Posted by David Chalfant (208.30.14.72) on July 09, 1999 at 23:43:15:
In Reply to: Another tactic re: Ins Co's & oxygen posted by gary g on July 09, 1999 at 14:41:22:
Well said. I am a recovering alcoholic and went to a treatment center. My insurance policy covered $30,000 worth of detox, counciling group therapy, etc. When I reached the maximum of coverage, guess what ? I was cured ! Well, actually the said I was ready to be released.
Out of curiosity, I asked for an itemized bill
Ten tylenol: $150. heating pad: $ 700 (I had a sore neck and the head nurse gave me the pad. I used it one night. and kept in my room not Knowing I was being charged $30 a day!
When Alcoholism was recognized as a disease by the AMA (I think) and insurance policies began to cover treatment for alkies and addicts, treatment centers began popping up all over the USA. The quality of treatment was poor in many. Some were established for the sole purpose of milking insurance company's for money ( greed and totally immoral). Well, i guess I have gotten off the subject; I have a lingering resentment concerning this issue and the truth of it all is that the failure rate was fairly high; many centers were shut down; companies are beginning to cease covering A and D. The key to sobriety is when alcohol stopped working for me. I drank two quarts of vodka a day for 7 years. An alcoholic stops drinking when they are sick of the life their living.
Back on the REAL issue know; I think CHers and sites like ours will attract others. We do need OUCH and other group and probably a mass unification of groups to become recognized as people with a proven disease/disorder. I think we are beginning to gain momentum
Let us all keep up the faith. Know I shall get off my soap box and surf the site
Peace love and relief, DC