# Where's davidm? In the hospital recovering from a medical screwup. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/321 "2018-02-15T16:00:58Z")
I called the insurer’s appeal number and, in a very short and perfunctory conversation, was told that I can’t appeal. The benefit is what it is and that’s it. So what the hell is the point of having an appeal number? I wonder if it’s worth contacting the insurance commissioner. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/322 "2018-02-15T17:32:19Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I called the insurer’s appeal number and, in a very short and perfunctory conversation, was told that I can’t appeal. The benefit is what it is and that’s it. So what the hell is the point of having an appeal number? > > I wonder if it’s worth contacting the insurance commissioner. Phooey ☹ :mad: It can’t hurt to contact the commissioner. Also: is your insurance through your job? If so, contact your HR department. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/323 "2018-02-15T17:55:45Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Phooey ☹ :mad: > > It can’t hurt to contact the commissioner. Also: is your insurance through your job? If so, contact your HR department. No. It’s private. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/324 "2018-02-15T18:12:47Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I called the insurer’s appeal number and, in a very short and perfunctory conversation, was told that I can’t appeal. The benefit is what it is and that’s it. So what the hell is the point of having an appeal number? > > I wonder if it’s worth contacting the insurance commissioner. I’d give the insurance company another call; wouldn’t be the first time different phone reps give a different answer. All it’ll cost you is some time on hold. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/325 "2018-02-15T19:32:48Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I’d give the insurance company another call; wouldn’t be the first time different phone reps give a different answer. All it’ll cost you is some time on hold. My insurance broker is looking into it. I’ll let her handle it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/326 "2018-02-15T19:53:55Z")
Once you are discharged will a visiting nurse at home be covered? My gf’s mom had a knee replaced recently. She was discharged the day after surgery, but she had a nurse stop in daily for PT, etc. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/327 "2018-02-15T20:12:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Once you are discharged will a visiting nurse at home be covered? > > My gf’s mom had a knee replaced recently. She was discharged the day after surgery, but she had a nurse stop in daily for PT, etc. Yes. There will definitely be a visiting nurse; to set up my TPN every day if nothing else. There will probably also be someone to do PT a few times a week. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/328 "2018-02-16T19:43:36Z")
PT says I’m able to go home so Monday I’m heading home (actually to live with my brother at first). ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/329 "2018-02-16T20:00:04Z")
Yay! Congratulations on getting the heck out of dodge! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/330 "2018-02-16T20:01:53Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > PT says I’m able to go home so Monday I’m heading home (actually to live with my brother at first). Great news. You have a lot of guts for a guy who doesn’t have a lot of guts. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/331 "2018-02-16T20:07:05Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Yay! Congratulations on getting the heck out of dodge! 😃 Getting our of Dodge is right. Flu is currently circulating in the facility. They have me on Tamiflu as a preventative. The longer I’m here, the greater the chance I’ll pick up something. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/332 "2018-02-16T20:08:05Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Great news. You have a lot of guts for a guy who doesn’t have a lot of guts. 🙂 It took me a moment to get your joke. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/333 "2018-02-19T00:59:28Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > It took me a moment to get your joke. 🙂 And I’d bet it hurt like hell when you laughed at it :D. I’m amused that they’re sending you home on Monday. The rehab place did that with my MIL. She got no services (beyond basic care) over the weekend - we think it was a cash grab on the part of the rehab clinic. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/334 "2018-02-19T14:50:51Z")
I may not be going home today. I have a fever and a terrible cough (to the point where I’m gasping for breath). A test for flu was negative. That’s something at least. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/335 "2018-02-19T15:32:15Z")
\*\*davidm, \*\*I hope your cough, and your health in general, improves soon. Wishing you the best. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/336 "2018-02-19T15:47:35Z")
I was just told that it’s nothing serious and that it can be handled at home by the visiting nurse. So I’m going home this afternoon. I hope they’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/337 "2018-02-19T18:12:30Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I was just told that it’s nothing serious and that it can be handled at home by the visiting nurse. So I’m going home this afternoon. I hope they’re right. Home! Home! Huzzah! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/338 "2018-02-19T18:33:40Z")
Holy hannah. I hope things improve. I think it’s a good thing you’re getting out of there. Are they sending you off with something for that cough? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/339 "2018-02-19T19:39:03Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I was just told that it’s nothing serious and that it can be handled at home by the visiting nurse. So I’m going home this afternoon. I hope they’re right. Great day in the morning (or afternoon)! Best of luck and I hope things keep improving for you. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/340 "2018-02-19T21:31:15Z")
Good news! Enjoy finally being at home! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=18)