Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Medical Update: PET Scan Schedule; Insurance Companies Are...

Ok, this weekend I went to Zhenjiang on Sunday evening to arrange for my PET Scan and to take my receipts to begin the reimbursement process. I met with Mr. Yang on Sunday evening and gave him the names of the of the two hospitals and my receipts. He told me he would let me know on Monday what he found out. We were hoping that by some chance the hospital in Zhenjiang had the equipment. No go!

So, he came to meet me and let me know that the PET Scan was scheduled for Thursday in Shanghai. I told him that I had a class Thursday afternoon. Wednesday would be no good either as it was still the holiday. However, I have no classes on Friday so he called the hospital and they agreed to change my appointment to Friday at 12: noon. I will be interested in seeing if that schedule holds, as the hospitals here take a break from around 11:30 a.m until 1:15 p.m. Anyway, he will call the school tomorrow and ask them to arrange a car to take me to Shanghai. He will leave Zhenjiang by train and meet me in Shanghai at the hospital and serve as my interpreter.

Insurance: The insurance will not pay for the PET Scan, (don't know why) and will probably only pay 50% of the CT Scan. Mr. Yang says that is normal, even for Chinese. On the plus side, he was told the scan will be 7000rmb instead of 9500rmb like I'd heard. Even so, that pretty well takes care of a month's salary. But, God is good, I have some extra rmb set aside.

I had previously had a discussion with my friend Tuo about how insurance worked in the U.S. I told him how we generally have a co-pay of 15% and that was on most everything, like Dr.'s visits, medical tests, and hospital stays. And, once we reached a certain out of pocket limit, the insurance company would pay for the rest. He told me that his insurance is a bit different in that at the beginning of each year, he has a a certain amount of funds that is available to pay for medical needs, but once that limit is reached, then he has to pay out of his pocket a certain amount, and then the insurance would kick back in. It was kind of confusing but, then what do you expect from insurance companies. Seems nothing is ever simple.

As far as treatments go, Mr. Yang believes they would cover the surgery removing the gall bladder, but if there is something more seriously wrong, the insurance company will probably not provide any coverage. So, the story continues.

I am hoping that the PET Scan will provide some definitive answers one way or the other. I know something is not right, whether it is the gall bladder problems or something else, I have lost weight much more quickly than was planned for. I am down to 86kgs (189lbs). I had been targeting 176-180 lbs, but the date was to be in June, not April. In addition to the weight loss, I seem to be constantly drained of energy. Even if I get a decent nights sleep, within a few hours of being awake, I am pretty tired, and that is just not normal for me. So, I ask for prayer that this test will give a diagnosis and then that I could plan accordingly.

To end on a high note, the Thursday night study has been very well attended, and this Thursday we will studying and discussing the days leading up to our Savior's crucifixion and rising from the grave, conquering death once and for all!  Please pray that this study will create some life changing events-for all of us, believers, and especially the non believers. Romans 1:16 tells us: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. and verses 17  tell us that 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  So, be in prayer that the salvation will come to those who don't believe, and that those who do believe will be renewed  to Live by Faith!

I want to end by thanking and praising God for His loving kindness and for putting people like Dr.Sheng and Dr. Pamfort in my path. I also thank Him for you who have been supporting me and praying for me as I serve in China. He will never leave us nor forsake us! Hebrews 13:15. So, as always, thanks for your support, love, and prayers. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...

1 comment:

  1. Still praying, expecting, trusting that God has the very best waiting for you. Of course, His best is far superior to our best and His ways past finding out. I pray that you will experience the fullness of His grace and His loving kindness.

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