Insurance Lesson 101: Get Involved

One month ago, I went to the doctor about my back pain and it was determined that I would have a steroid injection. (That's right, a long needle poked into a joint in my back) It was scheduled for the 11th of April. Because of the great relaxing drugs I would receive and recovery time needed, both Steven (my handsome chiefer) and I took the day off of work.
At 4:00 pm on the 10th of April, I received a call from the doctor's office. They informed me that the pre-authorization for the procedure takes 7-10 days. Because the office did not call the insurance company until the DAY BEFORE, I would have to reschedule. I was furious to say the least.
So I called the insurance company myself. I explained to them that this had been scheduled for over two weeks, that Steven and I have both taken time off work, and above all I was in a lot of pain and did not want to reschedule. They told me there was nothing that could be done, but I insisted that there was. I did not take no for an answer.
The next morning at 7:00am, I received a call from the insurance company that the pre-authorization had been pushed through and everything would proceed as scheduled.

LESSON 101: As the patient, get involved with the insurance company yourself when things are not happening in a manner that pleases you. I work with insurance companies every day for my job and have always known that the patient's involvement is important. I did not fully realize just how much of a difference it can make until I was the involved, persistent, and perhaps even pushy patient.