The Mom Approach to RED TAPE….

So as back to school  is upon many of us I of course like most Mom’s I am  crossing off  the endless list of chores before the first day of school. However having a child with Chronic illness and a physical disability means I also have to  take a bunch of other steps to ensure Brandyn will be happy and safe when he embarks on 2nd grade this September

I attend   meetings to decide on a new medical plan,  meetings to decide on an education plan  and of course the completing of all the medical forms  and purchasing  of all the prescriptions that need to be on hand JUST  IN CASE…

Brandyn has severe food Allergies as mentioned in a previous blog which means the school district likes to protect themselves from liability when it comes to having him eat in their school

When he started 1st grade I had a meeting to discuss his allergies and his ability to purchase a school lunch as the inclusive education act allows.

It was a disaster the district representative  basically accused me of having munchausen syndrome since she had never heard of his allergies and the meeting ended in my storming out yelling profanities..

We ripped up the District letter which was sent following our meeting that stated for his safety Brandyn was prohibited from eating any food not provided by home and did things our own way.

I took the Mom approach and went to the cafeteria where I befriended the lunch ladies .. volunteering in the cafeteria helping kids with ordering their food and remembering their pin for the lunch account. In return I got access to the ingredients used in a lot of the prepared meals so I could advise Brandyn what was safe for him to eat and what was not  so he could be like every other first grader and buy his lunch every now and then.

Although the more I saw the lunches the more  we decided a home-made lunch was far more appetizing but it was the principle that counted..

This year I am actually the 2nd grade chair which means I am in charge of scheduling the lunch volunteers so not only do I get access to the meal ingredients I get to see my child during one of the most social times of the school day and I love it.

I have also had success getting around school technicalities with Brandyn’s physical disability as well by volunteering in the classroom . Since Brandyn does require a little more support and help within the classroom I need a not only a good teacher but one who is willing to go above and beyond. So once again I volunteer. I stuff envelopes with newsletters , welcome new parents and one day I even sat and  sharpened pencils .

It helped the teacher out and in return I got a teacher who was far  more receptive to Brandyn’s needs.

Brandyn currently has a medical access plan instead of a 504 plan for his physical disability thanks to my “Mom approach” and  it  works well.. Brandyn is able to access a fun, safe education just like everyone else and we did not have to go through any red tape of fighting the district to do it .

However if there comes a day when they fall  short I am ready to go to battle with them to get Brandyn what he needs..

Does your child have an IEP , 504 or medical action plan??  Have you been successful in getting  your child’s school to work with you?? Tell me about it

New Name , New Start

Well …. my last blog post was a while ago thanks to my son being Sick. Before he spent 10 days coughing, crouping, wheezing and climbing the walls on steroids I had launched a competition for my new Blog name.

So with apologies for the delay….  the Winner of the $10 Starbucks gift card is Darcie Newton.

Darcie is a new Social media Friend, something that is occurring more  often  lately since Participating in the Social media Training “c4 by Ann Evanston” for my job as a local childcare coordinator with Cultural care Au pair.

Ann Evanston’s training has taught me many great things about the social media world. Not only did Ann  encourage my blogging but also has encouraged my interaction on social media sites.

So thanks to Ann and louise another Social media BFF  I meet Darcie and thanks to Darcie I found my new blog name.

Darcie is also a fellow Blogger and in fact when reading her bio on her Facebook page it became obvious why she won the competition.

Here is snip-it from here Bio

I am an idea gal. I love to put ideas and businesses together. I am a big thinker. I believe in the value and power of team. Recently someone I admire and respect used the words “tenacious” and “creative” to describe me…got to love that.

I realized after that these qualities have created many interesting opportunities for me…I’ve never doubted my ability to get the job done as long as I don’t have to do every last detail.

Through her blog My Wealth Spa : She  educates women (and sometimes men) on how to take charge of their money so they can relax and retire. We do this by showing them how to self direct their Retirement Accounts and how to fill their accounts with all types of assets from the traditional (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) to the non-traditional (real estate, notes, land, gold, etc.).

