HSM Assisatance with Cancer Treatment

My wife and I attended the insurance meeting held on February 9, 2008 in Rochester, MN sponsored by Local 49. We learned about the Patient Advocacy program through Health Systems Management, Inc. The speaker encouraged members insured through the Union to contact Health Systems Management if they or their family members were dealing with a medical issue that seemingly was not being resolved after receiving medical care. The intention was that the Patient Advocacy program would help locate a doctor with experience dealing with whatever illness the member/family was facing.

I had been seeing a throat specialist at my local hospital since early July, 2007. He diagnosed me with a vocal cord granuloma. I was treated for eight months, with no signs of improvement. My father had died from cancer about the time the granuloma was diagnosed, and my wife was especially concerned about my condition. I decided to call Health Systems Management and requested help. The same day I phoned them, I was connected with the Mayo Clinic, and had an appointment scheduled within two weeks.

I saw Dr. Service (Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist) at Mayo. He examined me and told me that since I didn't fit the profile for a granuloma (non-smoker and I didn't abuse my voice), and I hadn't responded to the medication I'd been taking for nearly eight months, it was time to do a biopsy to determine if it was cancerous. On March 6, 2008 the granuloma was removed and a biopsy was performed. I am happy to report that it was not malignant.

I am very pleased with the help I received from Health Systems Management. Dr. Service told me he saw two people per week with the type of granuloma I had, and my previous doctor had only seen two in his career. What a relief to be able to locate a specialist that could finally get to the bottom of my condition.

I would recommend Health Systems Management to other Union Members in need of medical care and assistance. All it involved on my part was a simple phone call and that was well worth my time!