I loved yoga a few decades ago and was in a hot yoga class in Fort Lauderdale for a long time. FL hot yoga is a new level of hot, but it does seem to make the muscles happy. I've tried it a few times in the last couple years, but it is too frustrating with my bulk. I am still flexible, but body parts are in the way. They have a class at my gym that I'll try again in the fall.

I need to start exercising again. ltc is getting heavy, and I'm hurting at the end of the day.

Yesterday was a really good day. ltc took two naps, I was able to get dinner in the crock pot, and I got out of the house to grab some books at the library with outdoor clothes on and even lipstick. This, and maybe some energy to read at the end of the night, is really all I can ask for from my daily life.

This afternoon the in-laws are coming over to play with ltc and are staying for dinner. I'd like to figure out something to make which aren't the two or three things I make every time they're here, and when I got out to do errands while they stay with ltc those errands might have to include finding a quiet place to read a few chapters.

So for Small Victories Wednesdays I talked to insurance company without breaking into tears. I was abrupt and possibly rude. But United sucks.

I could really use 2 sessions a week with my therapist but that gets flagged if it's too "excessive". And "unlimited visits" means "1 visit per week for the year" unless they deem to be medically necessary but they prefer people who need more than 1 visit a week to go into Intensive Outpatient Programs.

But they don't say they will automatically deny any excessive visits my therapist has to contact a clinician. I was assured I could be there for the phone call and that it would take about 10 minutes. I asked how someone could make a determination based on a 10 minute phone call "oh well they will review your records" the ones where my therapist says it's necessary?

I don't get to talk to the clinician myself. And because they are paying for it they get to do that.

She actually did a exasperated sigh towards the end and I called her on it. But I was making her say the same things over and over again.

Blue Cross Blue Shield evidentally does not pull this bullshit and I wish I'd gone with them. I can switch next year.

And United doesn't even pay to cover the whole cost of my visit. Even with my copay.

Insurance sucks. But they are paying (kinda) so they get to make a determination of what they'll cover. Only they like to cloak it in "medically necessary" and "making sure your needs are met through all avenues and in your community." I told her I drive 45 minutes to see my therapist that I couldn't find somene taking patients in my community and there isn't any support groups that I know of in my county and if they knew anything about where I lived they would know that, but they don't.

Anyway I did curse, scream, cry, directly insult anyone, or throw the phone. So it's a win.

Ugh askye, no one should have to deal with that crap

All insurance companies suck. My BCBS allowed $2300 for my appendix being removed and now the hospital thinks I should pay another $27,000, and of course there are the bills from all the individuals too. All have to be fought. Apparently Saturday late night emergency appendix surgery is frivolous and cosmetic or something.

Oy yoy yoy, Laura. Surely hospitals know that ordinary humans don't have $27,000 to pay for the privileges of using their facilities. The healthcare system in the US is a classic sick system.

I was there less than 24 hours.

I feel like we are watching the radicalization of the right and it's taking place right in front of our eyes and we (meaning the country) are just ignoring it. It's not going to end well is all I'm saying.

I was there less than 24 hours.

Oh yeah, that's what I figured. That kind of piddly sum -- $27,000 -- isn't enough to cover the costs of a hospital bed for the whole night. When I had my last surgery, also outpatient, I noticed they billed the insurance for something over $30,000.

I don't even want to know what the bill was for my hospitalization last year. I had finanial assistance from the hospital so they covered all of it and I didn't have to see a thing.

That's insane and infuriating, Laura and askye. It's just so wrong, it makes me so mad I can't see straight.