Not much new to report on the Emily front. I’m still trying to generate some more media attention, but the growing influence of social media and the internet is having a decidedly negative impact on traditional media outlets. Space and air time are limited, but I will keep plugging.
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Back to basicsAnd now, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to return to the primary topic and purpose for "Maria Talks Back" -- my memoir, Growing Pains.When you’re self-employed, it’s the nature of the beast. Work ebbs and flows. But when I’m busy it’s a challenge to carve out time each week to market myself to ensure that the work will keep flowing.
Instead, I tend to prioritize things that have a deadline – which may be why I haven’t worked on the latest revision of my memoir in awhile.
It’s frustrating. I’m just pages away from finishing this latest edit. And when I'm finally done, I'll start all over again, at the beginning.
Since starting this blog, my voice has changed – for the better (or at least I think so). And I want that same viewpoint reflected in Growing Pains. I suppose that’s part of the process as a writer. To grow and learn and change.
Ironically, I look forward to starting over. Despite my medical challenges, the people and places I’m writing about -- those who shared in my struggle -- are infinitely dear to me and I enjoy “visiting” them through my writing.
Therefore, I’ve declared my office a Do it Now! zone.
Wish me luck!
When I started writing about Suzette and Emily last month, I never dreamed that my efforts would nudge an insurance giant like United Healthcare to do the right thing.
I need to work on raising my expectations.
Indeed, Suzette recently emailed me with the wonderful news that UH finally paid the thrice-rejected claim for her daughter Emily’s Boston Brace, covering 60 percent of the cost ($1,369.23) – in-network benefits to an out-of-network provider due to “medical necessity.”
If you know anything about brace treatment for scoliosis in young adolescents, you know that Emily, as she grows, will need subsequent Boston Braces. However, Cindy, the UH rep who confirmed UH’s action on the family’s case, told Suzette to contact her directly if she has any problem with future claims.
Suzette credits the WPTF radio interview she and Emily did on Aug. 19, the result of a media pitch I made to the station’s news director, for reversing UH's previous decisions. After months of frustration, dealing with UH’s bureaucracy, Suzette wrote in her email to me: “My gut feeling is…(i)f not for the WPTF 680 AM radio interview, NOTHING would have prompted this company to ‘re-review’ this claim. NOTHING.” If she’s right, I’m thrilled I could help, but Suzette deserves a large chunk of the credit. A fellow “mama bear,” she is one of the most tenacious individuals I’ve ever met. You only need to read (and believe) the quote at the end of her emails to understand why: “There comes a time when you have to decide whether to fish or cut bait.....And I take fishing to the EXTREME!!!!!”Bottom line: if Suzette didn’t have a paper trail a mile long, documenting her relentless efforts to make a case for Emily’s doctor-prescribed brace treatment to UH, this story would have never sprouted the wings that it did.
It’s unfortunate that ANYONE needs to go to such lengths to be heard when they’re just trying to ensure quality health care for their family. That’s why Suzette and I have agreed to continue sharing her family’s story in the hope that other families may avoid what theirs has had to endure.
