Re: I am new and I need your support

[Guest guest]

hey val,

the expense of the surgery is pretty high - and insurance plans always

do stink. i think you are very considerate of your parents feelings -

but it's ok to be bummed out. i'm sure something will work out - it

may just take a little bit of time. keep your chin up and if you need

to vent - this is a perfect place!

-becky

[Guest guest]

Hi. I'm gathering that you're in the United States; if not, what I

say may not apply.

First, unless your policy specifically excludes orthognathic surgery,

don't accept one denial without an appeal. And maybe even if it does.

Talk with your surgeon about what to do to get insurance coverage...

And yep, you can wait a year. For some folks, the orthodontic prep

can take quite a few years. If you're ready orthodontically now, ask

your ortho whether you might either be held in place in the braces,

or even have them removed and stay in retainers until you are ready,

then have the braces reapplied.

There are other alternatives, too. Some of which may be acceptable to

you, or not. Dental schools are sometimes less expensive. Some

surgeons will set a cheaper price for patients without insurance, as

will some hospitals.

And there are a variety of financing plans available, from second

mortgages on homes to loan programs dentists and surgeons offer.

Good luck to you!

Cammie

> Hello, I am so glad that I found this community just when I need it.

> My name is Val and I am 18. Is the first time I write here and I

need

> your support. I have the condition of the " big lower jaw " .

Yesterday I

> had an appointment with my surgeon. At last I got oriented about the

> process of surgery because I had NO CLUE. He showed me before and

> after pictures and videos of my same condition. I was so happy about

> the results, I didn't knew the changes were going to be huge. I just

> have been going to the orthodontist for the braces and that man

> haven't given me a good orientation and is making my family angry.

>

> Ok the good news is that I am very happy about the possible results.

>

> The bad news is that my FATHER did something VERY STUPID, like a

year

> ago someone at his work told him that the medical plan we had didn't

> covered the expenses of the surgery, so my father changed it to

> another medical plan right away thinking that it would cover the

> expenses . We had the old plan since FOREVER and he decided to

change

> it when we most need it. So yesterday the surgeon tells us that the

> plan we have now refuses to cover the expenses of the surgery. It's

a

> very problematic plan and it always happens. The only thing we can

do

> is send them a letter asking if they could cover at least some of

the

> expenses, but I doubt that will happen. It's impossible. The old

plan

> we had CAN cover the expenses.

>

> When the secretary gaves us all the costs of the operation I got

very

> dissapointed. IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, even if the surgeon gave us a

> discount the price is very HIGH.

>

>

> I was supposed to get operated this month or the next and there is

no

> way that it can happen now. I was so prepared and excited for this.

> This was like a second opportunity to be happy with myself and

start a

> new life. I feel so sad and depressed right now. I am trying to hide

> my feelings from my parents to not make them feel bad, cause I don't

> want to put a lot of pressure to my father. He is paying for a lot

of

> things, I go to a private university where I don't get a full

> scholarship and is hard.

>

> The only solution we have now is that my father has to change to the

> old medical plan again, and that lasts a full year. I will have to

> wait until next summer and I can't. I hate my smile right now. The

> operation can be possible but I feel so down right now.

>

> Thanks for reading. I needed to get this out of my chest. I saw a

lot

> of before and after pictures of the members and I am so happy for

you

> guys. I am so glad that I am not the only one. Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

Good luck, Val! I feel for ya -- insurance hassle suck. I'm trying to

scrape together financing for my surgery right now, which insurance

covers a very small fraction of. Cammie has some good suggestions. Luna

[Guest guest]

I don't live in the U.S but I live in Puerto Rico which is territory

of the U.S. The insurance plan I used to have first is recognized in

the U.S, I don't know about the one I have now. The sad thing is that

everything was ready until this problem with the insurance plan came.

You gave me good advice that I am going to take in consideration. I

am going to talk about it with my dad. Thanks.

> > Hello, I am so glad that I found this community just when I need

it.

> > My name is Val and I am 18. Is the first time I write here and I

> need

> > your support. I have the condition of the " big lower jaw " .

