Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-13 Thread Lori Michaelson
Hey Dave!

Like my original e-mail stated... I definitely fell into the category of
qualified Medicare recipients.  Especially since Medicare is *my only*insurance!
Your first e-mail telling us about the program is what prompted me to make
the phone call to inquire.  I wonder why the lady would tell me that it was
only being done in three states?  H if I think of it and have those
few extra minutes... I will call the number in Arizona as well as the lady I
spoke to.  Just to find out what stories I am being told.

I think it was John (yes it was) that commented on the caliber of visiting
physicians.  I would most definitely want the same physician as a major
priority!  Otherwise it is folly and you fall through the cracks.  Along
with everything else that John said.

I have had one experience with a visiting physician and it was during
the first six months aftert we moved here to Arizona.  I had a very bad
wound going on and was unable to get up on my own doctor's examination
table.  So somehow I found out about this visiting physician.

I remember him coming with a nurse and taking **a slight glance (and I mean
a very slight glance)  at the wound that was embedded so far up into the
crack.  He looked at it for about two seconds and not even up close!   The
only way he really helped me was by seeing that we needed help in the home
badly and there was a home health agency nurse that came out to admit me
quite quickly.  So he was the impetus for finding my first home health
agency here.  Up until that point... my husband and my step daughter were
getting me up and around before my husband left for work and my step
daughter left for school.

But as far as a visiting doctor... he was worthless.  It was not long after
that that I called back to see if they still did house calls but it was
discontinued.  I can't recall the story I was told but he was like one of
the only ones in town (of 700,000 people) and he moved or whatever.

Again, John summed it up very, very well.  And, again, I need a doctor that
knows me and I surely do not want to have to worry about who or what is
coming in my door.  Thank God I have a wonderful urologist because when the
home health agency nurse was not able to get my catheter in on August
13... my Uro was right there in the office to contact as to what to do.  It
was a very frightening experience because it was the first after 28 years!
She knew everything about me by my outpatient surgery with her as well as
many visits and what was going on with my body.  She met me in the emergency
room and got the catheter right in.  *Neither the ER doctor or the nurse I
was assigned to was any help whatsoever*.  In fact, if I was just left in
their care any longer I would have been in full-blown AD.

Thanks for the extra information however!  I will let you know what I find
out.


Lori Michaelson

C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post

Tucson, AZ


On Nov 12, 2007 1:23 PM, David K. Kelmer [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

 Hi Lori,

 I did say that it was a Study only being done in 5 States.  CA, TX, PA,
 AZ and FL.  You would call AZ for more info.  It is my understanding that
 letters were sent to only the number of qualified Medicare beneficiaries
 needed from each State at the start of the Study.  I hope this helps.  Stay
 strong.

 *Tempe, AZ*
 60 E. Rio Salado Parkway Ste 510
 Tempe, AZ 85281-9103
 Toll Free Phone: 800-829-8133
 Local Number: 480-383-7500
 Local Fax Number: 480-383-7479
 Toll Free Fax: 800-496-7028

 With Love,

 CtrlAltDel aka Dave
 C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
 Texas, USA


 *Lori Michaelson [EMAIL PROTECTED]* wrote:

 There are about 50 different reasons I could benefit from house calls from
 doctors (depending on the caliber and integrity of the doctor of course).
 So, out of curiosity I called the number on Tuesday.

 I spoke with a very nice lady (but one must keep in mind she is only a
 person at the other end of the phone for information purposes only) who
 first was interested as to why *I had not* received the letter by being a
 Medicare beneficiary.  As well as Medicare being my only insurance.  She
 thought that possibly because I may not have made a certain increased
 number of visits to the emergency room or to doctor's offices ... that that
 could have been the reason.  Pretty poor reason!

 Besides... my condition of being a quadriplegic is very much why I do not
 go to doctors offices or the emergency room that often.  I can't get up on
 the tables for examinations, have testing done for this that or the other
 thing because of troubles getting on and off the tables, etc. etc. etc..
 *In other words, quadriplegics would benefit greatest!*

 To top it off... she told me that they were only targeting three states
 (California, Texas and Florida).  Of course!  Choosing the most populous
 states!  Leaving the rest of us hanging out to dry on whether or not it will
 go any further.  In any case... she took my information and gave me her
 extension # in case they 

Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-12 Thread David K. Kelmer
Hi Lori,
   
  I did say that it was a Study only being done in 5 States.  CA, TX, PA, AZ 
and FL.  You would call AZ for more info.  It is my understanding that letters 
were sent to only the number of qualified Medicare beneficiaries needed from 
each State at the start of the Study.  I hope this helps.  Stay strong. 

