Re: O'Kelley's last stand

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/12/2000 7:47:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

RLSJRMWOKS@... writes:

<<

and I am used to discrimination. I am not some welfare trash that expects

" something for nothing " as someone said earlier, but I do expect that I be

judged by my morals & values, not my purse.

Thank you for your time everyone.

O'Kelley >>

O'Kelley,

I would never judge you or anyone buy the wealth be it a quarter or

a billion, I have been at both ends of that rope. I really do feel for you!

I just don't know what to say or do to make it better. sorry

Trish Lanman

Praying to be on the other side in June

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your letter. You have no idea what it means to me.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your letter. You have no idea what it means to me.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your letter. You have no idea what it means to me.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

Thank you Trish. Thank you very much. Your understandingmakes a great

difference.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

O':

I feel so bad for you, and for Tara. You two and who knows who else out

there were totally treated unfairly. I can only imagine how much of a

disappointment it was for you to actually have a date and then have the

carpet pulled out from under your feet. I think that because Dr. R has

helped so many people and been a Godsend to so many it is hard for us to

imagine that this could happen. I know that Tara is going to have lap RNY

through someone else. What are you going to do? Do you have any other

options? Please know that there are some of out here that do support you and

certainly do not look down on you at all.

Take care,

Jackie in DE

12 days and counting...

want everyone to understand, please, I am not Tara. I am O'Kelley. I do

support Tara though. I support her because I am the other person that has

Medicaid and has an approval and was told to call for surgery date on Monday

and instead was told no. I am the hypothetical situation that I put forth

in

the email with Tara's note attached. I am upset because I got my approval,

I

delivered my packet, I called for a date and was told that I wasn't a

profitable enough patient. I was directly told by Barbara that " Dr.

Rutledge

has patients with 'real' insurance and that are self pay that are more

important than a Medicaid patient. " When Medicaid called Dr. R's office

they

were told pretty much the same thing. Well, the worst part was being told

that I would have to reapply for approval, but Medicaid would not approve

again because my first one went unused. Therefore, it disproved medical

need

for the surgery. So, I was stuck with an approval that wasn't going to be

used within proper time constraints and then I wouldn't get another one and

all simply because I do not have real insurance and am therefore

unimportant.

If doctors don't want Medicaid fees they do not have to accept Medicaid at

all, But why accept it, get the approval, then turn me down? And Tara too?

That doesn't make sense to me. When he said he would take the Medicaid and

filed the papers he knew what the amount was. If it didn't please him, he

should have stopped process then, not at the point of getting the surgery

date. And I asked about what if my parents or grandparents paid part of the

money upfront. He said it isn't an option. Either self pay all the way or

Medicaid all the way. One last thing, I have no doubts as to whether or not

he is an absolute angel to everyone that praises him so, but since he choose

to accept the Medicaid until the very last minute, what makes me so much

less

than all of you? Well, honestly, nothing. I work hard, I am a good mother

and I am used to discrimination. I am not some welfare trash that expects

" something for nothing " as someone said earlier, but I do expect that I be

judged by my morals & values, not my purse.

Thank you for your time everyone.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

Thank you Jackie. I have been given the chance to start the entire process

over with a new doctor. Thank you so much for your letter of support.

Please everyone remember I am not discrediting your relationships with Dr. R.

I am quite sure he deserves the praises he gets from you. I am just in a

different position.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if he is just not accepting Medicaid or is it Medicare to?

Thanks, Liz

[Guest guest]

Debbie told me Medicaid, Medicare, and Vocational Rehab are on hold for 6 to

9 months. That you must reapply for approval then. But, from what I have

been told by Medicaid this week, the chances are slim to none if you wait

that long. It disproves medical necessity. My chances are coming from the

fact that Medicaid has agreed to let me start the process over with a new

doctor because of this situation.

O'K

[Guest guest]

Debbie told me Medicaid, Medicare, and Vocational Rehab are on hold for 6 to

9 months. That you must reapply for approval then. But, from what I have

been told by Medicaid this week, the chances are slim to none if you wait

that long. It disproves medical necessity. My chances are coming from the

fact that Medicaid has agreed to let me start the process over with a new

doctor because of this situation.

