topic Re: Gifting Help Please in Community Chat

Gifting Help Please

Coquille — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 00:59:06 GMT

My doctor's nurse, got an prior authorization for an extremely hard to get medical autho. for me out of the kindness of her heart. I didn't even know she was doing it. It's usually a three or four step process because of appeals. The girls in the office have tried before but to no avail and they gave up. I know how hard the Insurance companies can be because I managed a doctor's office for 18 years. The medication can only be bought directly from the company. It can't be bought through any pharmacy. The cost, $1755.00 self pay. After the autho, I got it for $500.00 about 2 months ago and now I am in the catastrophic coverage stage and I get it for under $100.00. I get it 4 times a year. The medication has changed my life. Dealing with Insurance, is not her job at all!

I don't know her personally so I'm lost, as to what to get her for a thank you. She's saved me thousands a year for this year and next. I thought I would get her either a Visa or Amex Gift Card but how much do I put on it? I thought maybe $500.00 or more. I called immediately when I found out and thanked her. If I could find out her favorite restaurant, I would get her gift card for that but no one knows and they don't want to ask her. She's the head honcho and I think they're a little afraid of her.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Have a great weekend!

Re: Gifting Help Please

grandma r — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:12:31 GMT

How kind of you for even thinking of gifting her!!! Very few patients ever express their gratitude.

I would write a lovely thank you card to her and also let her employers know about her efforts to help you. As for a gift, better check to see if her employers would allow that. Unfortunately, some of them don't. However, a beautiful floral arrangement would be lovely!

Again, I think it is so nice of you to show your appreciation. You are a lovely person!

Re: Gifting Help Please

fthunt — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:24:22 GMT

I think you need to re-think the thank you gift. Obviously she went out of her way to help you & you appreciate it; but----a huge $$ amount just isn't appropriate. First - she probably would refuse it and you would be confused and embarrassed to be refused. . How about sending her a nice dish garden from a A+++ florist? She could take it home or keep at the office.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Catty2 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:28:22 GMT

If her office would allow you to give her a gift card, I would enclose it in a nice card, along with a pretty floral arrangement. Also, i think $50 would be appropriate. That was very kind of her to do that for you.

Re: Gifting Help Please

blackhole99 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:35:14 GMT

I think she may be able to accept a monetary gift if she's working for a private doctor and he allows it. That being said, I doubt if she would accept that kind of a gift as a thank you. I would buy gift cards for coffee for all the nurses and let it go at that, you don't want to start a rivalry in that office.

Re: Gifting Help Please

VenturaHighway — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 01:54:58 GMT

@CoquilleI would send a large fruit and cheese basket to the office. Then everyone could enjoy it.

Re: Gifting Help Please

luvmybeetle — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:02:55 GMT

@Coquille

I had a similar experience and I took a plant to the doctor's office and gave to the nurse. I thought that would be good since something large would be too overly done. You don' want to be rejected and embarrassed. Nor do you want to embarrass her.

Re: Gifting Help Please

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:07:30 GMT

I would bring something into the office like a fancy fruit basket or a tray of fancy bakery cookies.Don’t give her a gift card because you may put her in an awkward position.

Re: Gifting Help Please

lolakimono — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:11:19 GMT

@grandma r wrote:
How kind of you for even thinking of gifting her!!! Very few patients ever express their gratitude.

I would write a lovely thank you card to her and also let her employers know about her efforts to help you. As for a gift, better check to see if her employers would allow that. Unfortunately, some of them don't. However, a beautiful floral arrangement would be lovely!

Again, I think it is so nice of you to show your appreciation. You are a lovely person!

I agree with @grandma r. I would also suggest that you use https://www.healthgrades.com/ or your insurance company's website to leave a favorable review about your doctor's staff and their willingness to go above and beyond for your care.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Coquille — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:38:38 GMT

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I know the doctor for 35 years and he does allow gifts. To see him, one has to wait 2-3 hours. I know, I know that's ridiculous but that's a fact. I usually wait about 45 minutes if that and that is because of her. It's his huge practice and she's his nurse aside from being in charge of other aspects of the practice.. She recently told me to let her know as soon as I come into the office. It could be professional courtesy, I don't know.

Working for a doctor's office is usually a thankless job in many respects. The entire staff in any doctor's office, really deserve kudos! Anyone working in the medical field in any job,deserves kudos. That's just my opinion. There are soo many people and soo little time to see everyone.

Thanks again, everyone. Great suggestions.

