Lots of phone calls

We screwed up. We found out that just because Dad has a Medicare card it doesn't mean he can use it.

On Monday we went to see Dr. Ibrahim. He's the neurologist that Drew and Mindy recommended. We gave them Dad's Medicare card and thought that everything was ok. Turns out it wasn't. Dad has Blue Cross and is enrolled with the Riverside Physician's Network. His primary care doc doesn't refer to Dr. Ibrahim. Without a referral Blue Cross won't pay and neither will Medicare. The day we saw Dr. Ibrahim Dad also got an EEG and some blood work. Now we're stuck with a big bill.

Oops.

Today we made a bunch of phone calls to try to get this straightened out. We're gettin' educated. If he changes his primary doc he can still see Dr. Ibrahim and Blue Cross will pay for it. Or he can keep the primary doc and see a different neurologist. Dr. Ibrahim's office will send the claim through to Blue Cross which they will probably deny. They'll send Dad a denial letter. After that we can appeal the denial.

This took all morning. I'm already worn out. Sherri is working on painting something today so she's unavailable for the Rubidoux hike. I think I'll do it anyway. I need to work off some stress. Three times up and down the mountain oughta do it.

Actually, if I make it halfway up it'll be a miracle.