Got Raj signed up for a different set of Medicare benefits for 2012. Instead of Parts A & B with Humana Medicare Advantage in 2011, I'm going with Parts A, B, D and F. So far, the prescription plan (D) got processed, we've received the Member ID & card, and they've even processed my POA so I can communicate with the Community CCRx on Raj's behalf. With Humana, these processes took 3 months! We'll see what happens when I try to fill the first prescription, which is waiting for me at Osco.
Hopefully, BCBS-IL will be a good choice for a High-Deductible Plan F. Since the first set of expenses just go toward the deductible, parallel to base Medicare, I'm not worried that this coverage isn't in place immediately.
High on the list of what's needed is a hospital bed for Raj. With his knees so rigid, he literally crashes into the single bed we have there for him, and it can't handle the impact. Because of the reflux, he should sleep with his head elevated anyway, and this bed will address that, as well.
The patient advocate assigned to help me with the backlog of 2011 Humana claims is working on the first one; We'll see if someone internal to that organization can make any progress!
Raj was home for Christmas-gift opening several days ago, and he was cooperative. His coughing was almost constant, though, so he's not remembering what the speech therapist taught him.
I heard back from one of the two life insurance companies I applied with today. I need the cash, so I'm planning to surrender my VUL and replace it with basic term insurance. I haven't seen how my physical exam turned out, but I was surprised to be quoted at the "Standard" rate. I have no chronic conditions or diagnoses, am experiencing pretty normal "female" stuff through a long peri-menopause, and take one prescription to manage those symptoms. I keep up with regular massage and all shots/tests/labs/maintenance/dental/eye stuff, and take supplements for optimal health . I haven't had a cold or flu in years, BP is great, and my only ER visits were 7/2009 (bad headache after cushioning one of Raj's falls with my whole body on a concrete floor) and 9/2011 (tripped while walking the dog & had sore wrist X-rayed). Hopefully, the other insurance company will come through with a better rating.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Contact Made!
I finally heard back from the new psychiatrist at Raj's facility, and he's making the necessary med changes to (hopefully) avert mania. Apparently, Dr. G reduced the main mood stabilizer due to his liver counts. Raj had mixed up this information, and requested dropping one med while starting another. Now I think we're on the right track with those meds and liver counts are OK at the moment. Also, I followed up with his PCP on the new cholesterol med & reminded her to run labs on that. I even had an initial conversation with Dr. G's billing rep, and was assigned a "Humana Cares" representative to help me with the backlog of claims that they keep denying! Merry Christmas to me!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Mania?
Raj's mood has been stable for so long, I know I should be grateful. But his new psychiatrist hasn't ever spoken to me directly, so when he asks the "kid" about the "candy store", the kid certainly isn't going to tip his hand. For the past couple of weeks, Raj has been increasingly irritable and demanding. I don't know how long it's been, but my only medical contact for his care at the assisted living facility (Nurse Judy) lost her job. All I have for the on-site psychiatrist is an email address, so I sent him a message tonight regarding Raj's symptoms and clarifying various med changes. I hope it's not too late to prevent a full-blown manic attack and/or hospitalization . . .
Maybe he's right. I do the best I can as his caregiver and Power of Attorney, but he's saying (again) that I'm just not doing well enough. He's miserable and wants out of that facility right now. The grass is always greener (blah, blah). We've gone through this more times than I can count; Each time, I wonder if I can endure yet another round. I tell myself that there's no one else to take this responsibility, that he doesn't intend to lash out at the kids and me, that this phase of aggression/lying/complaining will eventually pass . . . but it takes a lot of energy and constant vigilance to erect and enforce the necessary boundaries to protect my sanity and safety.
Lord, help me to focus more on the good that is all around me, and less on everything else.
Maybe he's right. I do the best I can as his caregiver and Power of Attorney, but he's saying (again) that I'm just not doing well enough. He's miserable and wants out of that facility right now. The grass is always greener (blah, blah). We've gone through this more times than I can count; Each time, I wonder if I can endure yet another round. I tell myself that there's no one else to take this responsibility, that he doesn't intend to lash out at the kids and me, that this phase of aggression/lying/complaining will eventually pass . . . but it takes a lot of energy and constant vigilance to erect and enforce the necessary boundaries to protect my sanity and safety.
Lord, help me to focus more on the good that is all around me, and less on everything else.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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