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Shades of Blue
I write from obsession, habit, and because I have a thorn in my foot, head and heart and it hurts and I can't walk or think or feel until I remove it.
~ Janet Frame
Laundry Day Thoughts - 01.29.2001
Blue Monday. The Blues. True blue. Blue grass. Blue velvet. Blue blood. Blue funk. Blue noses... no, RED nose! Ah, Blue Cross/Blue Shield... the Twin Blues!
After three days of a sinus infection, I decided that I'd need something else. Over-the-counter meds, lots of liquids and steam showers hadn't been enough. Today I'd find a doctor...
We have been so spoiled. The wonderful, loving care we received in Arlington couldn't be duplicated, but surely Austin would have medical care competent enough to treat my rosy honker.
My computer and the Internet now so handy downstairs, and armed with the Texas State Employees' Web address, I optimistically set about my search... a doctor on the Provider Directory and who would also accept Medicare, now my secondary. Piece of cake.
Three hours online, two 800 number calls to the Customer Services people, assistance from Seton Hospital's Physician Referral Hotline, to Medicare's Website for another Provider List to try to match a name, any name. Oh, well, I'll just start calling physician's offices. Recorded messages requested me to push 1 or 2 or 3 or whatever. Then a person. Did the physician accept my Texas State Employees' coverage? If yes, how about Medicare as secondary? There is where the problem lay! Medicare! Only two internists in this city accept both and it turns out that I couldn't be assured of seeing the same doctor each time, but that one of the residents may have to do... like Clinic days at Parkland. It seems there aren't many doctors here who accept Medicare! I wonder if it just that Austin is such a young city, or if it's because we are here in the other Capital... of the Republic of Texas!
I promised to hug Anita, the sweet voice who said there would be paperwork to fill out, so could I be there 9:15 in the morning. Blue skies... as blue as my granddaughter's eyes.
I love and miss you all,
Carol
