Assertive: Do you feel you can be... - My MSAA Community

My MSAA Community

9,410 membersβ€’21,190 posts

Assertive

greaterexp profile image
greaterexp
β€’32 Replies

Do you feel you can be assertive when it comes to talking to your health care providers and insurance providers? I feel that we just have to be assertive (not aggressive!) when it comes to getting our needs met.

I never want to speak out of anger, for I always regret it, but MS has at least made me a little less passive and quiet when it comes to healthcare.

Written by
greaterexp profile image
greaterexp
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
32 Replies
β€’
Jesmcd2 profile image
Jesmcd2CommunityAmbassador

Umm, well, I can be! Especially when I'm backing out of the office, because he's saying something I don't want to hear! But, I'm me! So he expects as much!πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ€—πŸ’•πŸŒ 

carolek572 profile image
carolek572CommunityAmbassador

Me too, greaterexp I NEVER speak out of anger, instead, I gather as much information as possible and I ask them, when all else fails, what can I do to fix the problem. My last infusion almost didn't happen because the Specialty Pharmacy couldn't deliver the meds in time because the doctor's office couldn't be reached. When I talked to my doctor's office, they were told that they couldn't talk to them until they talked with me. Huh? I called them back and ask them specifically what they needed from me. They need prior authorization from the insurance company, and they didn't have it ~ I couldn't do it, only the doctor's office could, and they couldn't, until they talked with me! Well, I had the approval from the insurance company, so did the doctor's office, and I gave them the number. Well, now they couldn't guarantee that the meds would be there for infusion because they needed 48 hours to accomplish that! I told them that they had all the time in the world because it was scheduled 6 months ago, and now that we were 24 hours away from the infusion ~ never mind that I was trying to get this fixed for well over a week ~ I told them that my infusion was going to happen as scheduled, or else. It happened, but I am going to let my State insurance commissioner aware of this. I am sure that I am not the only one that this has happened to... I never give up, be assertive, and make sure that you do everything in your power to make things happen :-D

Morllyn profile image
Morllyn

I have become more assertive, over the years, for myself and my family. Sometimes it is the only way to get what one needs.

Kenu profile image
Kenu

I think that being assertive is the only way,speak up and follow up is the keyπŸ‘πŸ˜Š Ken 🐾🐾

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply toKenu

Do you know what paves the road- way & to hell???

GOOD INTENSIONS !!!

πŸ™β€LISAπŸ’•

yesI Have found that I need to be more assertive than I ever was before my diagnosis, but interestingly my care providers seem to appreciate my active approach to treating my own illness. Thank you for sharing this, hadn't really thought about the issue till you pointed it out.Robert

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply to

Hi Robert😊

How are you doing??πŸ€”

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

β€’ in reply toSweetheartonvdayl

I am getting a little stronger, but still having a hard time adjusting to the" new normal" I personally don't think there is anything normal about it though. Hope you're well.Robert

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply to

Hi😊

I'm right now coming 🏑 from MI. Since, here in OH , there's high prices on " flower." I need this for medical reasons .

Yes, it's a whole new strange 🌎 out there....

I'm well. Thank YOU for asking. Stay in touch w/me!!!

Your friend

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

β€’ in reply toSweetheartonvdayl

Yes of course appreciate your comments and always good to know others are struggling with this new reality but surviving. Thanks as always Robert

I , unfortunately, 1x acted out of anger & still regret it.

This action I still regret til this day because it's FOREVER in my chart!!! Does anyone think that's why I'm not getting anything ordered for PAIN ??!!? πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

πŸ™Lisaβ€πŸ’•

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9β€’ in reply toSweetheartonvdayl

Your comment reminds me of when we tell kids "this will be on your permanent record!"

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply tomrsmike9

U got that right! mrsmike9buffering😊

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

kdali profile image
kdali

I definitely have to speak up for myself, and keep scrolling here and there to find out what my options even could be. I’m glad I saw a random post on Facebook about steroids after delivering a baby.

