Annie Way
February 2022
Ann
Way
,
RN
Float Team
Carle Physician Group
Urbana
,
IL
United States
This process took over 3-months, yet Annie kept pushing and calling both to keep matters on track, and she also called our home numerous times to report progress.
After my pulmonologist referred me to be seen and evaluated at National Jewish Health (“NJH”) in Denver, his nurse, Annie became an unbelievably helpful coordinator and advocate for me as she untangled referral and insurance issues, clearing the way for my ability to be seen at NJH. First, NJH would not agree to see me until they could review my medical records. Annie quickly sent to them everything they required. Second, NJH would not agree to schedule me until my insurer, authorized various CPT codes representing various tests and evaluations over a projected 8-day stay at NJH.
I’m not sure this was her job, but Annie jumped in as a “go-between” for me and constantly called both NJH and my insurance to ensure each had the information they needed to authorize and then schedule my evaluation. This process took over 3-months, yet Annie kept pushing and calling both to keep matters on track, and she also called our home numerous times to report progress. She also sent updates to me on MyCarle (patient portal). There is no way I could have maneuvered this matter alone. There were a few times that the parties just stalled or delayed matters, yet Annie kept calling and pushing for me. Then, about a week before I left for Denver, I received an unexpected packet of documents in the mail from Annie which included copies of authorization letters and what I should ask the physicians at NJH to send to my insurance for further authorizations.
I cannot imagine the amount of time and perseverance it took for Annie to accomplish all this on my behalf, all of which was quietly done behind the scenes, out of her dedication to my care. My ability to be seen and treated by two of the nation’s top respiratory care physicians at NJH was the result of Annie’s efforts. But making the complex referral to NJH was not my first notice of Annie’s diligence and advocacy for her patients.
In July 2021, when she noticed how much one of my newly prescribed medications cost ($800 per 28-day course) she called our home and said she was contacting a financial advocate to see if there could be some assistance for that cost. This was on her own! Also, she called many times in May/June 2021 to check on the status of my bronchoscopy cultures, which were sent to NJH, and always kept me posted on their status. She was always cheerful and my wife and I could always count on her ending her calls with “we just want to get you feeling better!” When Annie called, no matter how good or bad the news was, I always felt better!
As to the April 2021 bronchoscopy, it was Annie who got it scheduled and explained the procedure to me in a way that I could understand. I wish she could explain all my procedures to me. Annie is a true DAISY Nurse. She is no longer in Carle Pulmonology 6N, but she is missed by everyone there...especially me and my doctor.
I’m not sure this was her job, but Annie jumped in as a “go-between” for me and constantly called both NJH and my insurance to ensure each had the information they needed to authorize and then schedule my evaluation. This process took over 3-months, yet Annie kept pushing and calling both to keep matters on track, and she also called our home numerous times to report progress. She also sent updates to me on MyCarle (patient portal). There is no way I could have maneuvered this matter alone. There were a few times that the parties just stalled or delayed matters, yet Annie kept calling and pushing for me. Then, about a week before I left for Denver, I received an unexpected packet of documents in the mail from Annie which included copies of authorization letters and what I should ask the physicians at NJH to send to my insurance for further authorizations.
I cannot imagine the amount of time and perseverance it took for Annie to accomplish all this on my behalf, all of which was quietly done behind the scenes, out of her dedication to my care. My ability to be seen and treated by two of the nation’s top respiratory care physicians at NJH was the result of Annie’s efforts. But making the complex referral to NJH was not my first notice of Annie’s diligence and advocacy for her patients.
In July 2021, when she noticed how much one of my newly prescribed medications cost ($800 per 28-day course) she called our home and said she was contacting a financial advocate to see if there could be some assistance for that cost. This was on her own! Also, she called many times in May/June 2021 to check on the status of my bronchoscopy cultures, which were sent to NJH, and always kept me posted on their status. She was always cheerful and my wife and I could always count on her ending her calls with “we just want to get you feeling better!” When Annie called, no matter how good or bad the news was, I always felt better!
As to the April 2021 bronchoscopy, it was Annie who got it scheduled and explained the procedure to me in a way that I could understand. I wish she could explain all my procedures to me. Annie is a true DAISY Nurse. She is no longer in Carle Pulmonology 6N, but she is missed by everyone there...especially me and my doctor.