> Yesterday I

> > had an appointment with my surgeon. At last I got oriented about

the

> > process of surgery because I had NO CLUE. He showed me before and

> > after pictures and videos of my same condition. I was so happy

about

> > the results, I didn't knew the changes were going to be huge. I

just

> > have been going to the orthodontist for the braces and that man

> > haven't given me a good orientation and is making my family angry.

> >

> > Ok the good news is that I am very happy about the possible

results.

> >

> > The bad news is that my FATHER did something VERY STUPID, like a

> year

> > ago someone at his work told him that the medical plan we had

didn't

> > covered the expenses of the surgery, so my father changed it to

> > another medical plan right away thinking that it would cover the

> > expenses . We had the old plan since FOREVER and he decided to

> change

> > it when we most need it. So yesterday the surgeon tells us that

the

> > plan we have now refuses to cover the expenses of the surgery.

It's

> a

> > very problematic plan and it always happens. The only thing we

can

> do

> > is send them a letter asking if they could cover at least some of

> the

> > expenses, but I doubt that will happen. It's impossible. The old

> plan

> > we had CAN cover the expenses.

> >

> > When the secretary gaves us all the costs of the operation I got

> very

> > dissapointed. IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, even if the surgeon gave us a

> > discount the price is very HIGH.

> >

> >

> > I was supposed to get operated this month or the next and there

is

> no

> > way that it can happen now. I was so prepared and excited for

this.

> > This was like a second opportunity to be happy with myself and

> start a

> > new life. I feel so sad and depressed right now. I am trying to

hide

> > my feelings from my parents to not make them feel bad, cause I

don't

> > want to put a lot of pressure to my father. He is paying for a

lot

> of

> > things, I go to a private university where I don't get a full

> > scholarship and is hard.

> >

> > The only solution we have now is that my father has to change to

the

> > old medical plan again, and that lasts a full year. I will have to

> > wait until next summer and I can't. I hate my smile right now. The

> > operation can be possible but I feel so down right now.

> >

> > Thanks for reading. I needed to get this out of my chest. I saw a

> lot

> > of before and after pictures of the members and I am so happy for

> you

> > guys. I am so glad that I am not the only one. Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much for replying. I really need to vent about this

because I am very hurt and talking to my parents doesn't help at all

because they don't know what it is to live with this condition. Mom

would say " Get Over It " or " You are pretty the way you are right now,

you don't need surgery " ha she just want to save the money for a new

car which is a thing we need now, thats another story. Oh well, lets

see what happens. Thanks again.

> hey val,

>

> the expense of the surgery is pretty high - and insurance plans always

> do stink. i think you are very considerate of your parents feelings -

> but it's ok to be bummed out. i'm sure something will work out - it

> may just take a little bit of time. keep your chin up and if you need

> to vent - this is a perfect place!

>

> -becky

[Guest guest]

I don't understand why these insurance plans don't want to cover all

the expenses. Seems that they see it just as a cosmetic surgery to look

prettier when that is not the only purpose. BAH. Good luck to you too.

Thanks

> Good luck, Val! I feel for ya -- insurance hassle suck. I'm trying to

> scrape together financing for my surgery right now, which insurance

> covers a very small fraction of. Cammie has some good suggestions.

Luna

[Guest guest]

Hi Val,

Is your Dad eligible to change his insurance to the former plan

now? If so, it does make a difference if he has been consistently

covered from the same job, even if it has been with different

plans. So if he is able to get on the former plan right away -

which does cover the surgery - I don't think there is the same one

year pre existing clause that can be held against you. If he has to

wait one more year to apply, this won't work, but if he changed

plans a year ago, this might be the enrollment period now. Please

have him check. His human resources department or medical plan

consultant can help him with this. If not, there have been some

good suggestions here. I really feel for you. I am sorry this has

happened to you, but there is hope for this to still work, even if

it is down the road. I am pulling for you!

Hugs,

Fran

> Hello, I am so glad that I found this community just when I need

it.

> My name is Val and I am 18. Is the first time I write here and I

need

> your support. I have the condition of the " big lower jaw " .

Yesterday I

> had an appointment with my surgeon. At last I got oriented about

the

> process of surgery because I had NO CLUE. He showed me before and

> after pictures and videos of my same condition. I was so happy

about

> the results, I didn't knew the changes were going to be huge. I

just

> have been going to the orthodontist for the braces and that man

> haven't given me a good orientation and is making my family angry.

>

> Ok the good news is that I am very happy about the possible

results.

>

> The bad news is that my FATHER did something VERY STUPID, like a

year

> ago someone at his work told him that the medical plan we had

didn't

> covered the expenses of the surgery, so my father changed it to

> another medical plan right away thinking that it would cover the

> expenses . We had the old plan since FOREVER and he decided to

change

> it when we most need it. So yesterday the surgeon tells us that the

> plan we have now refuses to cover the expenses of the surgery.

It's a

> very problematic plan and it always happens. The only thing we can

do

> is send them a letter asking if they could cover at least some of

the

> expenses, but I doubt that will happen. It's impossible. The old

plan

> we had CAN cover the expenses.

>

> When the secretary gaves us all the costs of the operation I got

very

> dissapointed. IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, even if the surgeon gave us a

> discount the price is very HIGH.

>

>

> I was supposed to get operated this month or the next and there is

no

> way that it can happen now. I was so prepared and excited for this.

> This was like a second opportunity to be happy with myself and

start a

> new life. I feel so sad and depressed right now. I am trying to

hide

> my feelings from my parents to not make them feel bad, cause I

don't

> want to put a lot of pressure to my father. He is paying for a lot

of

> things, I go to a private university where I don't get a full

> scholarship and is hard.

>

> The only solution we have now is that my father has to change to

the

> old medical plan again, and that lasts a full year. I will have to

> wait until next summer and I can't. I hate my smile right now. The

> operation can be possible but I feel so down right now.

>

> Thanks for reading. I needed to get this out of my chest. I saw a

lot

> of before and after pictures of the members and I am so happy for

you

> guys. I am so glad that I am not the only one. Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

val,

i know how difficult it can be dealing with your parents sometimes.

i'm not sure how far you read back - but i was born with a cleft

lip/palate. i've had 13 surgeries (give or take a few) and although

some of the cost has been covered, a lot of times my mom ended up

paying (like for ortho, copays, etc) she had me when she was 19 and

got divorced soon after. although she remarried when i was six, money

was always a little tight and always an issue. i can even remember

feeling a little guilty that i was born with this thing, and it was

expensive, and there was nothing i could do about it. my mother was

also the queen of saying " don't feel sorry for yourself! there's

people in the world without legs or who need hearts! you're perfectly

fine compared to them! " i used to get so mad at her - because i

didn't feel perfectly fine.

at 27 years old, i don't claim to be wise - but i do have a slightly

different take on why my mom always reacted the way she did. the

truth is - she felt bad (if only for a moment) that she could not make

me perfect. she wanted me to feel pretty - because to her i could not

be any more beautiful. i'm her daughter and she have given anything

for this to have happened to her than to me. although sometimes her

words of encouragement ticked me off - she was trying to convince me

(and maybe herself) that i was just as good as everyone else. this

was a little thing - because she needed it to be a little thing.

i don't dream to know of your circumstances - i could be completely

wrong - but i'd put money on the fact that your parents are as

disappointed as you. they want to give you the best - and because of

a dumb insurance issue - right now they feel they can't. i know it

seems like forever away - but your dad probably could switch insurance

providers at the end of the year. and you never know what your

parents will have up their sleeves. for their children, most parents

will do anything.

try to keep smiling - ok? and if you ever need me - don't hestitate

to write! rebwend@...

-becky

> > hey val,

> >

> > the expense of the surgery is pretty high - and insurance plans always

> > do stink. i think you are very considerate of your parents feelings -

> > but it's ok to be bummed out. i'm sure something will work out - it

> > may just take a little bit of time. keep your chin up and if you need

> > to vent - this is a perfect place!

> >

> > -becky

[Guest guest]

Wow 13 surgeries.It must have been a difficult situation for you and

your family but I am glad that you are alright now and you are helping

others to feel better.