I did know that insurance was terrible and I’m shocked when they approve anything. I let my husband call them and he does get angry.

kdali profile image
kdali

I will add that MS has made me less passive in all aspects of life.

rjoneslaw profile image
rjoneslaw

I certainly can and do

I have a care coordinator for my insurance and she is there to help when I need help with my needs but she has told me several times I'm her only client she doesn't have to worry about because I have handled my business.

I just call and tell her what I've done so she can note it in my file.

My insurance and my dr both know me very well because I have called and I will follow up

I have filed a butt load of complaints and appeals with the insurance that I think at this point they just give me what I'm asking for

kdali profile image
kdaliβ€’ in reply torjoneslaw

πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

hairbrain4 profile image
hairbrain4

I learned a long time ago when the doctors almost killed my mom. My husband fired all but one of the doctors and then moved her to another hospital. You know your body better than anyone else does. If you don't stand up to the doctors and the insurance companies they can run you over. I always question why they want to give me a medication & sometimes refuse it. There have been procedures that I refuse also. I feel it's a waste of time & money. But the doctors have to cover their behinds by suggesting them so they don't get sued.

I find it hard to be assertive but do get business done

I have been told not to make any decisions when your angry

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply to

Well , you are correct, MSSURVIVOR1 , my dad always used to say that too !!!

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

Mjcarbo profile image
Mjcarbo

In my 45 years of dealing with MS, I don't think that I have ever spoken in anger (hope not!). But many years ago, my neurologist told me, "Nobody knows your MS better than you". That encouragement helped me to be more proactive and assertive in dealing with others.

palomino27 profile image
palomino27

First time I went to a MS related doctor I was probably afraid and intimidated. Now my doctors, I think, are more afraid and intimidated of me then I am of them. And not because I'm mean or they don't like me, but because they know I will challenge them and they will have to work for their probably ridiculously large salary. There is so much more to MS then DMT's. If an MS doctor seems to only know DMT's run for the hills in my experience.

Smithnova profile image
Smithnova

In today's world, I think you have to be assertive to get the understanding of what you need and feel. Not aggressive, not mean, not disrespectful; but honestly and firmly speaking for yourself. We are not carbon copies, or trial and error projects. This is my body, my life, my battle; so people need to try to understand where I am coming from. Some get it, some don't; but my relationship with my medical teams is so much better, no beating around the bush. We get straight to the facts and enjoy the appointment times more openly.

Nobody was responding to my posts

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply to

But I did!!!😊😊

β€’ in reply toSweetheartonvdayl

I was up early morning and was confused on my piat

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply to

I'm always confused πŸ˜•

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9

I don't (yet) feel the need to be assertive with my doctor. However I have had to be Very assertive with my insurance company. Especially at the beginning of the year when everything resets and the people are so Stupid!!!

greaterexp profile image
greaterexpβ€’ in reply tomrsmike9

I dread that time of year.

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9β€’ in reply togreaterexp

Me, too. But I've gotten smarter. Whenever they ask if I have enough meds I always say something like, I'm not at home but I'm getting down there. When this past January came I was 2 bottles ahead and I needed every bit of them to keep me going until things got straitened out!

Sweetheartonvdayl profile image
Sweetheartonvdaylβ€’ in reply tomrsmike9

Soooo true!!!πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

πŸ™β€LisaπŸ’•

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Cancelled Appointments?

So many doctors offices, as well as other health care providers, such as dentists, are deferring...
greaterexp profile image
β€’

Second opinions

Okay I have had swollen feet over a year now. They blew out a couple months ago when I had the...
doveflyfree profile image
β€’

When You're Not Here...

...we miss you! Each person who comes to this site brings their knowledge, support for others, and...
greaterexp profile image
β€’

Internet is having issues :(

My internet is having problems I don’t know if it’s from the weather it comes and it goes. So I...
ssdw1958 profile image
β€’

I need a little help

I have to admit my ignorance when it comes to all the acronyms spilled out on this forum. Can...
CraigS profile image
β€’

Moderation team

See all
johnMSAA profile image
johnMSAAPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.