A Lost Battle, Won

A year ago this month I started the search for more hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Bryan for his brain injury. I started with phone calls to Tricare agents to see if this treatment was covered and I was assured it was.

A year later, roughly $40,000 in treatment was denied by Tricare. We received huge EOBs and bills. I logged hundreds of hours trying to figure out the issue. We have been blessed with amazing friends who helped us fight this battle and called in their contacts to help.

It was shortly after lunch yesterday when Bryan called my cell. He never calls me at work. He said, “I heard from UT hospital today about the bill.”

My response was “and?”

He said, “They accepted our proposed settlement of $4,000 and they will set up a payment plan.”

 I literally jumped, shouted, praised God and exclaimed how happy I was. The total bill we received between the hospital and the doctor that treated him was $28,924.00. The total bill was reduced to $6,000.

I absolutely can’t believe it. I am so thrilled and so thankful. An enormous weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We can breathe easier, we can relax again and we feel good knowing another battle is won.

Our work is not done though. I am willing to be the example if it promotes change. I hope that somehow, some way this treatment can be approved for and purchased for our wounded warriors in the near future. It helped my husband and we wish he could have the boosters he needs for a lifelong treatment plan. For now, however, that is not possible.

 I am going to do what I can to make more people aware of this treatment and how well it works. It should be used. I haven’t figured out yet how to do that but I hope by sharing this within my blog it might bring more awareness.