Wednesday, February 27, 2008
UP YOURS!
As I mentioned last week, I’ve scheduled a colonoscopy, and you should too if you’re of a certain age or have a family history.
So today, this story crosses the wire.
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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The Aetna insurance company says it will delay a new policy that would no longer cover the cost of using anesthesiologists during colonoscopies.
The policy had been opposed by a group of New Jersey doctors.
The policy was to take effect April 1. Aetna now says it will be implemented after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves other forms of sedation.
Aetna says that groups and individuals not identified by the Hartford-based insurer have misinterpreted the policy as no longer covering sedation. It says the confusion could make patients hesitant to undergo cancer screening or other procedures.
Aetna initially announced its policy in December. It says the price for colonoscopies can increase up to $1,000 if an anesthesiologist prescribes propofol.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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I’m not covered by Aetna. Obviously, they don’t want you to have a colonoscopy without being sedated, which is awfully nice of them.
So today, this story crosses the wire.
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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The Aetna insurance company says it will delay a new policy that would no longer cover the cost of using anesthesiologists during colonoscopies.The policy had been opposed by a group of New Jersey doctors.
The policy was to take effect April 1. Aetna now says it will be implemented after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves other forms of sedation.
Aetna says that groups and individuals not identified by the Hartford-based insurer have misinterpreted the policy as no longer covering sedation. It says the confusion could make patients hesitant to undergo cancer screening or other procedures.
Aetna initially announced its policy in December. It says the price for colonoscopies can increase up to $1,000 if an anesthesiologist prescribes propofol.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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-----------------------I’m not covered by Aetna. Obviously, they don’t want you to have a colonoscopy without being sedated, which is awfully nice of them.
But I’ll tell you what, Aetna decision makers. YOU all have colonoscopies first with your alternative to anesthesia, and let me know how it works out.
I, for one, look forward to my colonoscopies for 4 reasons: my peace of mind, to keep my mother quiet, to get the day off, and to get legally higher than a kite.
The doctor tells me to count back from 100, and I’m gone by 97. And I feel GREAT afterwards.
And here you go, Aetna, giving my insurer ideas.
And here you go, Aetna, giving my insurer ideas.
Thanks a lot for trying to take all the fun out of a colonoscopy.
Posted at 9:41 PM by Gerry
2 Comments:
Can't - and really wouldn't want to - imagine what a colonoscopy would be like without the anesthesia. That's just sick!!
Having our own little battle over insurance right now - hubby broke his kneecap at work yesterday (yeah, owie) and the surgeon doesn't want to process through Worker's Comp, but through our private insurance. Because he won't get paid as fast. How screwed up is that? That's what we get for allowing medical care to be a for-profit industry.
Ouch.
I kind of feel bad for the dentists and doctors I know because they really have to be as adept at business as they do at medicine.
It's the insurance coverage that constantly has me either confused or swearing like a sailor.
Sorry, sailors.
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