There is nothing I dread more than calling my health insurance. Years of medical bills which lead to much time and energy invested in clarifying, disputing and preauthorizations took its toll. In fact, I my husband and I joke that my decision to leave my career to stay at home was to resolve insurance snafus.
So, when I found out the other day that therapy for one of kids needed preauthorization, I anticipated another frustrating call involving miscommunication, more than one phone call and clarification about the medical terminology that feels like a foreign language.
While waiting in the car while my son was in his appointment, I reluctantly dialed. After explaining the codes given to me by the practice, the employee and myself came to a dead end No answers. But, he refused to give up and asked to put me on hold. After a few minutes, he came back and explained that he went through the “back end” in order to figure it out. And revealed that the therapy was covered. The fact that he went the extra mile meant a lot. I felt valued.
But after the answer, the conversation continued. He shared an interest in the topic of my call. And our conversation turned into television characters who bring awareness in their extraordinary portrayals of individuals challenged by the issue and found a mutual love for the show “Royal Pains.” And what I imagined to be a lengthy frustrating task oriented call became one centered on human connection and validation.
I embrace the words of a meme that came across my social media feed:
“I wanna to be reminded for my kindness, for showing up, for giving second chances, for acknowledging my own toxic traits, and for loving selflessly. If that ain’t it, then I failed horribly. Remember to extend grace, because we are all just walking each other home.”
In every moment, I want to breathe life giving, fresh air of life into others.
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I love the quote of we are walking each other home, the whole encounter you had with that one person portrays that so well. Glad you got it all straightened out.
Yes, me too.
Be Jesus to EVERYONE you meet!
Having been there and done that, I really relate to those insurance company phone calls! What a blessing your call was — and a good reminder to me to be that person on my end of the line, that person who is kind and patient and as helpful as I can be. It can’t be easy being the one on the insurance end either. Thanks for a good post! FMF#36
Thanks for stopping by!
We have such power in our every day lives to encourage others. I love this quote. I don’t suppose you know the source? I’m going to copy it into my quote book to use.
I don’t know the exact source. It was in a meme. The idea of walking each other home I have seen referenced several times. And it’s so perfectly poignant.
I recently had a similar encounter when trying to trace down one of my many “lost” Christmas orders. I was steeled for many excuses and instead received care and concern. It was a breath of fresh air and totally changed my day! Like you, I want to be that for others, too!