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frustratedpilot Names Have Been Changed/Left Out To Protect The Elves.
I'm sure I have alluded plenty to Dad's medical problems over the years. About ten years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer in his gall bladder and soon after there was an operation to remove the bladder. During that time, the doctors at the VA also diagnosed a problem with his esophagus, but put off doing anything about it.
His esophagus closed shut on July 4th this year, and he couldn't eat, drink or take medicine. On the advice of a family friend who is a registered nurse, we called Veterans' Affairs, who is Dad's PRIMARY CARE GIVER, and they told us to have him go to the nearest Emergency Room since it was a health emergency. The doctors at Jefferson County Hospital recommended an endoscopy operation, so Dad's first preference was to have it done at the VA Hospital in Mountain Home. The VA was contacted, and responded that they didn't have anybody on duty or on-call who could do that procedure that day, because it was a Federal Holiday weekend. So instead, the operation was done at St. Mary's in Knoxville, who billed the VA, who has since refused to pay.
The VA's argument is that the procedure was NOT an emergency and that Dad is not a PRIMARY CARE patient of the VA. No matter that the VA KNEW that this was a possible threat to his health for years and neglected to arrange a remedy. No matter that Dad is not just a Military Veteran but a retiree of the VA itself. No matter that Dad followed VA's own orders and directions.
Why am I talking about this now? Because we got a surprise card in the mail today. Dad's wealthiest relative sent him a check of an amazingly generous amount. Not enough to pay his medical bills, but enough to pay off the mortgage on Rather Manor. Christmas for us will not be tomorrow but Monday, when the parents visit the bank.
Things will not be easier for us, but the season is looking less gloomy than it did yesterday. We still have one heck of a Grinch to fight and tame, but now it looks like we can do it.
I'm sure I have alluded plenty to Dad's medical problems over the years. About ten years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer in his gall bladder and soon after there was an operation to remove the bladder. During that time, the doctors at the VA also diagnosed a problem with his esophagus, but put off doing anything about it.
His esophagus closed shut on July 4th this year, and he couldn't eat, drink or take medicine. On the advice of a family friend who is a registered nurse, we called Veterans' Affairs, who is Dad's PRIMARY CARE GIVER, and they told us to have him go to the nearest Emergency Room since it was a health emergency. The doctors at Jefferson County Hospital recommended an endoscopy operation, so Dad's first preference was to have it done at the VA Hospital in Mountain Home. The VA was contacted, and responded that they didn't have anybody on duty or on-call who could do that procedure that day, because it was a Federal Holiday weekend. So instead, the operation was done at St. Mary's in Knoxville, who billed the VA, who has since refused to pay.
The VA's argument is that the procedure was NOT an emergency and that Dad is not a PRIMARY CARE patient of the VA. No matter that the VA KNEW that this was a possible threat to his health for years and neglected to arrange a remedy. No matter that Dad is not just a Military Veteran but a retiree of the VA itself. No matter that Dad followed VA's own orders and directions.
Why am I talking about this now? Because we got a surprise card in the mail today. Dad's wealthiest relative sent him a check of an amazingly generous amount. Not enough to pay his medical bills, but enough to pay off the mortgage on Rather Manor. Christmas for us will not be tomorrow but Monday, when the parents visit the bank.
Things will not be easier for us, but the season is looking less gloomy than it did yesterday. We still have one heck of a Grinch to fight and tame, but now it looks like we can do it.
