Reimbursement in Massachusetts?

December 3, 2008

,

my name is Lloyd Stern and the article in Monday's Boston Globe which

you commented on featured my son, Noah, and wife, Abby. Is

Massachusetts one of the 20 states who reimburse for HBOT? Any tips

on obtaining private insurance reimbursement (we have Blue Cross)?

thanks,

Lloyd

December 3, 2008

Hey Lloyd,

First of all, welcome to the listserv.

Second, please read through all the pdf files you received upon joining the

group. They go a long way toward explaining the purpose and goals of this group

and how to achieve those goals.

Third, private insurance can change their policy rules anytime they want--for

any reason. Medicaid is Federal law, and it is not subject to arbitrary

compliance or noncompliance. Medicaid gives your child legal rights that

insurance simply does not.

A few years ago there was a NJ dad who put together a great legal argument

against Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He lost the hearing simply because BC/BS can, in

the end, do whatever it wants.

The same is not true with Medicaid. I would encourage you to pursue

Medicaid--win there--then go against BC/BS. You'll be far more likely to win

against BC/BS at that point.

But keep asking questions.

Speaking of which, do you know if the Globe reporter--SI Rosenbaum--is related