MEDICARE DECISIONS

After visiting MAYO this week, I am teetering on which direction to move at this point. I've dealt with bureaucracy all my working days.  Sometimes I actually have been able to accomplish goals by circumventing the "red tape."  Sometimes not.

Even coming close to understanding the Medicare system is beyond my expertise of knowledge.  That is where I find myself now-trying to accept their decisions on when, where, why, what, where, and certainly not the how.  Medicare will pay for my pre-op and post-op care at the Jacksonville clinic.  The surgery MUST BE PERFORMED in Rochester, MN at a cost of about $150,000.  I must pay to fly there, stay in a hotel for the week after, and fly back after the surgery to have the post-op done at JAX.  And, I have to have someone with me. They don't even do the lesser expensive surgery in Rochester, which is what my doctor is recommending.  In addition to that, they do not have, at this time, a doctor that does the surgery at their location.

In JAX the cost of the operation my doctor wants to do is $20,000.  I still have to stay in a hotel near by for a week because of the post-op care, but I would not have to fly there. I still have to have someone with me, but I have a better chance of getting someone to stay with me here than going to MN for a week.  MAYO doesn't offer in- hospital care after surgery at either location.

NOW - someone explain to me why MEDICARE has to charge an approximate $130,000 additional fee for a surgery that is more invasive, not recommended by my doctor, and more expensive for me?  This just does not make sense to me.  Is this why people cannot afford insurance?  I am beyond frustrated and confused.

The Week That Was

Being blessed is so totally neat.  My friend Vicki, came over from Pasco late Monday and stayed until Wed.  Spent the day at EPCOT, ate our way around the 29 Kiosks that are there now, and went to "Eat to the Beat" on Tuesday evening.   Hanson is not one of my groups, but being with friends is so much more special that it was worth staying for the concert.  I rested Thursday, and today I am privileged to have another friend here today. We're going to Houstons in Winter Park for lunch.  It is always great to be with Ruth.  I'm excited about her visit.

Tomorrow Dean is bringing his Men's Group and Mock is letting them into EPCOT about 10:00, while Vicki is coming back to see another friend, Margaret, who is flying into OIA on her way to a cruise.  We get to take her to Titusville so we'll have some time to "catch up." Wow.  What a busy and joyous week.  Thank you God.