DePue Heartbreak

[Original Looper 1]

There are some rumors going around about why I did not attend the DePue inaugural reunion. Believe me, there’s no place else on earth that I would rather have been this weekend. To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement.

The fact is, after my most recent doctor’s visit, it was decided that the heat & humidity plus the stress of traveling to DePue might be too much risk for me at this time.

A few years ago I had a minor heart attack. I thought I had insurance. While in the hospital, looking at hospital bills of possibly $150,000 or more, I found out that Aetna had changed the terms of my policy several months before and they would only pay $5000. Yes, you read that correctly, a measly five thousand dollars.

I was never notified by Aetna of the policy change. Later I found out that they didn’t even HAVE to notify me by mail of the change. I also found out that this was “legal” in 34 states at the time - now it’s more. You only think you have health insurance. Try using it!

To add insult to injury, the 1st night in the hospital they almost killed me by giving me too much nitro, causing my blood pressure to drop too low. They didn’t even have a blood pressure monitor on me, the guy with the heart attack. If my wife hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be writing this. My lawyer said my wife would have had a case if I had died, but since I lived there wasn’t much I could do.

I could write a book not only about the incompetent medical service I received but also about the incompetent billing department at the hospital and at Aetna. It took my wife almost a year to sort through the mess and deal with all of the multiple billing, billing errors, etc and finally reach a settlement that cost us dearly.

Because back then I couldn’t afford the open heart operation I really needed due to (in my opinion) Aetna screwing me on my policy, I still have partial blockage and now I can’t get insurance because of my pre-existing condition or, what insurance my wife can find is too expensive (we can’t afford it) and they still want to EXCLUDE my heart condition from the policy. That means, going forward, I will have to pay out of pocket for any health issues related to my heart. Right now Canada looks pretty good from where I’m at.

I didn’t want to have to discuss my health issues here in public, but since a certain person that has caused A LOT of stress to my heart in the past year took it upon himself, without my verbal or written permission, to write about my health on another web site, I felt I had to set the record straight.

Here’s to your health,

Paul A Christner

[mercguy]

There are some rumors going around about why I did not attend the DePue inaugural reunion. Believe me, there’s no place else on earth that I would rather have been this weekend. To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement.

The fact is, after my most recent doctor’s visit, it was decided that the heat & humidity plus the stress of traveling to DePue might be too much risk for me at this time.

A few years ago I had a minor heart attack. I thought I had insurance. While in the hospital, looking at hospital bills of possibly $150,000 or more, I found out that Aetna had changed the terms of my policy several months before and they would only pay $5000. Yes, you read that correctly, a measly five thousand dollars.

I was never notified by Aetna of the policy change. Later I found out that they didn’t even HAVE to notify me by mail of the change. I also found out that this was “legal” in 34 states at the time - now it’s more. You only think you have health insurance. Try using it!

To add insult to injury, the 1st night in the hospital they almost killed me by giving me too much nitro, causing my blood pressure to drop too low. They didn’t even have a blood pressure monitor on me, the guy with the heart attack. If my wife hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be writing this. My lawyer said my wife would have had a case if I had died, but since I lived there wasn’t much I could do.

I could write a book not only about the incompetent medical service I received but also about the incompetent billing department at the hospital and at Aetna. It took my wife almost a year to sort through the mess and deal with all of the multiple billing, billing errors, etc and finally reach a settlement that cost us dearly.

Because back then I couldn’t afford the open heart operation I really needed due to (in my opinion) Aetna screwing me on my policy, I still have partial blockage and now I can’t get insurance because of my pre-existing condition or, what insurance my wife can find is too expensive (we can’t afford it) and they still want to EXCLUDE my heart condition from the policy. That means, going forward, I will have to pay out of pocket for any health issues related to my heart. Right now Canada looks pretty good from where I’m at.

I didn’t want to have to discuss my health issues here in public, but since a certain person that has caused A LOT of stress to my heart in the past year took it upon himself, without my verbal or written permission, to write about my health on another web site, I felt I had to set the record straight.

Here’s to your health,

Paul A Christner



Paul, I am truly sorry to hear about your condition. I hope you are able to work through it all. Best Wishes!

Daren Goehring


PS: DON'T let that "other guy" get to you..........just move on and concentrate on your health.........

