I am still attempting to navigate the medical maze. I had a call from my acupuncturist this morning saying that the phone number that my HMO had given her was incorrect. I then spent an hour on the phone with the HMO, explaining that we were on a wild goose chase and looking for an alternative. I was told that my request HAD to go through my medical group, but could be submitted by my PCP. We're trying that route, but in the past the medical group has had no knowledge of the HMO's acupuncture benefits, so I don't have a lot of hope. I have the option of paying cash for my acupuncture visits, but it's clearly a medical necessity and I feel they should cough up. (Fat chance.)
Each time I deal with an HMO I am astounded by the inefficiency. We can fly to the moon, but we can't streamline these organizations. I have to ask who is benefitting from this. It certainly isn't the patients.
