Product of the System

Although I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt, Progressive has pushed the limit.

I have been more than patient and more than “understanding” but enough is enough. I have always been too kind and lenient and I am always paid back with lies and deceit for my kindnesses. So, I have to draw the line now.

I have been waiting nearly ONE FULL YEAR to be reimbursed for medical expenses and badly needed physical therapy -which I have yet to be able to start. It would seem that Progressive is still giving me the run-around.

Last Friday, Leah and I called Progressive and we were told that they are STILL waiting on medical records that I was told by the Hospital would be sent at the first of the year. Granted, we called the Hospital and they said that they had just sent out the paperwork earlier that week, but this is still taking way too long. This should have been done long ago.

Besides, I am only being impatient now and rushing now because I am in so much pain. I do not want to become addicted to pain pills, nerve pills, and whatever else is required just to take the edge off. This is all just too much.

If only Progressive would’ve taken care of this last year, things wouldn’t be so bad now. Being my typical, easy-going self, I would’ve settled for a few thousand dollars to cover my basic medical co-payments and would have hoped that my severe neck injury wasn’t so severe. However, by pushing me and pushing me to wait, Progressive has given me time to see that my injury is much, much more severe than I had imagined and due to lack of money for treatment has grown considerably worse by the day. Since they have taken nearly 365 days so far, that means it has gotten MUCH worse.

Now, I’m finding it difficult to concentrate or focus. The pain has me repeating things over and over because I cannot remember what I’ve done. My brain is basically “shutting down” on me -it seems. I don’t know. I’ve been ignoring it for months and months because that’s what I do. I persevere through anything that comes my way, but this neck injury is more than I can bear. I cannot fight this without help and Progressive doesn’t seem interested in making good on their end of the bargain. I paid my dues but they won’t pay theirs.

Today, I finally broke down and contacted the insurance commissioners office and they listened to my plight. Basically, I was told that it sounds as though Progressive is hoping to push me past the two-year limit after which they will just tell me to “get lost.” My claims adjuster did mention a two-year limit but told me that they are required to have presented me offers and settled within that period. It would seem she exaggerated in that dragging it out that long works to their benefit.

Anyway, I won’t let it get to that point.

The insurance commissioner spokesperson informed me that it is unlikely that Progressive will come back with an offer or else they would’ve already done so. He said once it’s gone on for this long, it’s up to me to push them. Now, I must write them a letter and set an amount that I would like for reimbursement. My dilemma is what to ask for? How much? What is a lifetime, severe neck injury worth? What is all the additional pain and suffering they’ve caused me worth? I have no idea.

My father instilled in me a sense of not asking for any more than I deserve. And, I think it was society that instilled in me to feel guilty asking for even that much. I have to keep reminding myself that I am the victim here, because I find it a struggle to press on and push people for money. I know I deserve something and because of the way Progressive has treated me and caused me all this extra pain, I think I deserve quite a bit more. Still, I feel guilty in asking.

But, I cannot feel that way any longer. I have to take a stand. I am contacting a lawyer -finally- and will be getting advice on what I should ask. Wish me luck. If anything, I just want to get some physical therapy on my neck to get me through these painful times. Leah says she may know someone who can help me out and I sure hope so. All I know is that I don’t want to suffer -needlessly- for the rest of my life and be hooked on pain meds just because some insurance carrier didn’t want to pay a few thousand off their bottom line. Now, it will cost them considerably more.

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