Fresh Thinking

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 L E T T E R F RO M T H E E D I TO R 1 By Jody Mayo Editor In Chief October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month nationally and "BE an Advocate" month at Digital. It's ironic that I have just had a personal brush with a breast cancer scare and am able to share the importance of "BEing an advocate" for your own health and health care. Breast is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year. While most people are aware of the disease, many don't bother to take the steps necessary to detect it in its early stages. Health experts say women should begin having annual mammograms at age 40 and should know their risks — family health history, genetic predisposition, breast changes and other factors that have been associated with a higher risk of getting breast cancer. I am a fanatic about keeping up with routine wellness and preventive health care. Some years ago, I had a dubious mammogram reading and was advised to be diligent with self-exams and routine care. This year, my annual mam- mogram revealed some concerns, so I was sent to the hospital for another reading which showed enough changes that a biopsy was recommended. Before going in for the procedure, I called Aetna to verify my coverage and costs — something I may not have known to do before coming to work at Digital. Thankfully, the biopsy was benign, but the procedure caused rather unpleasant complications outside the norm that prompted me to contact the radiologist for further evaluation and treatment. This is where "BEing an advocate" for your health and health care costs is vitally important. The education I received by virtue of working here at Digital made me know I had options and empowered me to take action. I had received an explanation of benefits (EOB) revealing a significant out-of-pocket expense that was not in line with the information I had been given when I called Aetna. So, I submitted an appeal to Aetna, asked the hospital to itemize all the costs listed on my bill, contacted the facility that performed the procedure and asked them to waive fees for any subsequent costs related to the complications. The hospital reduced their fee, provided a free follow-up visit and a referral to see the best surgeon on their staff. The moral of the story for me is that we all need to be advocates for our own health and do our part to be educated, informed and involved. When in doubt, question. Be sure you review your written coverage plan. Stay on top of routine exams; they could save your life. If we make our health a priority and use the tools and resources available to us ( like 100 percent paid preventive checkups), we will have a fighting chance to eradicate or catch disease early on. Please make sure you and your loved ones are staying on top of your wellness checkups and "BE an advocate" for your optimal health. Jody Mayo Digital Employees participate in "Pink Friday" to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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