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----- Original Message ----- From: "Hilary Blue" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 9:59 AM Subject: the further adventures of my friend anne > some of you may recall that i used to quote my friend anne fairly often. > she developed foot and hand exercises > was redioagnosed as having dopoa responsive dystonia > and of late experienced a severe exposure to pesticides > with seriously debilitating results. > well, the latest is as follows: > the pesticides have set up an auto immune response > originally triggered by her exposure to pesticides in 1994 > but severely irritated by the recent exposure. > This has caused a rapidly spreading neuropathy > which is destroying the axons > this deterioration is quite noticeable > and if and when it reaches the diaphragm, > she will be confined to ICU and a respirator > to keep her lungs functioning. > yes, steroids might do the trick 0- > but anne cant take steroids. > there is a treatment - IgG - in a 5 day infusion. > The cost of this treatment is $12000 > and it needs to be done soon. > Every day counts. > it is a recognized treatment [passed by the fda] > but beaurocratic delays by the hmo > have already caused a week's delay, > which shows no sign of being solved > how does my friend anne > persuade the insurance of the urgency - > this is a life thbreate4ning situation > and get them to authorize the tereatment she so desperately needs? > > hilary Hilary, I ran into problems with my HMO several times. Pacificare (my HMO here in Arizona) has an appeal process, and a client advocate. I found that the appeal process was beneficial, but that I had to out-think the HMO by gathering updated information that supported me request. the advocate was helpful, but ou need to realize that employees of an HMO attempt to make you realized the wisdom of the HMO's decision and not really advocate for you. I will add your friend Anne to my prayers. EJ Bryan