I also feel guilty. My parents have made jokes saying that I am worth

millions of dollars because of all the things they have payed for me

but what can I do?, I have needs. Today I talked to mom about my

feelings toward this and she said exactly the same thing about other

people in the world without legs or arms that are happier.

" although sometimes her

> words of encouragement ticked me off - she was trying to convince me

> (and maybe herself) that i was just as good as everyone else. this

> was a little thing - because she needed it to be a little thing.

> "

That's exactly how she feels right now.

Thank you so much for your words, now I can see this from my mother's

point of view. Hopefully in November dad will switch to the other

insurance plan and everything will be ok. Maybe is not the right time

now and this happened for a reason.

[Guest guest]

Hmmm in November of this year he has the chance to fill the papers

required to change to the old plan and on January they will send it to

us. I found out today that we didn't had problems with doing that,

since it's federal my dad can do that at his work. He works in a

federal hospital.

I have the opportunity of getting operated on my January vacation or

on spring break but nah, I rather do it in the summer. I don't know if

there are going to be huge changes in my face and I don't want people

at my college to be like WHAT HAPPENED TO HER? hehe, so I rather wait

a full year. Maybe this happened for a reason and is not my time now.

I am going to ask dad about what you said.

> > Hello, I am so glad that I found this community just when I need

> it.

> > My name is Val and I am 18. Is the first time I write here and I

> need

> > your support. I have the condition of the " big lower jaw " .

> Yesterday I

> > had an appointment with my surgeon. At last I got oriented about

> the

> > process of surgery because I had NO CLUE. He showed me before and

> > after pictures and videos of my same condition. I was so happy

> about

> > the results, I didn't knew the changes were going to be huge. I

> just

> > have been going to the orthodontist for the braces and that man

> > haven't given me a good orientation and is making my family angry.

> >

> > Ok the good news is that I am very happy about the possible

> results.

> >

> > The bad news is that my FATHER did something VERY STUPID, like a

> year

> > ago someone at his work told him that the medical plan we had

> didn't

> > covered the expenses of the surgery, so my father changed it to

> > another medical plan right away thinking that it would cover the

> > expenses . We had the old plan since FOREVER and he decided to

> change

> > it when we most need it. So yesterday the surgeon tells us that the

> > plan we have now refuses to cover the expenses of the surgery.

> It's a

> > very problematic plan and it always happens. The only thing we can

> do

> > is send them a letter asking if they could cover at least some of

> the

> > expenses, but I doubt that will happen. It's impossible. The old

> plan

> > we had CAN cover the expenses.

> >

> > When the secretary gaves us all the costs of the operation I got

> very

> > dissapointed. IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, even if the surgeon gave us a

> > discount the price is very HIGH.

> >

> >

> > I was supposed to get operated this month or the next and there is

> no

> > way that it can happen now. I was so prepared and excited for this.

> > This was like a second opportunity to be happy with myself and

> start a

> > new life. I feel so sad and depressed right now. I am trying to

> hide

> > my feelings from my parents to not make them feel bad, cause I

> don't

> > want to put a lot of pressure to my father. He is paying for a lot

> of

> > things, I go to a private university where I don't get a full

> > scholarship and is hard.

> >

> > The only solution we have now is that my father has to change to

> the

> > old medical plan again, and that lasts a full year. I will have to

> > wait until next summer and I can't. I hate my smile right now. The

> > operation can be possible but I feel so down right now.

> >

> > Thanks for reading. I needed to get this out of my chest. I saw a

> lot

> > of before and after pictures of the members and I am so happy for

> you

> > guys. I am so glad that I am not the only one. Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

Becky,

If I may ... I'd just like to say that you are wise beyond your

years. You express yourself beautifully ... your Mom must be Very

proud.

Hugs,

Carol

> > > hey val,

> > >

> > > the expense of the surgery is pretty high - and insurance plans

always

> > > do stink. i think you are very considerate of your parents

feelings -

> > > but it's ok to be bummed out. i'm sure something will work

out - it

> > > may just take a little bit of time. keep your chin up and if

you need

> > > to vent - this is a perfect place!

> > >

> > > -becky