Tempe, AZ
60 E. Rio Salado Parkway Ste 510
Tempe, AZ 85281-9103
Toll Free Phone: 800-829-8133
Local Number: 480-383-7500
Local Fax Number: 480-383-7479
Toll Free Fax: 800-496-7028

   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
  

Lori Michaelson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
There are about 50 different reasons I could benefit from house calls from 
doctors (depending on the caliber and integrity of the doctor of course).  So, 
out of curiosity I called the number on Tuesday.  
   
  I spoke with a very nice lady (but one must keep in mind she is only a person 
at the other end of the phone for information purposes only) who first was 
interested as to why I had not received the letter by being a Medicare 
beneficiary.  As well as Medicare being my only insurance.  She thought that 
possibly because I may not have made a certain increased number of visits to 
the emergency room or to doctor's offices ... that that could have been the 
reason.  Pretty poor reason!  
   
  Besides... my condition of being a quadriplegic is very much why I do not go 
to doctors offices or the emergency room that often.  I can't get up on the 
tables for examinations, have testing done for this that or the other thing 
because of troubles getting on and off the tables, etc. etc. etc..  In other 
words, quadriplegics would benefit greatest!
  
To top it off... she told me that they were only targeting three states 
(California, Texas and Florida).  Of course!  Choosing the most populous 
states!  Leaving the rest of us hanging out to dry on whether or not it will go 
any further.  In any case... she took my information and gave me her extension 
# in case they do expand their target states.  It's already more than half way 
through the program so I can't see them going any further and she can't either 
she said to be honest with me. 
   
  Lori Michaelson
C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post
  Tucson, AZ

   
  On Nov 10, 2007 8:25 AM, David K. Kelmer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi John,
   
  I thought everyone on Medicare would find this Web Site informative.  This 
Study is being done in 5 States right now.  I spoke with a Case Worker 
conducting the Study in Texas, and she told me they had 15,000 volunteers and 
were about halfway through the 3 year Study.  She told me that the results 
already in, looked ''very good'' so far.  Stay strong.  
   
  http://www.carelevel.com/aboutus.html
   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
  


John S. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I truely hate emergency runs. I try to keep some anti-biotics on hand when I 
feel a UTI getting ripe.Blood pressure pills for that. Check bowel and bladder 
(worst I ever felt was actually bad gas) it doesnt kill you but it can trigger 
AD till it does. It won 't let up either un till you do somedthing to relieve 
the gas. (Rolling into comical positions) Fun explaining that to a nurse. I 
figure I'm better off getting catheterized here instead of the hospital. If 
bladder is full do not let out more than 500 CC's every 15 minutes to prevent 
shock. Oxygen bottle can make your life easier, but don't get addicted!! lol, 
C'mon you know you love to laugh when they say that. I take oxy valium and 
vicodin. A little late for addiction worries. 
Ultimately, teres no guarding against all the things and combinations of things 
that can cause AD. 
I'm so happy to hear you are better, Naomi. You have my best wishes and 
prayers. 

john



- Original Message  
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2007 6:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] what's next?


I know exactly what you mean. I was in the hospital last night between 3:30 
a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. I had a real bad case of AD, which shots my blood pressure 
up skyhigh. My head was pounding like someone was hit me with a hammer. While 
at the hospital, they determined I had a severe UTI. They changed my catheter 
and Foley bag, gave me an IV, with some morphine. And the sons of load to 
determine whether the infection had got into my blood and kidneys. I was 
blessed back it did not. They gave me an antibiotic and a prescription for 
something for nausea. 

As bad as I felt, and as bad as I thought my situation was, I was reminded of 
how blessed I really am. The ambulance brought in a 20 year old who had 
overdosed on drugs. He was dead on arrival. His family and friends were very 
distraught. 

Sometimes life gets hard, but I know the Lord didn't bring it this far to leave 
me.


Naomi






See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.


Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-12 Thread David K. Kelmer
http://www.carelevel.com/documents/nyt5-16-2007.pdf

David K. Kelmer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Hi Lori,
   
  I did say that it was a Study only being done in 5 States.  CA, TX, PA, AZ 
and FL.  You would call AZ for more info.  It is my understanding that letters 
were sent to only the number of qualified Medicare beneficiaries needed from 
each State at the start of the Study.  I hope this helps.  Stay strong. 

Tempe, AZ
60 E. Rio Salado Parkway Ste 510
Tempe, AZ 85281-9103
Toll Free Phone: 800-829-8133
Local Number: 480-383-7500
Local Fax Number: 480-383-7479
Toll Free Fax: 800-496-7028

   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
  

Lori Michaelson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
There are about 50 different reasons I could benefit from house calls from 
doctors (depending on the caliber and integrity of the doctor of course).  So, 
out of curiosity I called the number on Tuesday.  
   
  I spoke with a very nice lady (but one must keep in mind she is only a person 
at the other end of the phone for information purposes only) who first was 
interested as to why I had not received the letter by being a Medicare 
beneficiary.  As well as Medicare being my only insurance.  She thought that 
possibly because I may not have made a certain increased number of visits to 
the emergency room or to doctor's offices ... that that could have been the 
reason.  Pretty poor reason!  
   
  Besides... my condition of being a quadriplegic is very much why I do not go 
to doctors offices or the emergency room that often.  I can't get up on the 
tables for examinations, have testing done for this that or the other thing 
because of troubles getting on and off the tables, etc. etc. etc..  In other 
words, quadriplegics would benefit greatest!
  
To top it off... she told me that they were only targeting three states 
(California, Texas and Florida).  Of course!  Choosing the most populous 
states!  Leaving the rest of us hanging out to dry on whether or not it will go 
any further.  In any case... she took my information and gave me her extension 
# in case they do expand their target states.  It's already more than half way 
through the program so I can't see them going any further and she can't either 
she said to be honest with me. 
   
  Lori Michaelson
C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post
  Tucson, AZ

   
  On Nov 10, 2007 8:25 AM, David K. Kelmer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi John,
   
  I thought everyone on Medicare would find this Web Site informative.  This 
Study is being done in 5 States right now.  I spoke with a Case Worker 
conducting the Study in Texas, and she told me they had 15,000 volunteers and 
were about halfway through the 3 year Study.  She told me that the results 
already in, looked ''very good'' so far.  Stay strong.  
   
  http://www.carelevel.com/aboutus.html
   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
  


John S. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I truely hate emergency runs. I try to keep some anti-biotics on hand when I 
feel a UTI getting ripe.Blood pressure pills for that. Check bowel and bladder 
(worst I ever felt was actually bad gas) it doesnt kill you but it can trigger 
AD till it does. It won 't let up either un till you do somedthing to relieve 
the gas. (Rolling into comical positions) Fun explaining that to a nurse. I 
figure I'm better off getting catheterized here instead of the hospital. If 
bladder is full do not let out more than 500 CC's every 15 minutes to prevent 
shock. Oxygen bottle can make your life easier, but don't get addicted!! lol, 
C'mon you know you love to laugh when they say that. I take oxy valium and 
vicodin. A little late for addiction worries. 
Ultimately, teres no guarding against all the things and combinations of things 
that can cause AD. 
I'm so happy to hear you are better, Naomi. You have my best wishes and 
prayers. 

john



- Original Message  
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2007 6:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] what's next?


I know exactly what you mean. I was in the hospital last night between 3:30 
a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. I had a real bad case of AD, which shots my blood pressure 
up skyhigh. My head was pounding like someone was hit me with a hammer. While 
at the hospital, they determined I had a severe UTI. They changed my catheter 
and Foley bag, gave me an IV, with some morphine. And the sons of load to 
determine whether the infection had got into my blood and kidneys. I was 
blessed back it did not. They gave me an antibiotic and a prescription for 
something for nausea. 

As bad as I felt, and as bad as I thought my situation was, I was reminded of 
how blessed I really am. The ambulance brought in a 20 year old who had 
overdosed on drugs. He was dead on arrival. His family and friends were very 
distraught. 