Darcie is also a member of Ann’s social media coaching club and I am sure Darcie would also agree that Ann has truly taken our  businesses to the next level.

If you are interested in taking your business to the next level then click here to find out more  about Ann Evanston’s 2 year anniversary special and how you can join the social media coaching club.

http://www.warrior-preneur.com/social-networking-coaching-club/

Darcie please send me your address so I can send you your prize

Insurance claims denied !!! Tips on how to get them approved

As a Mom of a child with Chronic illness and a connective tissue disorder health insurance companies are my Frienemy . They cover a majority of our   health bills which  without I would be living  on the street. But their endless fee increases and claim battles drive me CRAZY..

6 years ago when my husband started his own company we decided to take individual insurance for 2 reasons.

1: it meant that we did not have to stay at a job we did not like just for benefits nor did we have to increase everyone’s else premiums in the plan because we were chronically sick

2: because the individual plan had no lifetime maximum. Why is that important ?? well with a kid who always sick it is super important . Maxing out his health coverage before he was 21 would be a huge problem.

I never want to not be able to get him treatment for something because he was no longer insurable. So needless to say we pay and arm and a leg for health care a month in fact  it is our single  biggest expense every month!!!!

So last week I got a bill from my Dr’s office dating back to 2007/ 2008 . There were 13 charges of $10  a total of $130 owed. The Dr’s were charging me the difference between what I paid on the day and what the Insurance was telling them I should have paid.

After 1 hour on the phone and a lot of frustration we figured out that when my plan increased in 2007 the system wiped out our elected  primary care physician from our system . So they were billing me the difference between a primary care visit and a specialist visit.

I was quick to explain that any system change was surely not my fault  she very quickly responded  that yes it was . She said as the customer it is my job to always check that everything is in order,   clearly read the instructions when new  cards are  mailed and to check that all details on the card were as before !!!!!

It was at that point Mr nice guy got off the phone and I asked to speak to a manager who after explaining the whole story to again agreed to adjust the claim . However not before having to submit a request to re open the claim since more than a year had passed they technically not able to do anything!!!

However she did remind me of one thing I am the customer!! The  one who pays a lot of money and that just because they are my health care insurer and we need them  I should not feel intimidated to question when they do not perform a service i have paid them to do.

It is only after years of battling this stuff I have manged to live through insurance calls with out going completely insane or bankrupt.

So here are some good tips to remember when dealing with insurance companies

ALWAYS document on the bill/claim you are calling about the date and time you called and ALWAYS get the name of the person you are speaking to.

Write a brief description down on the bill in question to document what was discussed and agreed upon.

Never TAKE their denial as a final answer. I was once told insurance companies deny claims the first time around because 7 out of 10 people will accept the denial and pay it !!!!

Always request an appeal for denied  claims. If the appeal is Denied call again and speak to a manager about why is was denied and if the reason is not valid have your DR follow-up with a note .

If they think you’re not backing down you stand a much better chance of getting an approval notice.

FOLLOW UP if they do not call or send a letter call them back and stay on top of the claim.

Having time expire makes it very difficult to get the claim paid.

READ THE FINE PRINT as the lady told me it is your job the customer to read the terms and conditions of your policy … knowledge is power

TRY and be calm and polite when speaking to the representative ( this can be hard at times but try to remember that they are not the ones who make the rules they just deliver them).

LASTLY  keep copies of all records in a safe place for at least 3 years you never know when a bill will turn up and you will need to call and battle it out

http://www.marketmetweet.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=828

Help Needed!!!

So as I slowly learn my way around the blogging world with help from my social media Coach Ann Evanston I have hit a road block.

I was under the impression that if…” I built it ,they  would come”.. but I have learned they will not come unless I build it right. So that means I need a Blog with a GREAT name. Something Catchy, something Business Branding and some thing “ME”

This has tormented me for weeks  so I have come to the decision I can not let it hold me back any longer… Sitting and waiting for an epiphany could take forever.

