Insurance Insanity

Many of you have read our health insurance saga. (Tammie: This is not a rant.) Here is the latest installment of that always funny (like a toothache) story.

Just before leaving Minnesota in June, we received notice from the clinic the kids go to that they would be joining a larger network of affiliated offices. This didn't scare me, because our former association with Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Thanks Jodi, we really owe you a million for this recommendation!) meant that when I was in trouble in my pregnancy with Annabella we were sent to Stanford / LPCH. So, OK, great, larger network. Good. Our pediatrician there, who specializes in post-NICU preemies? PRICELESS.

Just before leaving California, we received news from our insurance company (the one that covers Andrew, Annabella and Redding). They have decided not to include the clinic we take the children to in their coverage anymore.

Apparently, joining that network means charging more money. And our insurance company doesn't want to pay more money.

Now that we're home we have a nice letter from the clinic explaining that they will still see us, that they are still negotiating with the insurance company. That they home to have things cleared up by the end of August.

This morning I made an appointment for both the kids to be seen (15 month & 5 year/ school appointments). We're getting in under the deadline. Oh, and this has most assuredly lit the fire I needed to get at least the rest of my family switched to a different health insurance.

Crazy.