Thanks for this, I feel so seen. I recall breaking down in my car once, because in the time it took me to walk out of my doctor’s office to the parking lot, United Healthcare had denied every single medication I’d been prescribed - I got automated texts from CVS in rapid succession, letting me know I couldn’t have any of the treatments I needed. I have many more stories like this. I’ve since switched insurance carriers, and while the system as a whole still sucks, at least I’ve been able to get the care I need.
I'm so sorry you experienced that, truly....no one should ever have to worry about how they're going to afford their healthcare. It's trauma on top of trauma.
Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your personal and baffling battle with United Health insurance. I’m so, so sorry that anyone has to deal with this, but especially a child.
I am so sorry for what you and your family have experienced at the hands of the healthcare system. What I really appreciate about this piece is the care you take in being honest, vulnerable and real without also inciting more violence or praising the gunman. Thank you for sharing!
Very well written. The Health Care Industry is an analogue for our whole country. We are currently presented with fights in multiple arenas between Scientists and Cost Cutters.
Our Son’s Leukemia Journey started at 17, but your accounts were very familiar.
I'm sorry to hear, and I'm sending well-wishes to your son and your family. Having a child with cancer is, as you know, an almost indescribable trauma. I'm so sorry we're facing unnecessary and solvable problems like healthcare costs on top of what is already a monumentally stressful experience.
Examining this issue anecdotally.. and on a macro level of analysis is so important . Your points are valid and approached with critical thought as well as compassion and due criticism. This is so essential. Thank you. Sending love to your family and your health.
Well written. My heart breaks for you - as a human being - a mother and someone who does not want ppl to go through this ever! Our politicians have failed us dramatically - Obamacare is fine but we need Medicare for all. We do not need insurance companies at all. We need Dems to make this clear moving forward. We need them to ACT NOW.
When I heard about this, I kept thinking this is not surprising and something is eventually going to give and look what happened. Your article sums it best- violence begets violence.
I had a subscription to AARP until I read this. I’ve been thinking of canceling it already, this pushed me over the edge. (AARP and United are partners.)
A few hundred thousand cancellations might get some attention.
It's not just United Healthcare. It is many other insurance carriers also. They all deny claims. In the past I've had problems with Humana & Aetna also. Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ just refused to sign a new contract with Phoenix Children's Hospital. SO every child in that hospital needing crucial care that had BCBS of AZ was immediately cut off of insurance coverage. I currently have United Healthcare & have for 6 years. I have never had a claim denied however I have not had any serious issues.
It is sad that insurance companies think they are the doctors & surgeons that get to diagnose what patients do & don't need regarding Healthcare. It has to stop!!!
Thanks for this, I feel so seen. I recall breaking down in my car once, because in the time it took me to walk out of my doctor’s office to the parking lot, United Healthcare had denied every single medication I’d been prescribed - I got automated texts from CVS in rapid succession, letting me know I couldn’t have any of the treatments I needed. I have many more stories like this. I’ve since switched insurance carriers, and while the system as a whole still sucks, at least I’ve been able to get the care I need.
I'm so sorry you experienced that, truly....no one should ever have to worry about how they're going to afford their healthcare. It's trauma on top of trauma.
Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your personal and baffling battle with United Health insurance. I’m so, so sorry that anyone has to deal with this, but especially a child.
I am so sorry for what you and your family have experienced at the hands of the healthcare system. What I really appreciate about this piece is the care you take in being honest, vulnerable and real without also inciting more violence or praising the gunman. Thank you for sharing!
thank you so much!
I applaud your candor. The Health Insurance Industry is so fraudulent in my humble opinion.
Very well written. The Health Care Industry is an analogue for our whole country. We are currently presented with fights in multiple arenas between Scientists and Cost Cutters.
Our Son’s Leukemia Journey started at 17, but your accounts were very familiar.
I'm sorry to hear, and I'm sending well-wishes to your son and your family. Having a child with cancer is, as you know, an almost indescribable trauma. I'm so sorry we're facing unnecessary and solvable problems like healthcare costs on top of what is already a monumentally stressful experience.
Thank you. Frankly we were some of the lucky ones. We had good Health insurance and our son moved through his treatments successfully.
The problem is even one family that has to choose between their child’s health and financial devastation is too many.
In a country that has billionaires, there is zero excuse for a single medical bankruptcy.
Examining this issue anecdotally.. and on a macro level of analysis is so important . Your points are valid and approached with critical thought as well as compassion and due criticism. This is so essential. Thank you. Sending love to your family and your health.
Brilliantly expressed.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely heartbreaking story. Love from a single mama.
love to you right back, and thank you. the single mama thing is....a whole thing!
Well written. My heart breaks for you - as a human being - a mother and someone who does not want ppl to go through this ever! Our politicians have failed us dramatically - Obamacare is fine but we need Medicare for all. We do not need insurance companies at all. We need Dems to make this clear moving forward. We need them to ACT NOW.
Big yes to healthcare for all!
What a devastating story, and a sadly common one. So much truth here.
When I heard about this, I kept thinking this is not surprising and something is eventually going to give and look what happened. Your article sums it best- violence begets violence.
“After years of torture, victim murders the serial killer responsible for thousands of needless painful deaths “.
I had a subscription to AARP until I read this. I’ve been thinking of canceling it already, this pushed me over the edge. (AARP and United are partners.)
A few hundred thousand cancellations might get some attention.
It's not just United Healthcare. It is many other insurance carriers also. They all deny claims. In the past I've had problems with Humana & Aetna also. Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ just refused to sign a new contract with Phoenix Children's Hospital. SO every child in that hospital needing crucial care that had BCBS of AZ was immediately cut off of insurance coverage. I currently have United Healthcare & have for 6 years. I have never had a claim denied however I have not had any serious issues.
It is sad that insurance companies think they are the doctors & surgeons that get to diagnose what patients do & don't need regarding Healthcare. It has to stop!!!