Hernia, Insurance SUCKS bad..........after the fact.

[Ardmore Farms Forever]

I have to admit, I have spent an entire lifetime and career avoiding "Manual Labor".

Last week while unloading a small order at "Publix" warehouse in Jacksonville, I was replacing my pallets, I picked one up and felt a real HOT sting in my lower abdomen................I didn't think anything of it, at my age (57), Hell I hurt in places I didn't even know I had.............I even went back to our company office saying, I think I have a "Hernia" , in a half-joking manner.................it was over as far as I'm concerned.

I get up this morning (Monday) with a little pain (not much) in my abdomen, think nothing of it............go to take a shower (I know, a truck driver taking a shower every day is hard to believe )................HOLY SHEEEEEEET..............I look down and it looks like an "Small Orange" bulging out my abdomen.......take in mind that when I put my chin down to my chest, I can actually see my feet...(can you?) ...I'm 6' 0" and only weight 186 lbs, (all muscle, I might add ) , so it was quite noticeable...........I freaking out, I hate going to the Doctor, but I call immediately...............finally get an emergency appointment to see her at 10:00 AM..........she takes one look, pushes a couple of places (as I'm screaming in pain by now) and gets on the phone to set an immediate appointment with a Surgeon.................I get to the Surgeons office, he explains the I have a "Inguinal Hernia and a Groin rupture".......and need surgery IMMEDIATELY............when I realized I wasn't going to faint (I'm a total wuss) I say "no big deal", that's why I have insurance "Lets do it".........

Here's where it get "effin screwed-up"...............One would think that if he were paying as his part, $4550,00 ($175.00 bi-weekly) annually for his part on an "Aetna Insurance Insurance Plan", ....it would be pretty good coverage for just me and my wife................"BUT NO".............it seems that I end up paying 70% and "Aetna Insurance" is responsible for only 30%............my upfront cost was going to be $2900.00 and they expected a check before Surgery...............the money was not the point, I have the money, it's more a Principle thing with me.........explained next.

Here I am being nice guy trying to keep my company owners Workman's Comp. from going up....I was going to pay out of my insurance, NOT now..............I called and am making a claim tomorrow.............boy, they were pizzed...........because, I'm going to maybe need 3-surgeries in total I was informed after feeling my abdomen and Family Jewels, and will be out of work 6-8 weeks,...............the sad part, I told them I did NOT want any drugs after the Surgery...........I might regret that decision.

UPDATE.....UPDATE.............UPDATE...........UPD ATE

It's Tuesday morning. I'm thinking I'm going to let "Workman's Comp" pay for my operation and get paid for the weeks I'm off.................I get a call from my Surgeons Office, the nurse is in a panic.......I ask her what's wrong, she said the Doctor was in a panic because she had not scheduled Surgery immediately (actually my dumb azz fault) he specifically emphasized to me that this operation CAN NOT wait........the chances of my Hernia become "Incarcerated" and/or "Strangulated" are extremely high and if I don't have surgery immediately, it could be, without warning the "Eternal Dirt Nap" for me.....in other words, "Workman's Comp." will take to long, so now I have to pay this out of my own pocket, because of my wonderful outright SCAM-POS insurance policy SUCKS BIG TIME.....this friggin sucks.

Another kicker...............they have scheduled my surgery for 4:45 AM in the "Friggin" morning on Thursday.....who in their right mind would cut on someone that early? Oh yea, after talking to my neighbor who's had a couple of these, he explained the pain factor...........I called the Doctors Office and told them I was suffering from "Temporary Insanity"..........GIMME the DRUGS.....Homey, don't play this pain sheeeeeet.


The moral to this drivel..................READ YOUR INSURANCE POLICY!!!!

[Twilight Flyer]

Strangulated hernias are nothing to sneeze at. Very, very dangerous. Get that baby pushed in, meshed up, and behind you.

As far as the insurance issue goes, that's Aetna for you. I am firmly convinced that Aetna is quite literally, satan's summer home above the hellfire plantation. :x

[Crete_drvr]

Anyone know if Mutual of Omaha is any good?

