Stressed

I was scheduled for surgery on Oct. 22nd with a civilian Dr. However, I have just learned that the military insurance, my husband is active duty) is not going to pay unless I go to the military hospital, even though I have a standard plan that usually allows me to see civilian Dr's. I never go on base. However, apparently there is a catch for surgery and I do not get a choice. This came as a shcok to me on Friday when I learned that a Dr. in a "military"hospital is the only one who will get paid by my insurance. Most people have heard the horror stories of military hospitals, I can't sleep at well after hearing this news. I am scared because my hysterectony is not going to be routine. I have endo, probably also in the uterine lining. I believe that this is true because of the pain I have. I have had moderate endo all over my pelvic area, including both ovaries and on my ureter in the past. My uteris is prolapsed, not yet hanging out though, thank God. Intercourse is impossible and this is affecting my marriage.The military Dr. I am forced to go to has never seen a case of endo with prolapse. I am very concerned that he will not be qualiified. (Although, he is the cheif of OB.GYN at this militrary hospital).His speciality is prolapse. I appealed the decsion and it was denied. My husband is going to go to the hospital on Monday about that appeal. I'm not sure if it will help. This Dr. says he may have to make an incision. I beleive I shouldn't need one. He also says heis not sure he will be able to see my ovaries to look at them. My civilian Dr. says that at my age, 33, he will be able to see my ovaries for sure. I want them left, but visually checked for disease. The base Dr. has never heard of a correlation between ovarian cancer and endo. This is not new news.... He dismissed my concerns about ovarian cancer. Both Dr.s are going to do VH excpet there is a possible incision by the base Dr. After getting scared, I have done research. It seems that the best surgery procedure for someone with my history is LAVH. Should I just find a reputable Dr. and pay for it on my own, somehow. We could manage it in payments. Please help me with this decision. If you can recommend a Dr. I live in the Dayton, OH area. But, I may be able to travel for the surgery.

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Hi Debbie,

No wonder you are stressed - I'm sure it came as a real shock. I hope that your DH's commanding officer can become involved on your behalf.

I've never had any experience with military insurance and can't give you any advice about how to further appeal the decision, but I did want to welcome you to Hyster Sisters and to send you some cyber 's.

Is there a possibility that your civilian doctor and the military doctor could have a consultation? Do you think it would be possible for your civilian doctor to "assist" the military doctor during surgery? I'm just thinking out loud here, and don't know if it would even be possible.

I hope that you'll continue to read and to post here, and that others will be along soon who have had experience with military insurance/hospitals.

Please keep us posted.

's

My opinion is go with the Dr. you are comfortable with and make payments. Most civilian Drs take credit cards - horrible interest but maybe you can use one of the "convenience checks" they always send.

If your husband is an officer MAYBE you have a chance of changing their mind - but if he's just an enlisted man, from what I remember of growing up on an Air Force Base, you really haven't got a snowball's chance.

I think KDeit has a good idea about your civilian Dr. assisting.

Good Luck,

Mark is a Major. - 11 years in the service. He is the same rank as the Dr. I'm hoping his rank may help. But, I'm not sure. His commanding officer is a Col. maybe we can get him involved Thanks for the suggestion. I wonder if my civilian Dr. could assist. I will ask him. I believe, though, that Dr.'s only work out of certain hospitals. It is worth asking, even if I have to pay him out of pocket. That is still a savings over paying the anestsiologist and hospital also if I were to go to him in a a civilian hospital. I would like to hear more from people who had LAVH vs. VH vs. the one with the inscision.
Thanks for your help!

Debbie,

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!

I am a navy brat and I must tell you that back in 79 I had surgery in the Army Hospital in Hawaii and I was taken very good care of by everyone there, my dad was a Senior Chief and not an officer. Until I reached the age of 21 I was covered by Champus, the military insurance. I am aware that Champus is not the insurance carrier any longer because my dad and mom get their care at our VA hospital.

I would not only get your Dh's commanding officer involved but I would also have your Dh put a call into your insurance carrier, that is still your right. I believe they have provisions in their policies that if you are unable to get treatment from a specialist trained in the field you need you may be allowed to go to a civilian doc and hospital. Even in the military the squeeky wheel gets the grease.

Please post again to let us know how things are going.

s

Donna

Debbie,
I am sorry you are feeling so stressed. Living with what you have is stressful enough, without adding more. I no longer am able to use the military hospital, but when I did, they were always good at what they did. I of course cant speak for the hospital in your area, but here in Tacoma at Madigan hospital, it is a good place. I believe the doctors are right on top of things, and are very good at what they do. In fact if I had a choice, i would go to the military hospital over a civilian one anytime. I have endo, and I was told by my doctor, that an incision is the best thing to do, because it allows them to see everything alot better. Endo can be around things, hiding , and I agree it may be much harder to deal with looking vaginally. I am not a doctor, but can i ask you about keeping your ovaries? Mine are going away,because with endo,(i have been told) there is a big chance it will come back again later if they are not taken out, and I dont want to have to do this all over again. I understand your frustration, but maybe you could talk to your civilian doctor about what is happening, and ask his opinion on what the military doctor says. If your civilian doctor is as good as you think he is, he will be happy to answer your questions, even if it is about another doctors opinion on procedures. Best of luck in finding your answers, and getting what you feel is best for you.....

Hi Debbie,

I'm sorry to hear that you are so stressed out especially when you thought you had everything all lined up.

Here is my two cents. I had a TAH/BSO on 9/4 at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. I am active duty Air Force for the past 20 years.

I have never had any problems with any military hospital or clinic that I've been too. All 4 of my children have been born on base including Guam and England. They were very attentive and caring just as you would expect any medical professionals to be.

For my endo, a vertical incision was the only option. I had a lap 10 years ago when they diagnosed the endo and there was fear that my non-reproductive organs were being affected. I opted to go for the TAH because I didn't want a lap and then the eventual TAH.

Of course I can only speak about my circumstances and experiences. Each of us is different and I understand how horrible it must feel to have confidence in your regular doctor only to find out he won't be able to perform the surgery.

I wish you the very best during this difficult time and I hope a solution that satisifies you can be worked out.

Take care.

Welcome Debbie, You sure have a lot on your mind. I hope you somehow can get this situation to your advantage. I had military insurance from my DH for the first 4 years of our marriage. I had no problems with them but the biggest thing done was the birth of my first son. I have learned though PUSH, there is always someone that can help you out in the military. I'll keep you in my prayers. Keep us posted. Love, ((((STITCHER))))

OK....I was a military brat and I can relate to your nervousness about military health care.

If I were in your position Id see if I could have the civilian doctor meet with or consult via phone or in person about the procedures with the military doctor. Maybe between the two of them they can agree on what you need and possibly find another physician from another military hospital with the proper experience or ability to do whats best for you.

I would only hope that two doctors can be professional enough to share opinions and keep your best interest as the priority. Maybe the two of them can get the procedure you need done by another military doctor that youre comfortable with.

There are a few excellent physicians in the military hospitals. My uncle was a vascular surgeon for the army....after which he went in to his own private practice, he became ranked in the top ten in the US, then taught new surgeons, and later returned to a military hospital in Hawaii.

Hopefully all of your worries can be put to rest with them collaborating together. Just dont settle for less regardless.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!