[fbref5269]

paul,

i know you wanted to be there, but you need to take care of your health. the stress the 'other guy' is putting on you is not good. like daren said, and i agree, you got to get past that. i know what that kind of stress will do. don't stoop to his level. seems each time he speaks he makes a fool of himself. look what happened with jerry's f looper. people out here know you and know you are a man of character. paul, don't let him get you down. hang in there. i'll keep you in my prayers.

frank novotny

[David_L6]

Paul,

Take care of yourself and don't worry about what the "other guys" say.

Those of us that have seen you at your best (like when you told a 13/14 year old kid to come on in to your pits so that he could get some decent pictures or when you spent hours on the phone with that same "kid" 4 or 5 years later trying to help him get competitive in B Mod Hydro) know that you would have been in DePue this weekend if at all possible.


David

[mercmack]

In Know What Your Going Thru, Had The Same Insurance Thru My Air Force Retirement Package..gess What I Got The Same Treatment..my Wife At The Time Was Only In The Hospital About Three Days In Intensive Care Unit Till She Passed Away..and The Bill Was Out Of Sight..(not Going Into Any Tetails) I Ended Selling The House And Goiing Backruped To Get It All Covered..
Thanks Goodness Its Medicare And A Difference Insurance Co (trycare For Life) That Covers All Or It'd Be In The Same Fix..
Some Reason All Wifes Seem To Need More Fixing Than Me.:(

[Tim Chance]

Paul, I am so sorry you couldn't make it. It was a great time. I spent some time talking to David, I can't believe how much he looks like your dad. He got his special HQ before you, but I'm putting yours in the mail today. Charley Bradley lifted one of the sides and Gene East cranked me each time and I finally got the 250cc Kawasaki to light up the third heat. Need to do a little work (a lot of work) on my starts.

Anyhow, if you can't come to me, I'll have to come to you. Next Spring: Inverness, and Lake Whales with my brand new Krier 250 Runabout. You can pull the rope. Take care, Tim

[David Mason]

Sorry about the situation, I was looking forward to meeting you personally, but I understand. What is as bas is the fact that you are not alone in they insurance is handled. It is sad that it is this way today. Seems not right to me.

Hang in there, and perhaps you can make DePue next year.

[Karen Cadle]

Paul,
It breaks my heart. I've experienced very unfair health insurance nightmares myself. I had to file 5 appeals to Cigna on behalf of my mother during her end stage emphasema care. I'm now helping my brother Mike coordinating my Grandpa (Ross Gibson's) Hospice Care at the nursing home in LaHarpe.

If I need to pull a "Scarlett O'Hara" for you buddy, color me there! I missed seeing you. God Bless.

Karen Cadle

[Original Looper 1]

To Daren, David W, Frank, Dwayne, Michael, Tim C, David M & Karen Cadle:

Thanks to all of you plus everyone else that has sent me emails and called regarding my health issues. Your support and concern is most appreciated.

Karen, your friendship will always have a special place in my soul.
I am hanging in there for now. If and when I need your further support, rest assured that I will let you know. Thank you very much for your offer & God bless you too for being such a compassionate and unselfish person.

We've been occupied this week with work but I hope to scan and post some pictures soon that my buddy Dick Ollhoff sent me of his Looper collection and also pictures from Dick Austin of his fabulous 6 cylinder Loopers. Stay tuned.

thanks,

Paul A Christner

PS: I'd also like to give a special thanks to 2 racing friends out west for their generous offer. We'll be talking.

[Karen Cadle]

Paul,
Just a quick hello and to let you know I'm still here for you anytime. Also a bit of good news... (can't we all use some of that) Grandpa Ross is holding "steady" for now. He will be 93 tomorrow, only by the Good Lord's grace and I'm hittin' the road in about an hour to be there for his birthday tomorrow! I'm going to try and insert a photo I took of him after I left DePue and headed to Macomb. He has on his Tim Chance Race Team hat and was truly saying, "Damn Ugly Boat Tim" as I took it. I'll keep everyone posted on his health and update ya'll with pictures. He absolutely comes ALIVE when ever boat racing is mentioned. I decorated his room with all the pictures I took at DePue (Tim's bright and colorful Pit Site absolutely makes him laugh) WHAT A GIFT!

Much Love,
Sis

[Original Looper 1]

Karen,

I saw your post and called Grandpa Ross at the nursing home on his birthday night to wish him all the best. My dad had the highest regard for Grandpa Ross and always looked forward to his visits (along with Bill) at the shop in Quincy. I also look up to him and consider him a perfect gentleman.

I love your pictures. Thanks for posting them. Hope you had a wonderful birthday party with Grandpa.

Stay in touch,

Paul A Christner


ps: Birds of a feather always pink flamingo together........