Healthcare Follies, Part the Billionth

So yesterday the Spouse calls me, barely restrained panic in his voice.

Let me backtrack. A year and a half ago (okay, a year and four months ago) I had foot surgery. It was at a point when our insurance was switching over from one carrier to the next, but all parties said this was not a problem. And indeed: the bills for the surgical center and anesthesiologist and all came in and were dealt with.

Now our carrier was insisting that we weren't covered for the doctor's fees. Which, this being a surgical procedure and all, were considerable. Hence the barely restrained panic.

A few phone calls got him to the doctor's billing agency. A few more minutes on the phone and someone at the other end gave a little exasperated giggle and said "Oh, I see what happened. Don't worry about it, it's just paperwork."

Yup, it sure is. And wear and tear on the adrenals.