O'K

[Guest guest]

Debbie told me Medicaid, Medicare, and Vocational Rehab are on hold for 6 to

9 months. That you must reapply for approval then. But, from what I have

been told by Medicaid this week, the chances are slim to none if you wait

that long. It disproves medical necessity. My chances are coming from the

fact that Medicaid has agreed to let me start the process over with a new

doctor because of this situation.

O'K

[Guest guest]

You guys are all so good! I was so afraid to tell what had happened, but

couldn't hide it either. I was terrified you all would hate me because my

experience was opposite from yours. I was afraid of being labled a 'Dr. R'

basher, and that isn't my intention. I really only needed to say what I felt

in a place where others could understand my pain. Thank you so muich for

your support and prayers.

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

This is awful my mother has already made her clinic appointment and made her

hotel reservations. She has Medicare and Blue Cross. I won't have the heart

to tell her if this is the case she will be heartbroken.

[Guest guest]

This is awful my mother has already made her clinic appointment and made her

hotel reservations. She has Medicare and Blue Cross. I won't have the heart

to tell her if this is the case she will be heartbroken.

[Guest guest]

This is awful my mother has already made her clinic appointment and made her

hotel reservations. She has Medicare and Blue Cross. I won't have the heart

to tell her if this is the case she will be heartbroken.

[Guest guest]

Okelly, please stay on the list, We are all here for support in our weight

loss and a chance for a better life, a healthier life! Everyone's input is

needed for all of our success.

God Bless You

Trisha Lanman

praying Dr. R. will help me to the other side soon!!!

Las Vegas NV

[Guest guest]

I would hope that since she has two coverage's, one being primary, the other

secondary, in whatever order, she still has more than just

Medicaid/Medicare/Voc Rehab. Please find out from Debbie. I just know that

she said Medicaid/Medicare/Voc Rehab are being put on hold for six to nine

months because of low profitability.

[Guest guest]

I truly appreciate your support. Ya'll are gonna make me cry.

Thank you.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

I truly appreciate your support. Ya'll are gonna make me cry.

Thank you.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

O'Kelley

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/12/2000 10:44:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

RLSJRMWOKS@... writes:

<< You guys are all so good! I was so afraid to tell what had happened, but

couldn't hide it either. I was terrified you all would hate me because my

experience was opposite from yours. I was afraid of being labled a 'Dr. R'

basher, and that isn't my intention. I really only needed to say what I

felt

in a place where others could understand my pain. Thank you so muich for

your support and prayers.

O'Kelley >>

O',

So sorry for you're disappointment and emotional pain I know

this caused. What is the use in having medicaid and medicare if physicians

can refuse it. what do people do if all of a sudden all doctors refused it,

My daughter has medicaid for her children and she works a full time job. I

sure know how I would react if they needed medical attention and were refused

because the doctors are not willing to take a few less dollars.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/12/2000 10:44:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

RLSJRMWOKS@... writes:

<< You guys are all so good! I was so afraid to tell what had happened, but

couldn't hide it either. I was terrified you all would hate me because my

experience was opposite from yours. I was afraid of being labled a 'Dr. R'

basher, and that isn't my intention. I really only needed to say what I

felt

in a place where others could understand my pain. Thank you so muich for

your support and prayers.

O'Kelley >>

O',

So sorry for you're disappointment and emotional pain I know

this caused. What is the use in having medicaid and medicare if physicians

can refuse it. what do people do if all of a sudden all doctors refused it,

My daughter has medicaid for her children and she works a full time job. I

sure know how I would react if they needed medical attention and were refused

because the doctors are not willing to take a few less dollars.

