Health Insurance and the informed consumer

Whether your insurance company is paying for your health services or you are paying out of pocket, I highly recommend being an informed consumer.You wouldn't pay more for a shirt at Dillards when you can get the exact same shirt at Target much cheaper. I am on Tysabri right now and was going to an infusion center at the hospital for the infusions. I received my first EOB and my insurance paid $4,000 just for the infusion, this does not include the cost of the medicine. I immediately called my insurance company to ask about other facilities. As it turns out there is one other facility in my area, Walgreens Infusion Clinic, that is set up to administer Tysabri. Now the makers of Tysabri have a One Touch program with strict guidelines that anyone who administers the infusion must comply with. So technically the care has to be the same. The cost at Walgreens for the infusion...I don't have the exact number yet but it is looking like closer to $800. That is a HUGE difference. And Although my insurance is paying for it, why should they pay so much more? The point is by not paying attention to the costs I am driving up the cost of healthcare for all of my colleagues at work...for no reason. Please be an informed consumer of your healthcare. It will help everyone in the long run.

Poetry: LALALA

I adore that la la la euphoria
at peace both inside and out
thoughts dancing around
but then take another route

Not focused on anything at all
and that is totally okay
It may appear I'm not on the ball
but I choose to embrace this day

Yesterday and tomorrow don't matter
in the larger scheme
This doesn't happen every day
but today I dare to dream. 

Poetry: On the brink

On the brink of something
but it's just out of reach
Spinning around inside my mind
waiting for you to catch up
Watching the minutes tick by
feels like hours sitting in this trance
Sleep wants to consume me
but for some reason I resist
I lock myself inside my head
and wander why you're not there
Why don't you notice when I leave
and seek me out the way you used to?
I want to be alone but please don't go
Pursue me and I'll know you care
Beckon me out of this withdrawal
Tell me I mean the world to you
and that you long to know me more
that you miss my presence here
that you want me to come home
Until I can resurface
I will search this place for the cause
For the elusive thoughts
that lure me deep inside
I will be back soon.

Poetry - Bliss

Give me something for the pain
and help me sleep at night
Another pill to repair my mood
and make me feel alright

Perhaps the meds will kill me
or they're the less of the evils
Either way I will adjust
like conquering a fear of needles

Maybe I am blessed this way
a rare chance to live a second life
in my youth I had my health
but now I have tremendous love

Most cannot fathom
what I feel most days
yet the revelation I've been given
is one I would never trade

"Live each day as though it's your last"
this is not just a cliche
It is the only way to life and love
No regrets, only memories made

If you do still wake up tomorrow
you may not have your health
I accept and love where  am right now
Although pain may fill my days
inside I am always in Bliss.