Re: Special insurance services

[Guest guest]

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this

country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

What that means is you'll be paying lots more money for it.

----- Original Message ----- From: R Mccardell

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 5:09 PM

Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

That really sucks. Dont you wonder who gets to choose what goes on the list? Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

What that means is you'll be paying lots more money for it.

----- Original Message ----- From: R Mccardell

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 5:09 PM

Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this

country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

Really. If you go over the drug lists carefully, you'll see that most of it is determined by cost, which is linked to how long the drug has been on the market. The newer ones are most expensive, and therefore the ones most likely to be on the highest list.

----- Original Message ----- From: R Mccardell

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 5:21 PM

Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

That really sucks. Dont you wonder who gets to choose what goes on the list? Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

What that means is you'll be paying lots more money for it.

----- Original Message ----- From: R Mccardell

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 5:09 PM

Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

Sure, the insurance company saves money with programs like that, Sierra,

but, from the reports I've read, overall, patient satisfaction,

compliance, and outcomes are all higher for those who participate.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] " Special " insurance services

>

> Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> participate in a special program because of my " complex " (read:

> expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all of

> my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questions

> or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I being

> too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving measure "

> written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrong

> with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trained

> to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. It

> was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it feels a

> bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

>

> I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due to

> the sick health care system in this country.

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

Sure, the insurance company saves money with programs like that, Sierra,

but, from the reports I've read, overall, patient satisfaction,

compliance, and outcomes are all higher for those who participate.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] " Special " insurance services

>

> Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> participate in a special program because of my " complex " (read:

> expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all of

> my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questions

> or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I being

> too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving measure "

> written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrong

> with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trained

> to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. It

> was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it feels a

> bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

>

> I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due to

> the sick health care system in this country.

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

I am caregiver for a friend that has multiple medical problems. She has gotten the same type call before. With her, they are trying to find ways to not have to pay for "unwarranted" medical care.

My advice: don't do it. It was a very big hassle for her.

Hugs, Jacy

~I don't approve of political jokes; I've seen too many get elected.

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: snowdrift52003 [mailto:snowdrift52003@...]Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 14:16Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: "Special" insurance servicesJust got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

Usually when something isn't on an insurance company's formulary, you can still get it, but you have to pay for it yourself. Not right, but there it is.

Hugs, Jacy

~I don't approve of political jokes; I've seen too many get elected.

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: R Mccardell [mailto:rmmardell@...]Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 15:10Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

Subject: RE: "Special" insurance services

Usually when something isn't on an insurance company's formulary, you can still get it, but you have to pay for it yourself. Not right, but there it is.

Hugs, Jacy

~I don't approve of political jokes; I've seen too many get elected.

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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Want a signature like this?

-----Original Message-----From: R Mccardell [mailto:rmmardell@...]Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 15:10Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: "Special" insurance services

I was on the same program when I had Humana. Now I have Atena and they just sent me a letter letting me know that beginning 2005 they are taking Remecade off the preferred list Im not sure if this means I wont be covered for it anymore or if I have to get special approval each time I get it.

Rhonda

Hasenstab <saludo@...> wrote:

I have something like that through Humana. I was suspicious at first, but the nurse who calls me is really nice, and doesn't try to steer me towards low-cost drugs or alternatives at all. She comes off as pretty neutral -- I'd never know she was connected with Humana if I didn't already know it<g>.

Obviously, anything like that is a cost-cutting measure, but I suspect it's more along the lines of making sure people get early treatment for things before they get out of control healthwise and financially.

----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 4:16 PM

Subject: "Special" insurance services

Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me toparticipate in a special program because of my "complex" (read:expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all ofmy personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nursemonitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questionsor concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I beingtoo much of a cynic by thinking that this has "cost saving measure"written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrongwith that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been trainedto systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. Itwas kind of freaky to be "targeted" for this service, and it feels abit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due tothe sick health care system in this country.Sierra

[Guest guest]

Sierra,

That type of program is called 'case management', and yes it does,

in the end, have cost savings as the goal. However, the way case

management is supposed to work is that members who have chronic

illness are monitored and tracked to ensure that they are complying

with the various therapies that have been prescribed, because that

will save costs down the line. The goal is not to cut back on or

change what your doctor prescribes, but to ensure that you comply

with it, and have someone to talk with if you have questions.