[emerlin]

There aren't any good insurance companies when it comes time for them to pay up. Especially Workman's Comp companies.

My wife was injured at work and the WC doc poked and prodded on her. No tests. He said that nothing was wrong with her and dismissed her. Her personal doctor did a full back x-ray and four MRIs and found two bulging discs, among other things. Workman's comp won't cover anything so we are paying out of pocket for her recovery. Three months without much results, and no income.

There will be a suit...

Sorry for the off-track.

Hope you get things squared away. Better off in debt than in the ground. You can always fight for your rights later.

Join the Small Business Association and get Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and never see a bill in your life, go to any doctor you feel like without a referral.
The only insurance to have!

[Ardmore Farms Forever]

Sorry for the off-track..

Emerlin..............that's one thing about me, I give "FULL PERMISSION" to anyone to hijack ANY thread I start............I have no problem whatsoever if someone does that.........keeps the thread interesting in my opinion.

[Mackman]

Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

Thats what i have very good. Cost me 11.00 dollars a week. Thast with dental and vison. But i am single i dont know what a family would be.
I had a Hernia at 21 and got it taken care of cost me nothing. Sorry to hear about that AFF. I would go under workmans. I used to work for a place that didnt pay there bills and your card would be no good when you went to use it. :shock:

[Slimland]

Hey AFF I had hernia surgery twice, The second time was for continuas pain, and Now I have NERVE damage, and the Worst kind, Inguinial Nerve Damage. Soo be carful! And if you have continuas pain after surgery it is probly nerve's trapped in scare tissue, etc.


Any way I too went through workmans comp, and if your not strangled yet, I would wait for it to come in affect before you go into surgery. The surgeon might say it is dangerouse, but if I remember right-- if it is not strangled then just don't lift anything and take it easy, and wait. One more thing, take the meds , you will need them.

[acranger]

I had the same kind of hernia, got hurt at work. I went right into surgery, but my doc didnt want the money up front. The WC claim was all that was needed. Got a paid month off of work too out of the deal. And a *****load of vicodin. Good call on the meds, afterwards you are gonna feel like someone drove a Pete 379 into your nuts.

[teamster]

Join the Small Business Association and get Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and never see a bill in your life, go to any doctor you feel like without a referral.
The only insurance to have!

Yeah but what is the cost for family coverage.

[Ardmore Farms Forever]

Hey AFF I had hernia surgery twice, The second time was for continuas pain, and Now I have NERVE damage, and the Worst kind, Inguinial Nerve Damage. Soo be carful! And if you have continuas pain after surgery it is probly nerve's trapped in scare tissue, etc.

I REALLY wish you hadn't posted.

Thanks Slim................but, I must fess up, I am a full-blown WUSS...........I hate even having blood drawn...........much less having my body cut............thanks for the heads-up.

I was joking about wishing you hadn't posted.


Oh yea............my company RUSHED the workman's comp through.............all I need to do is take a drug test in the AM and fill out an accident report................my company owner is awesome, he came up to me this morning with his checkbook in hand........asked if I needed any money, no matter how much it was, he'd write me a check right there......even offered to pay my $2900.00 for me..............I just couldn't take any money from him, I said "No thanks"........that's why I love working for this company...............I've not really had that many bosses in my life, me and authority figures do not get along well..........but, this man is a class act as a human being......I have nothing but respect for him.

[Slimland]

Hey AFF I had hernia surgery twice, The second time was for continuas pain, and Now I have NERVE damage, and the Worst kind, Inguinial Nerve Damage. Soo be carful! And if you have continuas pain after surgery it is probly nerve's trapped in scare tissue, etc.

I REALLY wish you hadn't posted.

Thanks Slim................but, I must fess up, I am a full-blown WUSS...........I hate even having blood drawn...........much less having my body cut............thanks for the heads-up.

I was joking about wishing you hadn't posted.