[Guest guest]

When I first went to the clinic I was clueless about how everything worked. I

went on the advice of my dr. and when Dr. R asked if I had any questions, my

response was how soon could I have this done? He didn't like that. I needed

to research this more he said. My feathers were " miffed " , but I came home

started paperwork etc.. determined I was doing this, then I found out my

policy didn't cover it. I e-mailed Dr.R. who in return emailed me back with

a quick " you can fight, appeal, or give up " . Here I was stuck with a bill for

$255 and I was not going to have the surgery...I was " miffed " again. The one

thing he did do was tell me about this group. I have learned so much from

all of you who share and now I hope this helps....I didn't give up I took a

different insurance policy that will cover it. You have to be patient and

find a game plan to fit you. I was using my husband's insurance because i

thought it was better, my employer's covered this if it was necessary so I've

picked it up. If you're at a job or self employed check out other policies

yes there may be a waiting period but it's worth it. I don't know if this

helps anyone and I hope everyone gets to do this if it is really what they

want. I just finally get it " fight, appeal, or give up " it's your choice.

[Guest guest]

When I first went to the clinic I was clueless about how everything worked. I

went on the advice of my dr. and when Dr. R asked if I had any questions, my

response was how soon could I have this done? He didn't like that. I needed

to research this more he said. My feathers were " miffed " , but I came home

started paperwork etc.. determined I was doing this, then I found out my

policy didn't cover it. I e-mailed Dr.R. who in return emailed me back with

a quick " you can fight, appeal, or give up " . Here I was stuck with a bill for

$255 and I was not going to have the surgery...I was " miffed " again. The one

thing he did do was tell me about this group. I have learned so much from

all of you who share and now I hope this helps....I didn't give up I took a

different insurance policy that will cover it. You have to be patient and

find a game plan to fit you. I was using my husband's insurance because i

thought it was better, my employer's covered this if it was necessary so I've

picked it up. If you're at a job or self employed check out other policies

yes there may be a waiting period but it's worth it. I don't know if this

helps anyone and I hope everyone gets to do this if it is really what they

want. I just finally get it " fight, appeal, or give up " it's your choice.

[Guest guest]

Dear O'Kelley,

I can understand the reason you are so upset. I would feel the same way

now that you have come across with more details. There is no reason I would ever

look down on someone just because they are on Medicaid or Medicare. Both my

parents were on Medicare and thank God they had it. The thing that I was so hung

up on was the $500

difference mentioned in Tara's letter. I don't feel that anyone on this list is

any better than

anyone else. I just think that we need to understand that certain business

decisions have to be made by Dr. R, unfortunately his timing stinks. If he made

a

committment to you and to Tara then he should honor that committment. Even if it

means biting the bullet financially.

He apparantly made his mind up without regard to the two of you and it is quite

possible he is not aware of the ramifications of his decision in regards to the

Medicaid approval. I also doubt that he is aware of the poor choice of words

that

Barbara used in her conversation with you. Even though he is a doctor he is

still

a businessman. Certain things cannot be controlled by him 100% of the

time...such

as employees actions. He can however control his own choices in regards to

Medicaid. I'm sorry he made that decision and I certainly hope he reconsiders

it.

I want to emphasize that you are not less a person because of your

circumstances,

you deserve the same treatment as everyone else. Fairness is never handed out

equally, we have all had our crosses to bear they just come in different shapes

and sizes. I never intended to insinuate that you are not worthy. If I did imply

this I do apologize. I hope you find a way to obtain your goal.

Best Wishes,

Genz

RLSJRMWOKS@... wrote:

> want everyone to understand, please, I am not Tara. I am O'Kelley. I do

> support Tara though. I support her because I am the other person that has

> Medicaid and has an approval and was told to call for surgery date on Monday

> and instead was told no. I am the hypothetical situation that I put forth in

> the email with Tara's note attached. I am upset because I got my approval, I

> delivered my packet, I called for a date and was told that I wasn't a

> profitable enough patient. I was directly told by Barbara that " Dr. Rutledge

> has patients with 'real' insurance and that are self pay that are more

> important than a Medicaid patient. " When Medicaid called Dr. R's office they

> were told pretty much the same thing. Well, the worst part was being told

> that I would have to reapply for approval, but Medicaid would not approve

> again because my first one went unused. Therefore, it disproved medical need

> for the surgery. So, I was stuck with an approval that wasn't going to be

> used within proper time constraints and then I wouldn't get another one and

> all simply because I do not have real insurance and am therefore unimportant.

> If doctors don't want Medicaid fees they do not have to accept Medicaid at

> all, But why accept it, get the approval, then turn me down? And Tara too?