For example, if through the program a diabetic gets better at

testing their blood, taking their medication, eating correctly and

exercising, they will avoid or cut down on the need for

hospitalization.

Most of these programs concentrate on diabetes, asthma, and

congestive heart failure, because there's a clear cost benefit to

keeping them healthy and out of the hospital. This is the first

time I've heard of an insurance company doing this for somone with

RA. But when you think about it, if we get agressive therapy early

on, and stick with it, then we are less likely to have severe joint

deformaties and need surgery etc.

In many cases these programs actually increase the current costs of

providing care in order to avoid future costs. It's easy to be

cynical about insurance companies, but they are businesses like any

other, and need to make a profit or they'll go out of business. The

money they have coming in is the premiums we pay, and with that they

have to pay the doctors, for our drugs, for the people and computers

that administer the plans and pay the claims etc etc. Don't take me

wrong, I'm not on their side, but I've worked with them long enough

to take a balanced look at the situation.

Beth

> Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> participate in a special program because of my " complex " (read:

> expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all of

> my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have questions

> or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I being

> too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving measure "

> written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrong

> with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been

trained

> to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. It

> was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it feels

a

> bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

>

> I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due to

> the sick health care system in this country.

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Beth.

I think I was reacting to a few different things:

-Loss of a feeling of anonymity/privacy within my insurance group (a

bit of paranoia about being " flagged " )

-Frightened by some of the messages that came through in the

materials I received: You have a nasty problem, it's going to only

get worse, and you're probably not capable enough to deal with it

yourself.

-And the one I mentioned in the previous post--concern that

I would be steered toward the cheapest, and not the best care.

(I've already seen this happen in my care with COX-2 meds--the doctor

decided it was the best choice for me, but the insurance co. would

not pay until I tried 2 other meds first.)

Sierra

> > Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> > participate in a special program because of my " complex " (read:

> > expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing all

of

> > my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> > monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have

questions

> > or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I being

> > too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving

measure "

> > written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically wrong

> > with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been

> trained

> > to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost options. It

> > was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it

feels

> a

> > bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

> >

> > I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly due

to

> > the sick health care system in this country.

> >

> > Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi Sierra,

I certainly understand your concerns - it's easy to be suspicious of

anything new your insurance company puts into place.. There are

definitely privacy laws that the insurance company has to follow,

but they do know the diagnosis from paying all your claims ;-), so

if you agree to the case management, you'll probably sign some sort

of release to let that service review your records and talk with

your doc.

As for the nawty problem and you can't deal with it by yourself, it

truly is amazing to me the statistics of how many people don't

comply with the treatment plan set out with their doctor, and then

end up much sicker and hospitalized as a result. Or they simply

don't know to ask the right questions of the doc and don't

understand why they should do as he suggested. Particularly people

with diabetes and asthma. I think this is one of those situations

where they assume that people can't or won't comply without the

additional help and monitoring, instead of the other way around.

As for having to try 2 other drugs before getting the -2 meds,

that's a cost control method called 'step therapy' and is very

common these days. I'm sure somewhere in the legal plan document or

administrative agreement for your coverage is the information

allowing it. My insurance does it as well, and it does make sense.

For example, a lot of RA patients respond just fine to Methotrexate

or Plaquenil, both of which are relatively inexpensive. If their

doc started them out on one of the biologic agents it may work just

as well, but at about 1000 times the cost! The 2 drugs were

developed to help reduce stomach issues in patients who are on long

term therapy, but many docs prescribe them right away for patients

who only need to take an NSAID for 2 weeks. In cases like that the

older and cheaper drugs are usually just as effective, and aren't

taken long enough to cause problems.

Let me know if you have any other questions I can help with.

Beth

> > > Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> > > participate in a special program because of my " complex " (read:

> > > expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing

all

> of

> > > my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> > > monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have

> questions

> > > or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I

being

> > > too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving

> measure "

> > > written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically

wrong

> > > with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been

> > trained

> > > to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost

options. It

> > > was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it

> feels

> > a

> > > bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

> > >

> > > I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly

due

> to

> > > the sick health care system in this country.