Oh yea............my company RUSHED the workman's comp through.............all I need to do is take a drug test in the AM and fill out an accident report................my company owner is awesome, he came up to me this morning with his checkbook in hand........asked if I needed any money, no matter how much it was, he'd write me a check right there......even offered to pay my $2900.00 for me..............I just couldn't take any money from him, I said "No thanks"........that's why I love working for this company...............I've not really had that many bosses in my life, me and authority figures do not get along well..........but, this man is a class act as a human being......I have nothing but respect for him.

What side was it on? Left or Right?

I am not trying to make you nervious just cascious, because this has realy screwed me up. I went from pushing pallets of 1500 to 3000 pounds, and 500 pound drums, to not being able to lift over 30 pounds and pushing or pulling more than 60. Not that I am not able, but the pain wont let me...
Now you must realize I am in a 5%, "Go figure" Most people Normal People have no problems after hernia surgery.

Just remmember, DONT PISS OFF THE SURGEON
Or the Anastesiologist

TRUST ME!!

My first surgery was Nothing but Women, and I told them "THis is not right" Now look where I am, I swear they used a chisle on my pubic bone.
The second, I told the Anastesiologist that I like the other one better, He didn't think it was funny, so I ended up with a sore throat and pissing fire, form the cathader.

So dont Piss them off.

[Ardmore Farms Forever]

I ended up with a sore throat and pissing fire, form the cathader.

WTF................................there is NO way in Hell I am going to let them insert a Cathader in my PP .................I'd rather have the GD Hernia.........Homey, don't play that game.

Oh yea.......right side.

[BanditsCousin]

MY dad had 3 back surgeries and I know a lil about the Workman's comp thing.

First off, get a lawyer. Do you like being on the backburner? If not, then get a lawyer. Workman's comp will cooperate and settle quicker, a LOT quicker.

Second, you shouldn't have to pay a dime. If I remember correctly, you're a company driver? The only reason you were picking up a piece of freight was because you were on the clock. The employer is liable.

Best of luck on the surgery. With such a common surgery you'll be fine....but NO drugs?? 8) 8)

[west_coaster]

Hey Ardmore, if they are trying to sell you on the cathider, ask them to put in in during surgery. It only hurts going in (holy crap! :shock: ), but coming out it dosn't hurt at all. Seriously, cause if you get up after surgery and can't pee, they'll be jamin' that thing in pretty quick. I used to work in a hospital as a Nursing Assistant, and used to have to assist in putting them in (no thanks!). But people that had them put in after getting knocked out for surgery were much much happier with that choice. Good luck and get well soon!

West_Coaster

[BanditsCousin]

When I was huge into bmx I crashed on a 26 foot double in the woods and ripped my nutsack and saw my nuts. I didn't get a catheder Same when I had my broken arm operated 3 separate surgeries (yes, bmx related) 8)

[teamster]

When I was huge into bmx I crashed on a 26 foot double in the woods and ripped my nutsack and saw my nuts. I didn't get a catheder Same when I had my broken arm operated 3 separate surgeries (yes, bmx related) 8)

Thats pretty rough to actually see your nuts. OUCH!!

[Windwalker]

On the insurance issue...
When my wife had cancer, she went through the surgery with Blue Cross, and had a $3,000 annual cap. That was in Nov. of 01. For New Years, they switched to Humana with straight 80% coverage, and we're still paying for the radiation and chemo. Doesn't sound like your coverage is any better.

I hate insurance companies. They continually want more money, and MORE MONEY, but when it comes to paying, they have several "BANKS" of attorneys to tell then how they can get out of paying the claim. Good luck to you.

Join the Small Business Association and get Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and never see a bill in your life, go to any doctor you feel like without a referral.
The only insurance to have!

Yeah but what is the cost for family coverage.

I don't know about family. I pay $378 per month and I would bet family would be over $500. I don't have any caps on what can be spent in one year. The only bill I ever got was for like $178 when I had surgery on both knees at a cost of over $12,000 and I wanted a private room.

[Jackrabbit379]

Anyone know if Mutual of Omaha is any good?

Wild Kingdom! I remember that show. Jim Fowler,and that old man that stood beside that painting,describing what all they were doing for that show. It was fun watching that. :P