Friggin' Cigna!!!

[Peaches]

OK - I haven't had a rant on here yet - and so here goes! I'm am soooo upset right now!!! I'm having casual email conversation with my GI nurse administrator (that I just LOVE) about getting my Remicade early and she said we needed to increase my dose. Well - I mention that my insurance carrier is going to be changing from BCBS to Cigna at the beginning of the year and who should I get on the task of getting the pre-auths done so my Remicade flows smoothly. Didn't even CROSS my mind there would be an issue because I go to a university hospital that has state wide campuses and this is their medical school campus - so they see thousands and thousands of patients a year. Well - she says if I have Cigna - I'm going to have to switch docs because negotiations broke down between them and Cigna and so they aren't covering Cigna patients as of Jan 1!!!

WHAT??? I have had the SAME doctor since the inception of my diagnosis - heck, SHE is the one who diagnosed me! We are talking a 13+ year relationship! No one else has been up my bum but her and she literally knows me inside and out!!! I have the same length of time with many of my nurses there, I just can't imagine going some where else!!

I'm kinda freaked out right now and very unhappy. I sit and read everyone's posts about bad docs etc and just tell myself how lucky I am and NOW......not feeling so lucky! I'm hoping she can refer me to someone she knows personally and trusts and that the transition goes smoothly. But MAN.....this sucks.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Sorry Hun....Sometimes it can turn into a GOOD THING. Just try to hope for the best, and don't stress...please, I don't want you to flare. I was initially scheduled with a doctor who was supposedly the best. My appointments kept getting canceled. I gave up and went with his associate. I think it was suppose to go that way, he is the best doc ever. A fresh new perspective might be good, try to be positive.

 

[Peaches]

I feel kinda like that little center ornament guy of yours right now - trapped! But thanks Carrie - you are right - I will try and be positive and have faith that I will get another doctor as good as she is. I'm just not a big person for change - especially not when the I've had pretty smooth sailing with her.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Maybe she can recommend a colleague since you are leaving for insurance reasons and not malpractice issues.

 

[farm]

I'm sorry Shantel. Friggin insurance companies.
Like Carrie said, maybe you'll find the bestest doctor ever this way?

 

[slice]

Wow, that REALLY SUCKS... I'm so sorry to hear that. I have the same fear since I heard my employer might be switching carrier. I do think docs are a bit like hair stylists. After a certain lenght of time they stop really seeing you and your potential and it doesn't hurt to get a new persective. Still this is a very personal kind of disease and comfort with the relationship is so important. Good luck with this and keep us posted.

 

[Peaches]

Thanks guys! After processing it a bit - I need to realize that it really has been just the comfort of knowing everyone and being able to easily access either my nurse or doc for quick responses. Since I have been on the Remicade, I have been on autopilot with my doctor - only having to see her once a year to make the insurance company happy. And well, it is a trust issue - I trust everyone there and know that they are doing what is best for me. Maybe Cigna will renegotiate next year and I can move back. I'll just try and be positive about it and see what happens (says the girl who is not in a flare!!!! God forbid that happen!).

 

[Crohn's 35]

Sorry Shantel, I know change is good but not when you rely on a doctor that you like and have to change because someone else makes you change. I dislike surprises and hate the rug being pulled out from underneath me. I really realize how lucky I am (knock-on-wood) our insurance company has been really good to us and I finally found a good GI, no one controls that but him, my biggest worry is that he will retire, and there a few right behind him. I remind him that I dont want him to retire, but he is in his 70's (graduated in 61') do the math.

At least you are not in major pain right now, that is a blessing... all you can do is think in a positive way that it could be a good thing. Stupid insurance companies. I am glad I live in Canada for that reason.

 

[Peaches]

Great news....twelfth hour negotiations brought an agreement between CIGNA and my doc of 13 years!! They signed a 2 year contract, so hopefully I will be good for at least the next couple of years.

YAY!!!

 

[tamesis]

YAY! That is so good to hear, i imagine it would be extremely frustrating to have to switch doctors when you have a good rapport.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Good news....All that worry for nutin!!!!

 

[Peaches]

I know - once my man said they were prolly just posturing - I pretty much gave up the worry wart (ok 90% of the worry wart!).

 

[Crohn's 35]

Good stuff Peaches! It is bad enough to deal with this disease but added stress of Cigna crap. I would hate to give up my Gi after finding him 5 Gi's later.