> > >

> > > Sierra

[Guest guest]

I hear what you're saying, Beth. I know the benefit of case

management services, and I realize that many people do need the

assistance available through a program like the one I was offered.

If I got sick enough, it would probably be a relief to turn the reins

over to an advocate, but at this point I trust myself more than

anyone in the management of my health care. I have the most at stake

and there's no possibility of a conflict of interest under this

roof...

Sierra

P.S. I can also see the reasoning behind step therapy requirements

from the insurance co's point of view, but sometimes it's just not

appropriate and infringes on the doctor's ability to practice good

medicine.

> > > > Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me to

> > > > participate in a special program because of my " complex "

(read:

> > > > expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by sharing

> all

> > of

> > > > my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a nurse

> > > > monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have

> > questions

> > > > or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am I

> being

> > > > too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving

> > measure "

> > > > written all over it? Not that there's anything intrinsically

> wrong

> > > > with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has been

> > > trained

> > > > to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost

> options. It

> > > > was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and it

> > feels

> > > a

> > > > bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

> > > >

> > > > I will be voting for change in the upcoming election, partly

> due

> > to

> > > > the sick health care system in this country.

> > > >

> > > > Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi Sierra,

I just had to respond to your P.S. regarding step therapy, because

you seem to have the same impression about health insurance as most

people -

Just because your doctor thinks a treatment, drug or therapy is

necessary for you based on their medical judgement, doesn't mean

that your health insurance is necessarily under any obligation to

PAY for it............There's are a lot of limits and qualifiers in

any insurance contract, and contrary to most people's belief,

there's never a clause that says that your insurance will pay all of

the treatment your doctor prescribes! Your insurance company

doesn't necessarily infringe on your doctor's ability to practice

good medicine, but they do infringe on your desire to have them pay

for the treatment (I've guess I've worked with this stuff too long

and have become a cynic, both about insurance companies and about

what I've seen of many people's expectations and entitlement

mentality about insurance coverage).

I'm glad that you feel well enough and on top of your treatment

enough to not need the case management services, and also that you

learned enough about it to make an informed decision.

I hope I don't come off as preaching or lecturing - my goal is to

help you (and others) get enough facts to make decisions.

Beth

> > > > > Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me

to

> > > > > participate in a special program because of my " complex "

> (read:

> > > > > expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by

sharing

> > all

> > > of

> > > > > my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a

nurse

> > > > > monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have

> > > questions

> > > > > or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program? Am

I

> > being

> > > > > too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost saving

> > > measure "

> > > > > written all over it? Not that there's anything

intrinsically

> > wrong

> > > > > with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has

been

> > > > trained

> > > > > to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost

> > options. It

> > > > > was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and

it

> > > feels

> > > > a

> > > > > bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

> > > > >

> > > > > I will be voting for change in the upcoming election,

partly

> > due

> > > to

> > > > > the sick health care system in this country.

> > > > >

> > > > > Sierra

[Guest guest]

I always appreciate your intelligent, thoughtful posts, Beth. You

make a good point.

Sierra

> > > > > > Just got a letter from my insurance co. today inviting me

> to

> > > > > > participate in a special program because of my " complex "

> > (read:

> > > > > > expensive) health condition in which I may enroll by

> sharing

> > > all

> > > > of

> > > > > > my personal information. The benefit to me? Basically, a

> nurse

> > > > > > monitors me and I'm given a number to call 24/7 if I have

> > > > questions

> > > > > > or concerns. Has anyone participated in such a program?

Am

> I

> > > being

> > > > > > too much of a cynic by thinking that this has " cost

saving

> > > > measure "

> > > > > > written all over it? Not that there's anything

> intrinsically

> > > wrong

> > > > > > with that, but there could be if the friendly nurse has

> been

> > > > > trained

> > > > > > to systematically guide her charges to the lowest cost

> > > options. It

> > > > > > was kind of freaky to be " targeted " for this service, and

> it

> > > > feels

> > > > > a

> > > > > > bit aggressive--If I don't respond, a nurse will call me.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I will be voting for change in the upcoming election,

> partly

> > > due

> > > > to

> > > > > > the sick health care system in this country.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sierra