeable, punitive, inept &/or downright spiteful? > I’m > beginning to understand why people take guns and climb towers. <g> > Geeeeeez! If I wasn’t nuts to start out with they’d certainly > have me > there now! > I’d appreciate any suggestions as to how to manage this better. > Thanks > Cindy in MI
Cindy, I’m so sorry. There’s good news in your post. You live in Michigan, which has one of the best Mental Health Codes in the country. The first step I would recommend is to contact the organization Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services at 1-800-288-5923. They will help you find a lawyer to fight this kind of abuse. Alternately, you can contact a lawyer to help you fight this. Most of them will not charge you money until you win, and then they take a percentage of what you win. You also have the right to file a recipient rights complaint against the doctor. The right that has been violated is Dignity and Respect. MPAS will help you file the complaint if you’re not able to do it yourself, or you can have a friend or therapist help. You can request a hearing in front of a judge to appeal the decision of the insurance company. Get as much documentation in advance as you possibly can, from your treating providers. You are correct that they know you much better than some hired gun. Don’t give up. This is a fight you can win. Surround yourself with people who can help you, then let them do their job and focus on healing. The doctor that told you "everyone" knows the date is wrong. On my best day, I don’t know the date. I know tons of people (who would be considered normal) who don’t always know the date. Don’t let this toad’s opinion throw you. He’s working for an insurance company because he couldn’t make it in private practice. Keep that in mind whenever you have dealings with these type of people. Email me if you need more help. I’m very well versed in Michigan Mental Health Code. Risa * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
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