The Battle Continues

In April we switched our health insurance to Cigna through Steve's new job.  I was so excited to finally have a group plan offered to us through an employer.  I knew we would have a few hiccups getting Jonah's prescription for growth hormone switched over, but I was sure that it wouldn't be anything like what we've dealt with in the past to get him his medication.

Boy was I wrong.

Right away (in May) Cigna denied Jonah's prescription.  Frustrated and angry, we appealed their decision.  They denied our appeal.  Even more frustrated, more angry, and now beat down, we appealed it again (we did a level 2 appeal).

We found out today that Cigna has upheld its decision to deny growth hormone for Jonah.

I can even put into words how I feel.

My son has a chronic condition.  His body does not produce growth hormone on its own.  He was born this way and was diagnosed when he was 8 months old.  We've had lots of doctors tell us that he has one of the most clear cases of Growth Hormone Deficiency they've ever seen.

The good news is that there is a treatment - a synthetic form of the growth hormone produced in our bodies - that is administered by injection.  However, it's a very expensive drug so insurance companies do not like to cover it.  Jonah started growth hormone treatment when he was 15 months old (he gets a shot every day).  With the drug, Jonah grows and has been able to maintain relatively average height throughout his childhood.  Without the drug, he does not grow.  He's been out of the drug for four months and counting. 

Tonight, I hugged him close and told him that Mommy and Daddy are fighting very hard to get him his medicine.  I told him that we are battling against a big insurance company and that it's very, very hard, but that we aren't going to give up.

He thought about it for a minute and in an effort to make everything okay, he said, "It's okay, I can wait 10 years to get my medicine."

Then about a second later he said, "No, wait, I don't want to wait 10 years.  Because then they (other kids) will be way taller than me.  And they might not let me in to high school."

--------- (that's the sound of my heart breaking)

Jonah, I love you so much.  I will keep fighting for you.  I will do whatever it takes to get you your medicine so that you can grow.  Mommy and Daddy are so tired.  For some reason, everything is so hard for us right now.  But, we will keep going because we love you more than you'll ever know.

Lord, please give Steve and I the strength to continue.  I know you are here with us to help us through this hard season of our lives.  Thank you.  Right now, we are at our limit.  It all feels like too much.  We have no margins, no places of rest.  We need more of you. 

Help us to get Jonah approved for his medication.  Help us to find a house.  Help us to figure out school for our kids.  Help us to find rest.  Protect Steve as he continues with the grueling daily commute.  Help us to continue to release it all to you.      

Psalm 22:1-5
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.  

(For more on Jonah's story and our insurance battles, go here and here).