Re: Gifting Help Please

BirkiLady — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:56:07 GMT

@Coquille Please don't give monetary gifts. A plant or fruit basket or something from a deli for the entire staff is much more appropriate. You don't want to bring too much attention to the "head hancho" or cause problems for her or her co-workers. She probably cannot do for all patients what she has done for you.

Keep it quiet and simple. Write a thank you note. That's what is expected and appreciated. She's well-paid, I'm sure. Your heart was in the right place . . . just a little overboard! Save the extra money that she has saved you. Everyone will be happier in the long run. BTW: Congratulations on saving so much money! Now, invest it wisely.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Tique — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 03:05:23 GMT

@Coquille I agree with the statements already made about how thoughtful you are. This nurse did an extraordinary thing for you so naturally you want to go beyond the norm for her. I would think about it for a few days. Take your time and you'll come up with the right thing. For you and for her. Whatever it is, make sure to include a handwritten card. When people do these kinds of things, it's often because they recognize the specialness of the person for whom they are doing them. So happy this medication will make your life better.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Daisy Sunflower — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 03:47:58 GMT

I wouldn't give her anything -- and I wouldn't bring food or flowers either. You already called to thank her.

Re: Gifting Help Please

janeec — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 03:20:15 GMT

Your appreciation is the greatest gift you could give. Nurses do not expect gifts. A note to her employer is a great start if you must give her something. A note to her as well. As a nurse, we always liked candy for the group. You could attach a note saying you are grateful for those in the office who went out of their way to help you.

I am glad you had a good experience.

Re: Gifting Help Please

GenXmuse — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 03:20:48 GMT

I would go with flowers.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Sooner — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 04:04:02 GMT

I would send her a dozen red (or pink!) roses in a big vase to the office! With a lovely card enclosed. I think that is a spectacular statement and I don't know who wouldn't be thrilled and touched by that. That lets everyone know how much she did foryou and how thankful you are.

It's always exciting to get flowers at work.

Re: Gifting Help Please

drizzellla — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 04:36:37 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:

Keep it quiet and simple.

I think BirkiLady stated it well. Where I used to work we had to sign a form about accepting gifts. We were only allowed to accept a small denomination. Each place of employment is different. But you don't want to cause a stir with the rest of the office, including the Doctors. And even if you try and keep it discreet, you never know who might find out.

Please be careful. And I am thrilled she was able to help you out.

Re: Gifting Help Please

NYC Susan — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 04:46:52 GMT

@Coquille wrote:
My doctor's nurse, got an prior authorization for an extremely hard to get medical autho. for me out of the kindness of her heart. I didn't even know she was doing it. It's usually a three or four step process because of appeals. The girls in the office have tried before but to no avail and they gave up. I know how hard the Insurance companies can be because I managed a doctor's office for 18 years. The medication can only be bought directly from the company. It can't be bought through any pharmacy. The cost, $1755.00 self pay. After the autho, I got it for $500.00 about 2 months ago and now I am in the catastrophic coverage stage and I get it for under $100.00. I get it 4 times a year. The medication has changed my life. Dealing with Insurance, is not her job at all!
I don't know her personally so I'm lost, as to what to get her for a thank you. She's saved me thousands a year for this year and next. I thought I would get her either a Visa or Amex Gift Card but how much do I put on it? I thought maybe $500.00 or more. I called immediately when I found out and thanked her. If I could find out her favorite restaurant, I would get her gift card for that but no one knows and they don't want to ask her. She's the head honcho and I think they're a little afraid of her.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
Have a great weekend!

I agree with those who said not to give her a gift card, or anything monetary. And certainly nothing anywhere near $500. She didn't help you save money so you could be extravagant in that kind of way. My suggestion is to send flowers with a nice, heartfelt note of thanks. (Something nice, but not over-the-top.) I would also be sure her employer knows that she went above and beyond for you, and that you're grateful.

Anything more might be embarrassing since I'm sure her feeling is that she simply was doing her job. (Even though it's not technically her responsibility, she is still part of the doctor's staff, and assisting patients is part of that.) Making too much of a fuss and calling too much attention to it is not a good idea, IMO.

She will be touched by even a small gesture. I understand your desire to go big, but I really think that could make things awkward for her, and have the opposite effect of what you're aiming for.

Re: Gifting Help Please

CelticCrafter — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 12:35:21 GMT

I think a thank you card would be enough.

IMO $500 is way too much. Flowers or a gift card for $25 would be more than enough if you feel you must gift her with something.

Re: Gifting Help Please

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 12:46:42 GMT

If it were me I would get her something she could keep and remember the wonderful deed she did for you. How about a piece of jewelry? A nice bracelet or a pair of earrings?