In this episode of our Ask the Coach series, Tami answers a question sent in from a listener: Should I go outside my insurance to get fibromyalgia treatment?

Many fibromyalgia patients who are struggling to feel better focus on what their insurance will provide for them. The reality is that no matter how good your doctor is, or how good your insurance coverage is, there will be things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket if you want to feel your best. This may mean adjusting your expectations and re-prioritizing how you’re spending some of your finances to focus more on your health.

Tami also introduces the Sherri Little Foundation, a non-profit organization created to provide micro-grants of $1,000 or less to chronic pain patients for things that insurance doesn’t cover, such as medical equipment, travel to see specialists, treatments, and more.

The Sherri Little Foundation will begin awarding their first grants in 2020.

Key Points

• You need to do what it takes to get yourself feeling better.
• If you have a health care savings account or flex spending account, you can use pre-tax money to buy things that would not be covered under insurance.
• If the ultimate goal is to feel your best, what are you willing to do to get there?
• No matter how good your doctor is, there are still things you’re going to have to pay for out of pocket if you really want to get better.
• We need to adjust our expectations and realize that it’s going to take an investment of money, time, energy, and effort to get better.

 

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Get a free copy of Tami’s book,Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books
• Pain Warriors documentary on Amazon (Affiliate link)
• Sherri Little Fibromyalgia Coaching Scholarship
• Sherri Little Foundation, Inc.

 

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 23, Counseling, Coaching, and Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Robin Pfaff