Dear Greg & Suzanne,
   My name is Paula (from PA) and I was diagnosed in May of 1992.  I have
had DBS and my first change of
batteries  this past Tuesday.  First, I'm curious that BOTH your parents
have PD. Secondly, will Tri-Care for Life
take on people with pre-existing conditions?  Personally, I would stay with
Blue Cross/Blue Shield with Medicare
being Primary.  I would hang in there until we see exactly what changes the
government has in mind.  If you care to return this e-mail, my address is
[log in to unmask]  Good luck.  Paula
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg & Suzanne" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 12:37 PM
Subject: Urgent Question About Health Insurance


> Hi, fellow list members--
>
> I was a member of this list a couple of years ago, seeking answers to
> questions for my parents, who have Parkinson's.  I am returning with an
> urgent question about health insurance.  My parents want to terminate
> their
> secondary Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Medicare Primary) coverage and
> substitute
> for it Tri-Care for Life, which is available only to military veterans on
> pension.
>
> What are list members' recommendations?  Mom phoned me today and told me
> that they were thinking of changing.  Dad is a retired federal employee,
> so
> they must decide by November 15.   Mom and Dad have phoned all their
> doctors, who say they will continue treating them under Tri-Care for
> Life.  Mom and Dad tell me that they are tired of all the paper work
> demanded by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  When I got them to enroll in Blue
> Cross/Blue Shield about six years ago, it was the opinion of many on this
> list serve that Blue Cross/ Blue Shield would be their best bet for their
> situation.  They had big problems with their previous HMO when they were
> in
> the hospital, so we would like to be careful.  Please give us any advice
> on
> experience you have had.
>
> For background on my parents' PD:  My parents, ages 86 and 79, have been
> treated for PD for the past six and four years, respectively.  My Dad has
> been diagnosed with the tremor dominant-type PD, takes Sinamet, and is
> lucky enough to still be able to swim regularly and drive some.  Mom has
> been diagnosed with PN; two neurologists suggested that she may have the
> PD
> variety, where the muscles stiffen.  She does not wish to pursue further
> diagnosis, because she has had great difficulty tolerating drugs and
> prefers to stay on the least amount of Sinamet that her family
> practitioner
> prescribed.  She is frail, has balance problems, and uses a
> walker.  Despite their health problems, they are very happy living
> independently in an apartment in a continuing care retirement community.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice list members can provide.
>
> --Suzanne
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn