I'm a new patient, again.

Options
AnnetteS
AnnetteS Member Posts: 180
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I'm confused.  My insurance only gives me 11 LE appointments at a time.  I did 11 and had to get reauthorized.  When I got a new 11 appointments, they said I was a new patient.  The therapist had NO record that I had ever been there or what treatments I had or what my measurements are.  That was six months ago.  I have had no progress at any of these sessions.  Now I am going to try again with a different therapist at the same location.  I am a NEW patient again. 

It seems to me that since this is a CHRONIC condition, they would keep my records.  I understand that I need to be re-evaluated, but wouldn't it be nice if they could see where I was 6 months ago?  Then they could see if I am gettng better or worse or staying the same...

 Does anyone else have to start from scratch every time?  I think I am going to go to the hospital and demand my records so that I can hand carry them in each time I go.  

By the way, they have 4 LE therapists.  Only two are LANA certified and I didn't see them last round.  This time I am insisting on one of those two, even if I have to wait a month.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2012

    Annette, yes, it is a chronic condition and PT's--whose national organization--the APTA--argues that ANY PT can treat LE, have a model of treat and discharge, and that doesn't work for a chronic disease.

    Linda Boyle, a great PT wrote something called the 50,000 mile check up, and gave me permission to post it. I'll try and find it and bump it.

    Kira

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 211
    edited May 2012

    Funny, I just posted in the thread Kira bumped up. I can't figure out how to cut and paste on the iPad, so I'll repeat myself. My insurance requires an evaluation, a treatment plan with records of improvement moving toward self care. So when I have a flare it is a "new incidence" according to insurance, but my therapist keeps my records or pulls them from the archives. She also keeps in e-mail contact with me in between sets of therapies. I've also managed to get a check in appt. by being evaluated but not "treated". My hospital only has 1 therapist who "does" LE (occupational). She's great and willing to let me try out modifications that might work for me while keeping me on the straight and narrow when I want to pretend LE doesn't exist. I would get a copy of your measurements and records each time so you have your own set. That way if you end up changing therapists, they can see beginning and ending measurements and the treatment plan. I have to wait and/or take inconvenient appointments sometimes, but it's worth it to me to have someone I like and trust.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2012

    Thanks for the info and bumping the other thread.  This gives me some new understanding of what is going on.  I will definately be getting copies of my records and taking them with me each time. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories