Health Insurance Advocacy

Over the last 10 years since I sustained a spinal cord injury in 2010 I have made it my life’s mission to teach myself how to become my own self advocate and an advocate for others in gaining approvals from health insurance companies for medically necessary equipment.  Sadly our health insurance industry is flawed in so many ways and the system is set-up for many of us to fail who live with debilitating disabilities.

There are so many wonderful individuals and organizations working to create systemic change within our health insurance industry in the United States, but until that day comes, we have to learn how to navigate within the broken system we are faced with.  It’s not impossible, but it does take learning to be your own advocate, determination, perseverance, and the willingness to fight for what you need in order to improve your quality of life, independence, and live life with a little bit more dignity.

I have compiled a list of many of my articles from this website and magazines on this page to, not only illustrate how to navigate some of these pitfalls within the system, but to offer hope to those who think they are at a dead end.  You are not alone- I assure you.  You have rights and you need to know what they are, and how to best help yourself.

October 25, 2023PERMOBIL HERO of the YEAR AWARD & KEYNOTE SPEAKER

January 25, 2023The Importance of CRT: From the Perspective of Ali Ingersoll, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023

How to Navigate the Health Insurance Appeals Process “Patient-to-Patient” Guide

I am humbled and extremely proud to have parted with National Nonprofit SPINALpedia. I’ve spent the last year writing a detailed guide to helping people navigate the health insurance appeals process with tips and tricks.

Navigating the health insurance approval and denial process can be a winding road filled with roadblocks at every turn, but if you understand where these barriers are placed you can divert around them in order to get to your destination. This will be a living guide and will consistently be added to over time by myself and many others around the country.

This guide is a culmination of my work over the last 10 years after being repeatedly denied medically necessary equipment I needed to not only survive in life, but to thrive. I have fought long and hard battles for equipment such as total hospital electrical beds, shower chairs, seat elevators for power wheelchairs, functional electrical stimulation bikes, pressure relieving mattresses, and more with much success.

My sincere wishes that people do not have to fight as hard as I have had to and please let this guide help you avoid some of the major mistakes I made along the way, and how I navigated multiple approvals with my health insurance company.

History in the Making – CMS Expands Coverage of Power Seat Elevation

May, 2023 https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/cms-expands-coverage-of-power-seat-elevation-systems

Navigating Insurance Appeals & Approvals with Help Hope Live

May, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Y8MgfL_vI

Advocating through Ablest Insurance Policy Webinar – Posted by The World Disability Advocacy Group

 

May, 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=OA-gOzCQQKs&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quirkyquad.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo

6 Strategies to Navigate Your Insurance Providers Approvals Process

July 26, 2021 – https://quirkyquad.com/2021/08/11/6-strategies-to-navigate-your-insurance-providers-approvals-process/

The Never Ending Health Insurance Battle – A Year Later

May 3, 2021- https://quirkyquad.com/2021/05/03/the-never-ending-health-insurance-battle-a-year-later/

Never, Never, Never Give up – Even when Health Insurance Denies you

February 17, 2021 – https://quirkyquad.com/2021/02/17/never-never-never-give-up-even-when-health-insurance-denies-you/

Call to Action – Navigating Health Insurance Appeals

January 21, 2021 – https://quirkyquad.com/2021/01/21/call-to-action-navigating-health-insurance-appeals/

The Road So Far … 2020 & Beyond

November 30, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/11/30/the-road-so-far-2020-beyond/

Am I Manipulating the Health Insurance System?

September 24, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/09/24/am-i-manipulating-the-health-insurance-system/

Health Insurance Approval for Specialized Shower Chair – Unexpected Win

September 02, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/09/02/health-insurance-approval-for-specialized-shower-chair-unexpected-win/

Christopher Reeve Foundation – We Are Stronger Together

August 07, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/08/07/christopher-reeve-foundation-we-are-stronger-together/

Health Insurance Company Vs. The Individual (0-1)  – A Fight to Remember

August 05, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/08/05/health-insurance-company-vs-the-individual-0-1-a-fight-to-remember/

ABC 11 News Interview

July 18, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/07/18/abc11-news-interview/

News & Observer Media article over Success in Insurance Battle for Medically Necessary Equipment

July 09, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/07/09/news-observer-media-article-over-success-in-insurance-bottle-for-medically-necessary-equipment/

The Fight for Survival – Health Insurance Battle for Medically Necessary Wheelchair Seat Elevator – Final Decision

July 06, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/07/06/the-fight-for-survival-health-insurance-battle-for-medically-necessary-wheelchair-seat-elevator-final-decision/

The Fight For survival – Health Insurance Battle Tactics For Medically Necessary Services – Part 2

June 22, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/06/22/the-fight-for-survival-health-insurance-battle-tactics-for-medically-necessary-services-part-2/

The Art of Health Insurance Appeals: My battle For A Power Wheelchair Seat Lift

May 19, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/05/19/the-art-of-health-insurance-appeals-my-battle-for-a-power-wheelchair-seat-lift/

The Downfall Of Our Healthcare System: A Harsh Reality

January 27, 2020 – https://quirkyquad.com/2020/01/27/the-downfall-of-our-healthcare-system-a-harsh-reality/

Moving Mountains Paralyzed: An insurance Battle To Remember – Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike

February 07, 2018 – https://quirkyquad.com/2018/02/07/moving-mountains-paralyzed-an-insurance-battle-to-remember/

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