For More Of My Blogs: Please Check out The Huffington Post

Hi All!
   If you've stumbled upon this blog for the first time, or if you've been reading for awhile,

I wanted to let you know I've begun blogging for the Huffington Post.

You can check out my HuffPo  pieces at the below website:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-havel/ 


Thanks for reading!

Stupid Cancer Young Adult Summit OMG 2013

 Since last year's summit, all I could think about was going to Paris Casino and buying one of those Eiffel Tower strawberry daiquiris. The reason why, is because last year I was in no position to buy one of those daiquiris. It was my first year going to a conference that would connect me with other young adult cancer survivors, actually discuss my feelings as a young adult cancer survivor, and find resources I didn't know existed to help me as a young adult cancer survivor.

Last year's summit was amazing, but all encompassing for me. I had never been to Las Vegas, so I tried to cram way too many things into the weekend.

This year, I wasn't going to let that happen. I purposefully didn't schedule tickets for theatre productions or attractions. I didn't even focus on finding the "best buffet on the strip." I went all in for this summit. I decided to be fully present. That was the best decision I could have possibly made.

This year, I went to break out sessions I didn't think I wanted to go to last year. I went to cancer as chronic, survivors guilt, and the just for girls session. You see last year, I was in the middle of writing my book and completely focused on health care legislation and insurance issues regarding my journey. I published the book last year, so this year I was free to focus on my emotions surrounding my journey.
And boy did those emotions pop out of nowhere. I actually cried for the first time in a long time. I even caught myself with wobbly voice when I spoke to others.

This year was cathartic for me-- but it was also incredibly fun. If you're even remotely considering going to this conference next year-- Do It! You'll meet great people, you'll reconnect with yourself, and you'll learn so much that you didn't even realize you might have wanted to know.

Stalling Tactics To Avoid Appeal

Hi everyone!
     I hope you all are enjoying your holiday season. I know I have been doing my best to focus on family and friend gatherings and celebrations rather than typical daily life. However, I'm realizing that I can not simply stop working on important outstanding items so I'm rejoining the world today.

 It has been awhile since I've updated you about my insurance situation. When last I wrote, I spoke about ERISA and how the law is interpreted to give the client only 60 days to appeal a cancelation of benefits from long term disability companies. I also discussed how I sent in my appeal along with a second certified/signature required letter request for my entire case file to be sent to me within the month.

Yesterday marked day 20 of the insurance company signing for said letter and I have heard nothing. I decided to give them a call to check up on the progress of my request only to find out that although they had the letter in their system, and indeed signed for it 20 days ago, they did not have it marked as requiring any follow up. Therefore, for the last 20 days, the company has simply not been working on the request. According to the worker I spoke with (the one who signed the cancelation of benefits letter-- and sounded shocked to hear from me, but then smugly asked how my holiday was) they will send me all of the documentation I requested within 7-10 business days.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Just a reminder of why we need to follow up with companies even if we've gone to all the trouble to send certified letters requiring signatures.

This is not the first certified/signature required letter this company has actively avoided responding to, claiming it was mismarked in their computer system. Therefore, I'm 100% certain it's a common stalling tactic that they hope will cause the appeal to be sent in late, and allow the cancelation of benefits to stand uncontested.

I'm glad I sent the appeal in despite not having all of the information I requested, because at least the process has begun and I'm not panicking over when this box of documentation will arrive and if it will be complete. Let's say I receive the box of information at the 45 day mark-- what if it's not all there? How long would it take me or an attorney to accurately go through it?  Probably more than the week I would have left before I would need to send the appeal letter in and make sure it arrived before day 60.

At least this way, should this case go to court it is not an "easily dismissed on a technicality" situation now.

1974 ERISA Law

I've been thinking a lot about the 1974 ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Securities Act) law since I received my denial letter from the insurance company last week. (Which by the way,  yesterday I received the returned signature cards showing they received the certified letters for both the appeal and documents request).

The reason I've been thinking about ERISA is because it was noted in my denial letter and according to my research this law has been exploited by many insurance companies in order to no longer honor their obligations to policy holders. 

I found two articles/briefs that got me thinking about my own experience. Both are worth a read if you have some time. Specifically the second one that discusses exactly how this law is used against patients in insurance cases.

http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php?p=443 

and

http://www.patientadvocate.org/pdf/ERISA.pdf

One thing I found surprising is in my own denial letter. The insurance company informed me I had 180 days to appeal the denial. However, with ERISA I really only have 60 days or a judge could throw out any future lawsuit regarding the case. 

I have a solid connection to a law firm willing to represent me, but I wanted to fully explore my options so I contacted a local firm that specializes in ERISA law. When I queried them I received a response back that this specific firm only represents the insurance companies with their knowledge of ERISA, not the patients. Of course large companies with large legal budgets are where the real money is, so from a financial perspective I understand that law firm's decision. I'm saddened though that this firm would use its knowledge to support companies known to abuse this law. 

The loopholes this law offers, I'm sure were unforeseen in 1974. However, over the years companies have discovered new exploitation methods using older laws. It's sad... and we're clearly at a point when these laws need to be changed. 

When I spoke to the insurance person who sent me the denial letter (before the denial was ever sent). He informed me this was "nothing personal"-- it was simply business. 

I would argue, "business" set up on loopholes and a year end bonus structure that encourages vilifying an honest policy holder, is very personal. Making up false claims about another human being in order to receive a year end bonus for saving the company money, is very personal. Trying to use intimidation tactics to harass a client because you know that client is not allowed a jury trial under ERISA, and you will never have to answer for that harassment, is very personal.