> That doesn't make sense to me. When he said he would take the Medicaid and

> filed the papers he knew what the amount was. If it didn't please him, he

> should have stopped process then, not at the point of getting the surgery

> date. And I asked about what if my parents or grandparents paid part of the

> money upfront. He said it isn't an option. Either self pay all the way or

> Medicaid all the way. One last thing, I have no doubts as to whether or not

> he is an absolute angel to everyone that praises him so, but since he choose

> to accept the Medicaid until the very last minute, what makes me so much less

> than all of you? Well, honestly, nothing. I work hard, I am a good mother

> and I am used to discrimination. I am not some welfare trash that expects

> " something for nothing " as someone said earlier, but I do expect that I be

> judged by my morals & values, not my purse.

> Thank you for your time everyone.

> O'Kelley

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear O'Kelley,

I can understand the reason you are so upset. I would feel the same way

now that you have come across with more details. There is no reason I would ever

look down on someone just because they are on Medicaid or Medicare. Both my

parents were on Medicare and thank God they had it. The thing that I was so hung

up on was the $500

difference mentioned in Tara's letter. I don't feel that anyone on this list is

any better than

anyone else. I just think that we need to understand that certain business

decisions have to be made by Dr. R, unfortunately his timing stinks. If he made

a

committment to you and to Tara then he should honor that committment. Even if it

means biting the bullet financially.

He apparantly made his mind up without regard to the two of you and it is quite

possible he is not aware of the ramifications of his decision in regards to the

Medicaid approval. I also doubt that he is aware of the poor choice of words

that

Barbara used in her conversation with you. Even though he is a doctor he is

still

a businessman. Certain things cannot be controlled by him 100% of the

time...such

as employees actions. He can however control his own choices in regards to

Medicaid. I'm sorry he made that decision and I certainly hope he reconsiders

it.

I want to emphasize that you are not less a person because of your

circumstances,

you deserve the same treatment as everyone else. Fairness is never handed out

equally, we have all had our crosses to bear they just come in different shapes

and sizes. I never intended to insinuate that you are not worthy. If I did imply

this I do apologize. I hope you find a way to obtain your goal.

Best Wishes,

Genz

RLSJRMWOKS@... wrote:

> want everyone to understand, please, I am not Tara. I am O'Kelley. I do

> support Tara though. I support her because I am the other person that has

> Medicaid and has an approval and was told to call for surgery date on Monday

> and instead was told no. I am the hypothetical situation that I put forth in

> the email with Tara's note attached. I am upset because I got my approval, I

> delivered my packet, I called for a date and was told that I wasn't a

> profitable enough patient. I was directly told by Barbara that " Dr. Rutledge

> has patients with 'real' insurance and that are self pay that are more

> important than a Medicaid patient. " When Medicaid called Dr. R's office they

> were told pretty much the same thing. Well, the worst part was being told

> that I would have to reapply for approval, but Medicaid would not approve

> again because my first one went unused. Therefore, it disproved medical need

> for the surgery. So, I was stuck with an approval that wasn't going to be

> used within proper time constraints and then I wouldn't get another one and

> all simply because I do not have real insurance and am therefore unimportant.

> If doctors don't want Medicaid fees they do not have to accept Medicaid at

> all, But why accept it, get the approval, then turn me down? And Tara too?

> That doesn't make sense to me. When he said he would take the Medicaid and

> filed the papers he knew what the amount was. If it didn't please him, he

> should have stopped process then, not at the point of getting the surgery

> date. And I asked about what if my parents or grandparents paid part of the

> money upfront. He said it isn't an option. Either self pay all the way or

> Medicaid all the way. One last thing, I have no doubts as to whether or not

> he is an absolute angel to everyone that praises him so, but since he choose

> to accept the Medicaid until the very last minute, what makes me so much less

> than all of you? Well, honestly, nothing. I work hard, I am a good mother

> and I am used to discrimination. I am not some welfare trash that expects

> " something for nothing " as someone said earlier, but I do expect that I be

> judged by my morals & values, not my purse.

> Thank you for your time everyone.

> O'Kelley

>

>