Insurance questions on heart terms?

[Me967]

I was curious and I'm not sure how to exactly ask; but, I am going to try.  I am now to learning health terms.  My Dr. did not tell me about alot of different stuff in my medical reports.  I requested them and for example I found out in 2006 I was labeled as having COPD.  I've complained of chest pain, and she has wrote in my medical records such things as, ASA, SOB, high BP, CAD, CP, HC, ect. you get the point.  Does Chest Pain mean you have angina?  Or does it have to be listed as so to have it declared "angina"?  PVC's ect.

A few months ago we went and got disability insurance and are setting up for our retirement so that we are covered when we get to that age.  They had alot of medical questions on the disability insurance.  Now that I have read my reports I see that a few things I listed are not true.

My question is:  
Does your Dr. actually have to tell you about this stuff or is it your responsibility to get your reports yourself?            
Does that mean that it is falsified on the disability insurance paper :-O ?  Ex. COPD or is a ASA considered a heart defect?

Just curious if anyone knows?  I figure if I can get an answer on here it would be better than calling the insurance company and messing myself up.

Thank you in advance on any input;
Amy

[kenkeith]

It may be wise to update your disability carrier especially if the insurance policy is fairly recent.  The reasoning would be to avoid any contest with a pre-existing medical clause exclusion in the event the insurer becomes liable for a future medical disability.

[Me967]

Connie Hi.  Thanks for the comment.  I will be talking to her on Tue. concerning my test results so "if I get time to ask her", I think I will.
What made me think of all of this in the first place was trying to learn the different "heart related acronyms" and meanings as listed above.  Then I began to wonder:

"Does Chest Pain mean you have angina?  Or does it have to be listed as so to have it declared "angina"?  PVC's ect.   ASA considered a heart defect? "

I wasn't ever told this before and answered no, I just told them I was checked for back pains, and have high bp and had some test done to find out why.  She said I should take an baby aspirin for the ASA so I guess I lied on the "aspirin regamin" question too.  That, thinking back was just stupid on my part.  Now I take lipitor, and soon probably thyroid from what the receptionist said last week but, I'm waiting till after the holiday weekend and husbands birthday to talk to her concerning my results.

Thank you for your comment and being a friend.  If I tell her I want to know for the disability insurance then I will also know her legal opinion.  That's Great.  I feel like such a babe on here; nevertheless, I'm learning with the help of alot of friends.  Thank You for your post.

Amy.

[Me967]

Hi.  Thank you for your reply.  My insurance I would imagine is updated threw my Doctor.  We have a insurance threw the North Am. for Self Employed.  Being that all deductibles and test would go threw them I would believe they would know everything they have to.  

My question I guess was more directed toward our Disability insurance.  It is threw a different carrier were if we have accident,plus we have the heart and cancer riders.  In the event of an accident or terminal illness, they pay you so much per day/ mo. ect.

"Since I looked at my reports I'm not sure if I answered them correctly now out of ignorance".  I'm nervous about asking them though because I don't want to stir a nest in fear of getting bit.   LOL  
Also was wondering if with "Disability Insurance" if you would have to update it?  Next week I need to talk to our business adviser so maybe he will be able to look it over.  I just feel sorta funny bringing it up.  

I'm glad you did not have to pay for your test.  I know they get really expensive.  I don't pay much attention to them until I meet the $3000 deductable.  We're thinking about lowering it and paying the higher premium.  ????.  To many decisions.  ha ha.  

Take good care of yourself, and it's ALWAYS a pleasure to type / hear from you;
Amy.

[Momto3]

I understand your question as it relates to "what do I really know?"  You can always talk with your doctor and ask how he/she would respond to the questions on the forms.  I do not think I would rely on the test results since they are often computer generated and not necessarily correlated to your history, exam, body type, etc.  

Also, as an example, you can go in and out of CHF....I really think I'd talk it over with the doctor and not guess as to what to you may, or may not have.  Hope that makes sense....

[kenkeith]

I had an experience years ago with medicare (you may have a different insurance due to your young age) and medicare refused to pay for a test procedure and the doctor was billing me.  I contacted medicare and was told the doctor should have informed me the test was not covered by insurance, and if he had told me I would be responsible for the bill.  I was not told by the doctor, and I did not have to pay the bill.  It didn't present any problem for me as the doctor should have known...that is the legal and ethical position on such matters.

A doctor should provide all relevant information regarding your medical condition so you or a responsible party can then intelligently help make medical decisions.  You shouldn't be required to report any procedures or treatment to the insurance company.  What insurance providers (medicare) ask is to be told if the procedure and treatment was done...information would be listed on bills to be paid and mailed to you.

  

[Me967]

Hi there. What I was asking was mainly as far as the legal aspects for disability insurance.  

As far as your comment though I am not upset with her now.  I was at first I guess just because it startled me and well it's a long story to type out; nevertheless, She tried to tell me I had heart issues for some time and I was just to stubborn to believe her.  When I finally did then well, LOL she sorta blew me off.  Can't blame her.  I do get along with her all though now I listen to her and ask questions to "look" at my information with her.

I just wasn't sure how it worked with the insurance company's?  I am ignorant to alot of the medical terminology and was questioning whether I would have to change anything on my disability insurance or not.  And whether or not you have to update it?

Thanks;  Amy

[momtofourboys]

Hi Me
This is the responsiblilty of your doctor to tell you what is wrong with you. you are not expected to go out and hunt down this information yourself. your doctor hasn't told you any of this?? I would be running the other way from this doctor, AFTER i confront him/her as to why you had no idea what was going on with your body. how are you suppose to let some other treating doctor know what is wrong with oyu if your doctor doesn't tell you. (example, what if you go away on vaction and God forbid yo are in an accident you  need to let them know what is wrong in order to treat you corrctly and not harm you any further.
I have always suggested to get a copy of your medical records to have for your own sake, wspecially when you feel somehting is wrong and the doctor isn't listening and you go somewhere else you have your records to bring with you and they can have a copy. also there are many thigns a doctor won't tell you or explain to you and if you read about it you can always ask them what does this or that  mean.
It is YOUR body you have that right to know what is wrong and why you are on that medication they put you on.
Sorry to keep going on but things like this about doctors bug me
Amy give me a rign tonight after 9 and i will be more then willing to tell you someof these terms if you don't understand
hopefully I can talk more this time then the last.
michelle

[Me967]

P.S.  Also if you find out new test results do you have to update it on your insurance to let them know of any changes?  I hope these questions are ok for the site.  

Thank you;  Amy