I am not a moral authority. I'm just an average human being whose integrity is being attacked by a company for the sake of money. And I'm wondering when the collective "we", as employees, stopped listening to our conscience and instead put all our trust in company policies meant to harm clients. 

I encourage anyone reading this to fully educate yourself on ERISA so you will have some basic knowledge should it ever be used as a tool against you. 

Health Care and Religious Freedom

Can we stop all the shrouded discussion on this topic and call it what it is? The reason religious freedom is being brought up with regards to the new health care law is because of the issues of women's fertility and money. With that I mean contraception, abortion, and the cost to care for the sick.

This is article I read this morning: http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/26/15456408-supreme-court-opens-door-to-universitys-health-care-challenge?lite

In the article Liberty University is contesting the individual mandate for health insurance due to their belief that because most health care policies allow for abortion and contraception Liberty University's religious freedom is being trampled on (fertility). They are also contesting the section of the bill that states employers must provide health insurance or pay a penalty (money).

You might be wondering why this is coming up again since the individual mandate issue was already discussed and decided on earlier this year by the Supreme Court. The answer is there will always be someone, or a group of someones, who look for ways around decisions. I'm not saying this from a liberal or conservative perspective, I'm saying it from a historical perspective. Our country was built on disagreements and loopholes (example- all men are created equal, but slavery is fine).

The Supreme Court's decision about the individual mandate, earlier this year, was in relation to state's rights.  Liberty University is a private institution and often times private institutions do not have to adhere to certain state or federal laws. Loophole.

I suppose what bothers me about what Liberty University is doing here really comes down to the issue of money being wrapped up in a religious cause. When I think about spiritual principles in health care, I think about caring for the sick, and the poor. I don't think about legal battles to deny coverage for the sick and the poor using convenient loopholes in man made policies.

I feel like there is a disconnect between what the law is intending to do and some religious reaction to it.

Here's an example of what that disconnect can do (note: this happened outside of the United States).

 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/23/ireland-abortion-idUSL5E8MN7YM20121123

A woman visiting Ireland died of blood poising after being denied an abortion when she was already miscarrying. There was no saving the fetus at the point when the woman asked for the termination. However, because of Ireland's anti-abortion law, she was denied the medical assistance necessary. The miscarriage lasted for three days, which presumably caused her body to become septic and she passed away. Abortion in this case would have been used not for the ending of a life, but the saving of life. Which is why I become frustrated when some believe abortion is a cut and dried issue.

We need to reconnect to the human side of health care. If we boycott coverage for medical procedures and people on the premise of religious freedom and an otherwise healthy individual dies because of that boycott--- who is at fault?

I would argue unexamined principles. When we fight so hard against something often times we become blind to the full picture. We focus so intently on the rabbit, that we miss the lion about to pounce.

Thanksgiving for Non-Profit Groups!

Thanksgiving is this week and I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the advocacy groups out there dedicated to helping those struggling with health care.

Groups like

The Patient Advocate Foundation:  http://www.patientadvocate.org/about.php?p=901 
that has an online web-chat to answer specific questions a patient may have regarding insurance access, job retention, and medical debt.

P.S.I/ Patient Services Incorporated: https://www.patientservicesinc.org/how-we-help/default.aspx
that offers co-pay assistance to some patients on extremely expensive medications.

Sy's Fund: http://sysfund.org/
that encourages young adults battling cancer to also pursue their artistic/ life goals outside of their health  battle.



There are so many wonderful organizations out there that I would be remiss to try and name them all. However, I am happy to update this post with additional references if you simply comment below with the name of the organization and what it focuses on.



Blessings to you and yours during this holiday season!

National CML Society Interview 2012

While I was at the OMG! 2012 Stupid Cancer summit I was interviewed by Greg Stephens at the National CML Society.

I figured I would share the posted interview on their web page and also direct anyone with CML to their site for further information.

http://www.nationalcmlsociety.org/omg2012

OMG! 2012 Stupid Cancer Young Adult Cancer Summit

I just returned from the OMG! 2012 Young Adult Cancer Summit put together by a group called Stupid Cancer (http://stupidcancer.com/). What an amazing experience! There were 550 registered young adults in all stages of cancer, as well as their caregivers there to listen to and discuss their daily reality.

Did you know 72,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year? That number is staggering! Especially because it is seven times higher than all pediatric cancer diagnoses combined!

This summit was a way for young adults in all stages of cancer, as well as their care givers, to come together and learn about many topics as well as connect with eachother. Some of the topics discussed were self image, navigating careers, spirituality, self expression in a digital world, and the environment. The main message hit home for me was when the doctor says "you're cured, go home" that's not the end of the story. There are so many issues that don't go away just because someone might be in remission. I think many people forget this. The emotional scars last and so do the issues surrounding health insurance and self image (to name a couple).

One of my favorite connections of the weekend was with Johnny Imerman. Johnny is a young adult cancer survivor who started a group called Imerman Angels that matches people who are going through an illness with someone who has already gone through that very illness. Something they also do (which I found brilliant) is match family members and friends of people who are going through an illness to other family members and friends who have been through the journey. (http://www.imermanangels.org/)

I can't tell you how many people have come to me asking questions about all types of cancer and what they can do to help their family members going through treatment. I can give some basic suggestions, but when someone signs up with Imerman Angels they will be able to talk to a person with more specific suggestions. That's invaluable!

I honestly can not say enough about this conference. It is a fantastic and needed forum for young adults with cancer and their caregivers.

What about other illnesses? Other illnesses need support to.

I whole heartedly agree!

Check out http://www.nextstepnet.org/our-programs

This group works with young people with other life threatening illnesses such as HIV, and sickle cell disease.

Feel free to contact me if you need help researching support networks :)