So here is where you come in   …  loyal blogger ,new follower or someone who is just curious to help me out..

What do you think a good name for my blog would be !!!! read my posts check out my tagline and see what epiphany you have

here are 2 very strong considerations on my list

Chronic Happiness

The wellness Chronicles

Place your suggestion in a comment . If I choose your Blog title I will send you a $10 Starbucks card. To receive the gift card you will need to subscribe   and post the suggestion by Tuesday August 3rd.

The gift card will be given to The the person who suggests the title not someone who votes on a suggestion.

I can’t wait to see the creativity the blogging world has for me

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last week  along with my husband and son I attended  the EDNF national conference. Which is the bi yearly conference for sufferers of My son’s physical disability Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Never heard Of it??? you’re not alone neither had my husband and I before our son was born and since his diagnosis we have discovered we both Have it!!! It affects about 1 in 2,500

It is a connective tissues disorder that can affect everything from the heart , skin and joints the biggest down fall PAIN and as a Mom knowing your kids has a disorder that can cause uncontrollable pain it is  VERY hard to swallow.

Some physical characteristics of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome  commonly referred to as double jointed

2 years ago I flew to Texas to attend the National Conference and meet amazing Dr’s and  sufferers who helped us to better deal with our diagnosis.

This years conference was held in Baltimore so we decided to  make a trip out of it and all go. Brandyn was old enough to attend the specific kids and teens program to help support him  in his awareness of the condition.

My husband and I were to able to both attend  the many panels with  various medical professionals to get  a better understanding of  research  and the search for a cure!

I have to be honest and say it was not as helpful as my first conference. 4  years into the diagnosis we had forced ourselves to understand this disorder  and become  somewhat self-taught experts..

What was overwhelming was the support from the other families and the  feeling of not being alone.

There was a great sense of relief in talking to another Mom who  understood the difficulties of raising a child with EDS . The understanding of the very common term “well you don’t look sick”…

On the last day of the conference someone had a great idea to call and impromptu parents discussion. A banding together for support and solutions. It was amazing to see how having an understanding ear  made a world of  difference.

My bright Idea was to start a Facebook page  so we could all stay in touch and have discussion’s about research and related medical updates.

A few days in It is alive with discussion on how to help others  and  where to turn next.        ( if only my work social media efforts could be as successful ).

Support is an amazing  thing it gives you hope and empowers you with strength.

Does your child have an illness or disability? have you been lucky enough to find support to empower you?

Tell me your story…
Share

Rebecca Simpson Cronin
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Food Allergy Dismissed

Since my son Brandyn  has been a baby he was diagnosed with some very weird food allergies. Some of them life threatening  some of them not. Grocery shopping for us can pose some challenges and involve  endless reading of  labels.

But living across the street from an Organic Farmers market and Traders Joes has helped. Along with Brandyn’s  Great attitude about it

His list of allergies include benzoate, Nitrates, (Nasty preservatives)  Diary and Corn. He has been a trooper through it all. As he had grown up it has got easier and harder.

Easier that he is able to scan the package himself and look for the list of DO NOT EAT ingredients.

Harder because there are more temptations. Explaining to a kid what Benzoate is and why they have to put it foods is hard. However Disney did help us out with that one last year with the movie Monster Vs Alien . Some of you may remember the B.O.B character from the movie . My son Jumped out of his seat during the description of the character                 ( benzoate ostylezene bicarbonate)

Brandyn found solace in the fact that he could finally have an object to relate  to the weird name that has prevented him from enjoying foods at Birthday party’s , playdates and holiday feasts.

But today was a good day Brandyn was able to sit down to Dinner and eat a Fresh piece of buttery Corn on the cob without the fear of being sick , struggling to breath or having several visits to the bathroom.

