I feel like Ive won the lottery!!

Hi Cas I've just read your post and I'm totally horrified that you have had to go through such trauma. It's totally unfair and unacceptable but, unfortunately, it's very common. I had the plastic surgeon's receptionist speaking to me like I was an idiot when I asked if the reason I hadn't received a receipt for my very expensive nipple recon surgery was because she had submitted it to Medicare for me. She spoke to me as if I was a two year old and had the temerity to tell me that of course I MUST have received her receipt because they DONT submit to medicare on their patients' behalf and then started to instruct me on how to go into Medicare and get my refund... She also asserted that I wouldn't actually get much back because it was plastic surgery (of course, not bothering to remember that I was a cancer patient so it is covered partly by Medicare and my Heath fund). I was, at this stage, in tears standing at the desk. She printed me another receipt and when I took it into Medicare and they processed it they told me that the surgeon had claimed my refund ($2000.00) and that they had had my money for three weeks already!!!!! I had already paid $4000.00 up-front to the surgeon two weeks before my surgery because those are his "rules". I was absolutely furious and completely crushed. The lady at Medicare called the surgeons office and, of course, they couldn't work out how THAT could have happened.... I had an apology but it left a very bad taste in my mouth. I was treated like an idiot and they must have thought I was one since they had stolen my refund. It's such a pity that its not a requirement for doctors who treat cancer to have admin staff who are cancer survivors themselves. It would make the whole process a lot easier to endure for the poor person going through the trauma of a diagnosis and consequent treatment. Please go and have your treatments so that you can live and long and healthy life and be able to give comfort to the next poor victim of this hateful disease. You are allowed to spit the dummy - who could blame you? Thinking of you and sending you soothing hugs, Xxx Jeanine