Sometimes life gets hard, but I know the Lord didn't bring it this 

Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-12 Thread John S.
In Ohio we have visiting physicians. It is covered by medicare/medicaid. It is 
very hard to see the same doctor more than one time. I think it goes back to 
the old joke, what do you call a doctor that finishes last in medical 
school?
Doctor! 
They sure aren't the pro's from Dover. I terminated the service just to be 
allowed to find a doctor that didn't think I was too hard on to treat. I'd 
rather see a competent doctor that I have to struggle to see than an 
incompetent doctor that comes to the door. I haven't gone to a hospital except 
for tests on my heart, since I started seeing this guy. The visiting doctors 
had me in the hospital for breaking wind because they didn't like to read which 
is why they are visiting doctors. I hope your system in your state works better 
but in Ohio, the more patients that die on a doctor are referred to as 
experience in that area. 
Talk to some doctors and nurses. See what they think of traveling doctors? The 
best doctors I know only drive to different offices and Universities. 
Do you think you'd feel comfortable with a doctor that graduated from a 
technical college. 
I hate having to explain AD to a doctor that just caused it and has no clue 
about treating siezures. 
Oh yeah, after they send you to the hospital, you're on your own. 

Good Luck on your decision,
john


- Original Message 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 8:00:24 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management


So can you try another doctor?  How many doctors are available? it would be 
great if they had some rehab experience.
Dana







See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

__
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http://mail.yahoo.com 

Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread David K. Kelmer
Hi John,
   
  I thought everyone on Medicare would find this Web Site informative.  This 
Study is being done in 5 States right now.  I spoke with a Case Worker 
conducting the Study in Texas, and she told me they had 15,000 volunteers and 
were about halfway through the 3 year Study.  She told me that the results 
already in, looked ''very good'' so far.  Stay strong.  
   
  http://www.carelevel.com/aboutus.html
   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
   
  

John S. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I truely hate emergency runs. I try to keep some anti-biotics on hand when I 
feel a UTI getting ripe.Blood pressure pills for that. Check bowel and bladder 
(worst I ever felt was actually bad gas) it doesnt kill you but it can trigger 
AD till it does. It won 't let up either un till you do somedthing to relieve 
the gas. (Rolling into comical positions) Fun explaining that to a nurse. I 
figure I'm better off getting catheterized here instead of the hospital. If 
bladder is full do not let out more than 500 CC's every 15 minutes to prevent 
shock. Oxygen bottle can make your life easier, but don't get addicted!! lol, 
C'mon you know you love to laugh when they say that. I take oxy valium and 
vicodin. A little late for addiction worries. 
Ultimately, teres no guarding against all the things and combinations of things 
that can cause AD. 
I'm so happy to hear you are better, Naomi. You have my best wishes and 
prayers. 

john



- Original Message 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2007 6:26:15 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] what's next?


I know exactly what you mean. I was in the hospital last night between 3:30 
a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. I had a real bad case of AD, which shots my blood pressure 
up skyhigh. My head was pounding like someone was hit me with a hammer. While 
at the hospital, they determined I had a severe UTI. They changed my catheter 
and Foley bag, gave me an IV, with some morphine. And the sons of load to 
determine whether the infection had got into my blood and kidneys. I was 
blessed back it did not. They gave me an antibiotic and a prescription for 
something for nausea.

As bad as I felt, and as bad as I thought my situation was, I was reminded of 
how blessed I really am. The ambulance brought in a 20 year old who had 
overdosed on drugs. He was dead on arrival. His family and friends were very 
distraught.

Sometimes life gets hard, but I know the Lord didn't bring it this far to leave 
me.


Naomi






See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread KK
I have met one of the docs that make house calls here at my apartment.  Did not 
feel
comfortable with him at all.  Don't think we were on the same page.  I will do
anything to stay in my home.  Not so sure he was there.


KK

Remember: life is like a roll of toilet paper. 
The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes...



Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread David K. Kelmer
This is more than a doctor making a house call, this will designed around the 
patients needs, from top to bottom.  I'm looking forward to getting more info 
on it.
   
  With Love,
 
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
  Texas, USA 
   
  

KK [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I have met one of the docs that make house calls here at my apartment. Did 
not feel
comfortable with him at all. Don't think we were on the same page. I will do
anything to stay in my home. Not so sure he was there.


KK

Remember: life is like a roll of toilet paper. 
The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes...



Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread Lori Michaelson
There are about 50 different reasons I could benefit from house calls from
doctors (depending on the caliber and integrity of the doctor of course).
So, out of curiosity I called the number on Tuesday.

I spoke with a very nice lady (but one must keep in mind she is only a
person at the other end of the phone for information purposes only) who
first was interested as to why *I had not* received the letter by being a
Medicare beneficiary.  As well as Medicare being my only insurance.  She
thought that possibly because I may not have made a certain increased
number of visits to the emergency room or to doctor's offices ... that that
could have been the reason.  Pretty poor reason!

Besides... my condition of being a quadriplegic is very much why I do not go
to doctors offices or the emergency room that often.  I can't get up on the
tables for examinations, have testing done for this that or the other thing
because of troubles getting on and off the tables, etc. etc. etc..  *In
other words, quadriplegics would benefit greatest!*

To top it off... she told me that they were only targeting three states
(California, Texas and Florida).  Of course!  Choosing the most populous
states!  Leaving the rest of us hanging out to dry on whether or not it will
go any further.  In any case... she took my information and gave me her
extension # in case they do expand their target states.  It's already more
than half way through the program so I can't see them going any further and
she can't either she said to be honest with me.

Lori Michaelson

C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post

Tucson, AZ

On Nov 10, 2007 8:25 AM, David K. Kelmer [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

 Hi John,

 I thought everyone on Medicare would find this Web Site informative.  This
 Study is being done in 5 States right now.  I spoke with a Case Worker
 conducting the Study in Texas, and she told me they had 15,000 volunteers
 and were about halfway through the 3 year Study.  She told me that the
 results already in, looked ''very good'' so far.  Stay strong.

 http://www.carelevel.com/aboutus.html

 With Love,

 CtrlAltDel aka Dave
 C4/5 Complete - 31 Years Post
 Texas, USA


 *John S. [EMAIL PROTECTED]* wrote:

 I truely hate emergency runs. I try to keep some anti-biotics on hand when
 I feel a UTI getting ripe.Blood pressure pills for that. Check bowel and
 bladder (worst I ever felt was actually bad gas) it doesnt kill you but it
 can trigger AD till it does. It won 't let up either un till you do
 somedthing to relieve the gas. (Rolling into comical positions) Fun
 explaining that to a nurse. I figure I'm better off getting catheterized
 here instead of the hospital. If bladder is full do not let out more than
 500 CC's every 15 minutes to prevent shock. Oxygen bottle can make your life
 easier, but don't get addicted!! lol, C'mon you know you love to laugh when
 they say that. I take oxy valium and vicodin. A little late for addiction
 worries.
 Ultimately, teres no guarding against all the things and combinations of
 things that can cause AD.
 I'm so happy to hear you are better, Naomi. You have my best wishes and
 prayers.

 john



 - Original Message 
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
 Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2007 6:26:15 PM
 Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] what's next?


 I know exactly what you mean. I was in the hospital last night between
 3:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. I had a real bad case of AD, which shots my
 blood pressure up skyhigh. My head was pounding like someone was hit me with
 a hammer. While at the hospital, they determined I had a severe UTI. They
 changed my catheter and Foley bag, gave me an IV, with some morphine. And
 the sons of load to determine whether the infection had got into my blood
 and kidneys. I was blessed back it did not. They gave me an antibiotic and a
 prescription for something for nausea.

 As bad as I felt, and as bad as I thought my situation was, I was reminded
 of how blessed I really am. The ambulance brought in a 20 year old who had
 overdosed on drugs. He was dead on arrival. His family and friends were very
 distraught.

 Sometimes life gets hard, but I know the Lord didn't bring it this far to
 leave me.


 Naomi






 See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

 __
 Do You Yahoo!?
 Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
 http://mail.yahoo.com





-- 
Lori
C4/5 complete quad, 27 years post
Tucson, AZ


Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread DAANOO
I have always wondered about that, thank you so much for your  investigation. 
 I just don't understand why we would not be considered one  of the most in 
need of home visits.
 
Dana



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Re: [QUAD-L] what's next? / Medicare Care Level Management

2007-11-10 Thread DAANOO
So can you try another doctor?  How many doctors are available? it  would be 
great if they had some rehab  experience.
Dana




** See what's new at http://www.aol.com