Jargon

I took Michelle's advice and call the insurance company this a.m. All I got was a lesson in jargon and patience. First I get automated menus, so I soon as I can in my best robotic voice I ask for a medical representative. OK, I get connected to an representative that can't help me, but she does inform me that the "status is pending", What the heck does that mean? So she gives me a ref. # and a phone number and sends me on my way. So with this info I call the ph. # and speak with someone else. I say I'm calling for a "predetermination" (since this was the jargon used previously, I always thought it was "preauthorization") the person on the other line says this is the wrong number for "predetermination" and she tries to send me back to the first ph #. So I say well this is the # they gave me. She looks up the ref # I give her and "OH" this is for "precertification", What ever!!! don't they all mean pretty much the same thing? So she also tells me that the "status is pending" and that the nurse is reviewing it. She tries to connect me with the nurse...I wait (they were playing some pretty good music so I'm not to irritated) after about 3 songs, the rep comes back on and tells me that she didn't answer (No kidding!) Then she says well we have 15 days to do this (which she said was past) and 15 more days to do this (we are at -9 days) So she suggest I call back on Friday. So what do I know now, not a whole bunch but some insurance jargon. I will be calling them back on Friday, I will keep you all informed.

P.S. Cure for Overcoming Panic (previous blog) Mikes hard lemonaide and soak in Hot Tub. It worked!