Nurse Case Manager

[queenbee]

I just got a call from a NCM who informs me that (after 10 months)
she is going to help me get treated.
She wanted to come to my home _ I said no- I am not dragging this into my home.
She then wanted to meet me 1/2 hour before my next appt.
I told her this is not a social event and that I barely get to the dr and back.
She started to get uppity- She asked me a lot of questions over the phone- She said she wouldn't get a report about me from ic for about two weeks.
I only answered medical like dr name and stuff like that.
Its funny how when they have to start paying benefits the ic now wants to get this done.
She is pushing for the shoulder surgery to be done first even though DR says neck should be done first.
Does anyone know how to handle these nurses ( if she really is a nurse).
I am in Maryland if I don't cooperate will it hurt my case?
She acts like she is my new found friend-
She is going to my next appt she wants to meet me and give me a chance to tell her how I feel. I told her my appts were not social engagements and that I don't deal with my life out in the open in a Public Dr. Office. She said we will just sit in a corner and chit- chat.
I think when I heard chit-chat I saw red.
My Dr. is not the type to deal with them- he already told me 7 months ago he was sick and tired of being bothered by them.
I am afraid he will take it out on me somehow.

I havent got another attorney yet because things started moving once I fired the other one. I think I will pursue this now and if the new attorney just deals with the Nurse it will be worth it.

[jayne]

you tell her you dont want or need a pushy NCM you dont need a new best friend and you dont need someone to stab you in the back...if she is willing to work WITH you fine you two can work together the first time she is counter productive to what YOU FEEL is best for you you will make sure she is not allowed near you and you will ask the doc NOT TO SPEAK to her..........she can help or break your case....no idle chit chat the sweet thang will use it to screw you to the wall......My lawyer fired mine when she started to make my DR appts fit her times not mine and I had to travel 3 1/2 hrs to get to one...she would cancel my appts and make new ones calling me the nite before.....I spoke to the DOC office and they told the lawyer they would not honor her requests any longer..... I would make or break my appts no one else and that they had had it with her and wouldnt speak with her...so he fired her

[Still in Limbo]

The Very First thing My Attorney did when I Hired Him was to send a Certified Letter to My NCM forbidding Her to have anymore Contact with Me, all Correspondence had to go through Him! He made Her Life soo Miserable, the NCM's Co. no longer has anything to do with My Case! It's been over Two Years now, and I have received No Problems from them. And You may, by Law, ask Her NOT to come into the Exam Room with You, You have the Right to Privacy!! I'm sure there are Good Ones Out there, but remember, they work for the i/c, and that's where their Loyalty Lies!!

[Calico]

The NCM I dealt with early in my case was just like that. Wants to chit chat and learn all about you, then go into your appointment with you. I learned enough from this board that was a no-no. She did talk to the doc afterward but he knew all about them and who they worked for. Eventually she went away. As others have said they are usually out to save IC money. I'm with Limbo and Jayne on this one. Remember only you know what is best for you as far as pain levels, treatment and such. Sounds like you dealt with her pretty well. Attorney can probably advise you more. Good Luck.

[Bummer Knees]

In Kansas once you have an attorney the NCM is out of the picture.

Before I got wise and hired my attorney the NCM went with me to one of my appointments and she and the doctor argued thru-out my appointment.
I sat there and the doctor walked out of the room, never treated me that day.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

NCM are not (Doctor's) remember that.

[dsny1mom]

QueenBee

I agree with what everyone has said so far.

Couple of additional tips....

1) Check your WC laws for your state. Here in Illinois you don't have to have any contact with a NCM unless you want to, and it will have no effect on your case what so ever.

2) There is no reason to get chummy with the NCM. The main reason most want to get close to you is to try and control your care and will use innocent comments on your part against you, if they can.

3) Do not let them make your appts for you. If you do the next thing you know is your appts will be scheduled for their convience not yours.

4) If I was you I'd share nothing with the NCM. If they ask you how you are feeling just tell them all questions about your care need to be directed to your DR.

5) When in the waiting room sit anywhere but next to them, this cuts down any cahnce for them to pester you with questions that you shouldn't have to answer, unless you want to.

6) Be nice but be clear that in no way do you need or want their help.

I'm sure there is a reason they have said they want one surgery before the other, and that their desire is opposite of your DR's wishes. Be careful and listen to your Dr only.

dsny1mom

[dsny1mom]

QueenBee

I agree with what everyone has said so far.

Couple of additional tips....

1) Check your WC laws for your state. Here in Illinois you don't have to have any contact with a NCM unless you want to, and it will have no effect on your case what so ever.

2) There is no reason to get chummy with the NCM. The main reason most want to get close to you is to try and control your care and will use innocent comments on your part against you, if they can.

3) Do not let them make your appts for you. If you do the next thing you know is your appts will be scheduled for their convience not yours.

4) If I was you I'd share nothing with the NCM. If they ask you how you are feeling just tell them all questions about your care need to be directed to your DR.

5) When in the waiting room sit anywhere but next to them, this cuts down any cahnce for them to pester you with questions that you shouldn't have to answer, unless you want to.

6) Be nice but be clear that in no way do you need or want their help.

I'm sure there is a reason they have said they want one surgery before the other, and that their desire is opposite of your DR's wishes. Be careful and listen to your Dr only.

dsny1mom

[vickinat]

Queenbee:

I agree with everyone about not having anything to do with the NCM. I had one and later after she caused me so many problems, I called a few lawyers (this was before I had one), and asked if I had to allow her to talk to the doctor or to be at any appointments. He told me that (in Pa.) you absolutly don't have to deal with them. From his suggestion, I wrote a letter revoking her authorization that I signed at the beginning of my claim, I also put in there that she was no longer allowed at any appointments, or to have any verbal communication with any person treating me. I mailed this to everyone who did any treatment of me including the PT, and the Ins. Adjuster. She received reports, which is good enough. Then when I got a lawyer, he also sent letters out and the W/c no longer goes thru me, but thru him.

It wouldn't hurt to just call a few lawyers and ask, they ussually don't charge for a consultation. My adjuster originally told me that I had to cooperate with my NCM, to get treatment at the correct places and to help my claim go thru. I wished I had a lawyer from the beginning, I would have never had to go thru the things that the NCM pulled.

Good luck to you.
Vickie

[CRABBY]

very informative, I've saved this page just in case!!! thanks all sound advise