MOM
by David S. Edge
One of our long-time clients called and wanted a meeting ASAP! Clair was very concerned about her mom and just had to talk to us!
When we met, Clair had mom (Doris) with her and it became clear what the issue was. Doris was moving to be close to Clair and all her grandchildren. She was selling her home back east that she had owned for over 40 years and was more than a little apprehensive about all that was going on with the new changes. The most important thing Doris was concerned about was her health care plan that she had at her old address.
“But I’m losing all my doctors,” she lamented. Her daughter, Clair, was quick to chide her by stating “But mom, at 94 years of age, most of your doctors have retired and you need new ones anyway”. Doris was silent for just a moment and then conceded that Clair was correct. She needed new doctors. After some humorous discussion, it appears Doris was only concerned about losing her one new and much younger, primary care doctor who looked like a young Dr. Kildare from the old TV series. “He’s such a cutie” she mentioned.
While I could not guarantee Doris that I could find another primary doctor for her as cute as the one she was giving up, I did mention that with the local plan we found for her, she could change her primary doctor any month she chose to. The plan also had great co-pays that were less expensive than her old plan. She seemed to warm up to the idea that she would spend less money with her new health plan. She was also interested to find both hospitals in her new neighborhood were on her plan and that she could choose which one she liked in the event she needed one. “I’ve only been in a hospital to deliver my children” she was proud to say. And since she still walked 5 miles every day, she was pleased that her plan offered free gym membership!
As we finished up her paperwork and they were getting ready to leave, Doris said, “Well, I have to have a hug as you have made me relieved about my health care. As I leaned over for my hug, I whispered in her ear, “From your lips to God’s ears, I hope I am as ‘with it’ as you are at age 94”.
That earned me another small giggle from my new friend.