Here is what I know:
Nurses, CNAs, PT, OTs and Drs are great! Most of the rules I helped write as a health care executive really....what is the technical word...suck for patients. I love, appreciate and miss my battle buddies from the hospitals --Linda and rehab--Diana, Joyce, June, Dante, etc. I feel like so much has happened since I went away. September 11th anniversary, a hurricane, floods.... On the health care front...the first encounter with the health insurance world involved my insurance company trying to send me to a nursing home (skilled nursing facility) versus active rehab. For those not in the feild, the SNF is a step down from inpatient care, but does not have intensive PT and OT, as in 3 hours per day. Knowing that I was going to be hopping for three months, I knew I needed intensive strengthening and conditioning--more than "this is how you move from a bed to a wheelchair and wheelchair to a walker." The rules are clearly written to favor those on Medicare, as in cost shifting for rehab from the private payor to the Medicare program. While I was not a candidate for three hours of therapy a day, I shared the gym with one old lady who could not even move from the wheelchair. I learned the value of filing an appeal of the decisions of the health care bureaucrats, like me! I learned that for those with cognitive impairments from accidents or cardiovascular events, how on earth do you expect the person or family to keep track of the bills and rulings and everything. I have high hopes for my auto insurance company who keeps asserting responsibility for all bills. Thank you! Every health care executive should have to live as a patient prior to making decisions. To the clients of my programs in my past...I apologize. I will catch-up!
