(warning: minor movie spoiler alert) As a working mom physician with a husband who is a stay at home dad, I was intrigued by the opening premise of the movie The Incredibles 2. Helen (Elastigirl) is tapped to return to work as a Superhero over her husband, Bob (Mr. Incredible). I looked forward to seeing…
Comments closedDid any of you other physician working moms out there get the dreaded made-at-school mother’s day card this year? You know, the one your kid makes in class, where they trace a flower (or some variation), and on each petal writes a word to describe you, their cherished mother? Why does the sight of this…
Comments closedPost updated 3/13/19 Welcome to Episode 3 of The Prior Authorization Games: Where the Odds are Never in Your Favor. In which I chronicle more examples of how to fight insurance company denial of services. My latest and most flabbergasting interactions with the insurance companies when requesting “prior authorization” for necessary medical care for my…
2 CommentsUpdated 03/14/2019 In my first year of oncology fellowship, our program director asked us an eye-opening question: what percentage of people with cancer survived 5 years or more? At that time, in 2003, the little-known answer was 60%. Fewer than half of us fellows, physicians in a subspecialty training program to devote our careers to…
Comments closedpost updated 3/15/19 Adjuvant chemotherapy, what is it? This comprehensive post will break it down for you, with an easy to understand example included. One of the most common questions I hear as a medical oncologist from my patients at an initial visit is: “My surgeon told me she got all the cancer. So why…
Comments closedPost updated 1/20/19 Fighting insurance company denial of prior authorizations Greetings Readers. I thought I would try something new and start somewhat of a series. If you didn’t see my original post on prior authorizations, this link will take you right to it. Last week I found myself on the phone, yet again arguing on…
2 Comments“My mom is a doctor, my dad is a dad.” So stated one of our children in their autobiography assignment for school. I read on, curious what would come next. “My dad usually stays home and cleans up, and takes care of the pets.” I thought for a moment. “That’s very good, honey, but do…
Comments closedThe Art of Oncology I am pleased to share the link to my newest published narrative essay, entitled The Puzzle Table, published online 10/2/17 in the Art of Oncology section of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Update March 2018: Now listen to the podcast on the JCO Art of Oncology Cancer Stories page. find links…
Comments closedRecently, I was enjoying a “mom day” running errands with the kids. You know, the usual essentials — groceries, school supplies, and espresso coffee drive-through. At this last stop, the barista made small talk and, seeing the kids in the back seat, joked about school starting soon and how I must be looking forward to…
2 Commentsupdated 3/15/19 I am not the first physician blogger to write about the difficulties of insurance prior authorization denials and appeals. But recent occurrences in my own practice have been so convoluted that I feel they must be shared. The nonsensical denials would almost cause one to laugh, if not for the reality that each…
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