We have been slowly testing his Allergy over the last few weeks with no reactions  so we have come to the conclusion he has grown out of his Allergy …

For a Kid who has gone to Mexican restaurants and forgone the corn chips , sat through many a BBQ’s not  eating the corn on the cob and gone to the movies and NOT had the popcorn… TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY…

Today gave him hope that one day he will be able to try cold cuts  or hot dogs or junky food filled with preservatives like benzoate.. but in all honesty We have found much healthier alternatives to these. Ones that In fact taste better and are better for you that when that day comes we hope he will not be bothered!!!

As a Mom to not carry around a Epi – Pen  everyday and not to  have to give a lecture every time he goes on a playdate or a list a mile long when filling out a school form  I will be happy . Check out  Brandyn’s  corn and butter filled smile…

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY ALLERGIES???

HOW TO FIND A GOOD PEDIATRICIAN

Last week Brandyn had his annual check up with this pediatrician , well actually it is not his “Annual Check up “.

As a child with Chronic illness and ( EDS) Ehlers Danlos Syndrome he goes every 4 mths for his check up. But what his visit reminded me of was how lucky we are to have found a GREAT pediatrician.

Reminded I was by not only the her great manor with Brandyn, her thorough  exam and ability to  listen to my concerns  but by Dr Allevi’s Giant Belly. Our visit was her last before going on maternity leave and a  part of me was FREAKING out about her 6 mth leave.

Brandyn got REALLY sick for the first time when he was 5 mths old  and until he was 3 we went through a dozen or more Dr’s to find one that would listen to us.

For us we needed  someone who was cutting edge medicine but also willing to see the benefits of holistic medicine too.  Most important was  someone who realized that some times even though it sounds CRAZY Mom’s can diagnosed their kids illnesses too!!!!!

Dr Allevi is all of those things. She is very thorough , patient , and she is FANTASTIC at  what I call being  the “Captian of Brandyn’s ship” .

Since Brandyn does see a lot of specialists that prescribe all very different treatments and prescriptions she is the leader of it all. Making sure that all the decision’s of the individual Dr’s make sense when you look at Brandyn as a whole and not just one part.

Here are some useful tools for you if you are struggling with your Child’s pediatrician or are on the hunt

INTERVIEW THEM FIRST.

Just because a Dr is covered by your insurance it is not a reason to sign them up as your primary care. Call and see if the Dr offers new paitent Interview times

ASK QUESTIONS.

Make sure that not only the Dr is the right fit for you but the Dr’s staff are too. If the secretary is non responsive or overwhelmed you may never get in touch with her  to even get an appointment , ask about there policies on sick visits and availability.

FIND OUT WHAT SERVICES THEY OFFER

Make sure they are going to cater to your child’s needs. If your child has a special need or chronic illness you are going to need specialized care make sure they have the right equipment and skills to handle these.

EXPLAIN YOUR NEEDS

After I had gone through at least half a dozen Dr’s I started faxing the Dr’s office a list of our needs as a patient. Basically i just set clear expectations of what we were looking for in a Dr and then asked them to call me back if they felt they would be able to commit to what we were looking for… Many Dr’s didn’t call back but Dr Allevi did and we have not been disappointed.

Being the GREAT Pediatrician Dr Allevi is, she did not leave for Maternity leave without coming up with an action plan for her absence.  So my FREAKING out was short lived  and I feel confident we will survive the 6 mths till her return

I am Officially Blogging…

So what big  important comment should I make  for my very first Blog post other than” Thank you for reading and Welcome”… being new to blogging I would love to DREAM BIG and say I hope to teach and Enlighten , but in reality maybe I can just be a platform for Smiles and Sunshine…

I am a  mom who wakes up each morning with Spring in my step and plans to conqeor everything on my to do list and collapses into bed each night excepting that somedays the list gets shorter and others it doesn’t

Today was a good day.. I managed to tick some things of the list , spend some quality time with my son Swimming and make it through the day with only 2 cups of coffee.

oh and I learned I may be coming a push over ” while at the store buying a gift for a friends daughter my son asked for something and I said “maybe” .. he cheered with delight and said ” I love it when you say maybe because that means YES”…

I maybe changing my vocab for the rest of the summer!!