You know when you are out and about and you come across those people sitting in front of a business with their lawn chair and a big sign that says something like “UNFAIR EMPLOYER, DON’T WORK HERE! THESE GUYS ARE CROOKS!”
The guy (I’ve never seen a woman) looks as if he really hasn’t left that spot in days and could use a shower and shave and possibly some Prozac.

Well, I’ve always just shook my head and thought. Poor guy, no one inside that building cares what he’s upset about and they for sure aren’t going to making any changes to their SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) manual for him. After all, he’s just one man. He’s not really that significant, right?

I don’t want to feel that cynical about businesses or organizations (even “not-for-profit” ones).  After what I learned yesterday though, I really do feel that way.

My dad is sick.  He has been to an Oncologist (cancer doctor) and she has recommended that he get a biopsy done on one of his lymph nodes to see exactly what they are dealing with.  If she doesn’t know what she’s dealing with or why he has swollen lymph nodes all throughout his body then she doesn’t know how to treat him, right?

Yeah, well. Apparently, his insurance company will not pay for him to have the biopsy. And by not pay I don’t mean they will only cover a certain percentage and leave him to pay a giant percentage. I mean they said “sorry you’ve already had 2 outpatient procedures this year so you don’t get no more”. They use poor English because they are retarded. He has had cataract surgery this year on both eyes. That was his 2 outpatient procedures.  So now, because he chose to have those procedures they say they will not pay for him to have a biopsy. 

They have also refused to let his boss buy more coverage and upgrade their plan (which would allow him to have the biopsy) because they say he has a “pre-existing” condition. What’s the pre-existing condition? Who knows. He hasn’t been able to have a biopsy to find out what condition he’s in. The blood work and the swollen lymph nodes and the fluid around his heart, etc. was cause enough for the Oncologist to say “it’s most likely a form of lymphoma”. But she doesn’t know. Because there has been no biopsy.

In light of all of this, I look at the crazy, bearded man in the lawn chair differently.  In fact, next time I will be asking him “where’d ya get that banner?” And what will mine say as I set my lawn chair up in front of their high rise?

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF TENNESSEE “COVER TENN” INSURANCE LIKES TO KILL THEIR CLIENTS

I’ll have to work on the beard though. That could be a little more difficult.