Brain Surgery

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for letting us know. You are in our hearts and prayers!

Best prayers and wishes to you as you prepare for your procedure. I will keep you in my prayers and pray for a speedy recovery. It is a blessing to live in a time of medical miracles and the abilities they have now to help. All things are as they should be.

Hi Angela.

How are you? I hope things are going good.

Update: I’ve had to postpone my surgery, and I haven’t yet rescheduled, but it will probably be later in October now. As small business owners, we had to sign up for health insurance as private individuals (vs. as a company) a few years ago, and AZ was VERY limited in what plans were offered when the new ACA came out because it’s an aging state and insurers weren’t obligated to provide plans. That did improve in the last few years, but we hadn’t changed our policy because we were busy and didn’t think about it. Despite paying almost $15,000 a year in premiums and paying for literally every MRI, X-ray and consultation with a specialist directly out of pocket (including a $650 charge to see the neurosurgeon), the surgery was going to be minimum of $60,000 out of pocket for me with that insurance because the coverage was so low (less than $10K was covered).

Thank God the new ACA makes it illegal for insurance providers to refuse to cover pre-existing conditions, or I would be toast!

We just acquired a second office and some additional staff members as a result, so we changed insurance plans to a company plan (which means we have to pay 50% of all employee premiums as well as our own, but the plans are generally much better). Our premiums went down by about $3000 annually for our family for MUCH better coverage, including reasonable co-pays at the doctor and on prescriptions, and a max out of pocket of just under $8000. The new insurance plan went into effect Aug 1st (because we changed to a company policy due to a business acquisition, we didn’t have to wait for open enrollment). Once we get the new cards in the mail, I’ll have to go back through the referral process with my terrible Primary Care doctor, and then get the surgery scheduled at that point.

We just have some travel and work plans that prevent me doing it sooner than late October now. Thoughts and prayers are still very welcome and appreciated.

So, remember that little story when you are in the voting booth.

Thank you Hawk. Our club of misfit toys supports you and wishes you the best.