Get Out of Jail Free Card

I've decided that when you are handed major life events, you should also be granted a few "get out of jail free cards." You know just like in the Monopoly game where you can use the card to be "forgiven" and allowed to continue playing - not lose a turn. I've always liked the concept... it's sort of saying I'm going to take a pass on this one because I've got bigger fish to fry. I'm not sure how many a person should be granted, but at least a couple. I know you can't opt out of the big stuff in life, but the annoying, form filling, insurance challenges, bureaucratic stuff - we should all get to pass on some of this.

Last week, I took our disability van in to be smog checked. This is the first time since we purchased it a little over two years ago, that it required a smog certification. I went when the place first opened to miss the lines and get out quickly. However, I wound up waiting and waiting for word on my van. As you've probably guessed... it didn't pass smog. Apparently, the smog center was not familiar with the way in which the van modifications were made and some of the "smog device" items were moved. Although there was no emissions problems, he wasn't sure if the modifications were acceptable with the ARB (Air Resources Board). He tried calling the "Smog People" but was unable to get someone official to help him with his concerns. So, he returned it to me, said he couldn't approve it and told me to contact the DMV and get a referee to review my case. I'm now scheduled to meet with a "referee" in August to determine if the modifications are acceptable. We bought the van used about two years ago, it has been smogged at least two other times with the modifications, but on to a referee we go. This is where I started thinking about how nice it would be to just pull out a "get out of jail free card" from my back pocket and hand it to the smog guy - "hey, I'm going to pass this one."

Recently, J.T., a friend and ALS patient, posted on Facebook his complete exhaustion with filling out forms to prove he was disabled. I felt his pain, but what his FB post really did was remind me that I had a five page form to complete for the insurance disability folks. It took me the better part of an afternoon to complete the form. Here are a few of the questions they asked:

• Describe any change in your condition since you stopped working.
• List all medications, dosages and what your understanding of what they are taken for.
• Describe your activities during a typical day, emphasizing the extent of which there is any activity requiring physical or mental exertion or contact with others.

My personal favorite...

• How does your condition keep you from working right now? - be specific

Yeah, it's hard not to be a "smart ass" when answering these questions, but we need his disability to continue so we comply. On a side note, there are really decent folks in this world. Last year, when I completed this form, apparently they didn't receive it, even though I had faxed it. A very nice guy, Adam called and asked if we had received the form and if he could help to get it completed. I told him the fax must not of worked and I'd resend. He said fine and if they don't get it he would call back in a couple weeks. Honestly, I've never had an insurance company contact me to see if they "could help get a form completed," a bit above and beyond what is expected.

I think some of the hoops we jump through are just a bit ridiculous so that's where I think the card could be useful.  Recently, Patrick received a new piece of equipment, a cough assist. About two weeks after getting the equipment I got a call from the medical equipment company that they needed to take it back and give us a new one. Not because there was anything wrong with it, but because they didn't submit the appropriate paperwork to Medicare so they needed to deliver a new one. I asked them how long it would take to get the equipment replaced and if there was anything different about it I should know. The lady sort of skirted these questions, except to say we would get the new equipment immediately, after I asked a couple more times she finally confessed that the therapist would just pick it up and bring it right back... In other words take it out to his car and walk it back to my front door.  Nope, you can't make this stuff up.

I've been pondering this card quite a bit - who would be in charge of its distribution, guidelines, process, how many should you get and for what reasons, etc. and finally I decided we'd all have to fill out paperwork to actually gain access to the cards. That's when I realized, I'm just creating another bureaucracy so my fantasy world was shattered.  I guess I'll just have to manage without them.

Hope you are enjoying the summer! This week is absolutely beautiful. Here is a picture of Patrick and Caitlin reading on the porch...