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Taking Charge of my Health Care


It has been a long journey these past two years. Throughout the experiences of many doctor visits, lab tests, ultrasounds, and a surgical procedure, I have been very grateful for health insurance. I cannot complain about being in the Army and the ability to just go to the hospital and get lab work done without paying anything for it. But there came a point when we exhausted our resources here in Fairbanks, and had to chose between putting our family on hold or paying out-of-pocket to see a fertility specialist in town (there is no Army fertility specialist in Alaska). 

At first, my Army gynecologist said I would be able to get the initial consultation with the specialist paid for by our health coverage. But after the referral was denied, she said that because fertility is an elective procedure, nothing would be covered. 

This is why we have savings, no? After a few weeks of praying and thinking about it with Marshall, we decided it was time to go forward and make the appointment with the civilian doctor, no matter what the cost would be. I was getting the tiniest bit frustrated because I felt like even though I had been praying to know if this was the right thing to do, I hadn't received a strong answer either way. That is, until after I made the appointment. It was only a few hours after I made the appointment that I received a very strong confirming feeling that we had made the right decision. I suppose it is true that faith comes before the blessing.

Our first appointment was on Monday. It has been so nice to have Marshall by my side and supportive the entire time. He told me that because we are paying for it, he would be at every single appointment with me, at least the ones he is in town for. It was a lot easier to get our point across to the doctor with Marshall there. He's just better with words! 

We left the appointment feeling good, like we were on the same page as the doctor--a definite plus, especially after working with Army doctors for so long! It was kind of nice to pay for the appointment with cash, and we even got a 10% discount for doing so. How good it felt to be taking charge of my own health care!

      I don't know what the future is going to bring, but I am confident that the "future is as bright as my faith." 

Comments

  1. Jenessa, you are an amazing, string woman. I look up to you all the time! I wish you the best of luck during this "adventure"! You will always be in my prayers :)

    Ps. My phone autocorrected "Jenessa" to "Hebrews" hahahahhaha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha that's hilarious!! Aww but thanks so much for your kind words!! Sure love ya!

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  2. I had heard that you had an appt with Dr Lawrason-I LOVE him, and his midwife. And my friend who works LAbor and Delivery and has her own fertility trials said he is the one to see, saying some prayers for you!

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    Replies
    1. Aww thanks!! I really feel this will be good. He was pretty good to work with on our first visit.

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