[marty]

Here is what Blue Cross would rather spend their client's money on

http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2011/03/02/blue_cross_ceo_got_86m_in_exit_deal/?p1=Local_Links

In a statement yesterday, the insurer’s former chairman said for the first time that the board negotiated terms of Killingsworth’s departure — suggesting both sides thought it was time for him to leave.

The $8.6 million that Killingsworth, 58, took with him is a combination of the $273,040 salary he received for his 2 1/2 months at the insurer last year; a $922,480 bonus for his work in 2009; and $7.4 million in additional compensation, according to the regulatory filing. That additional money represents the severance and retirement payments that accrued over his six years at Blue Cross, including almost five years as chief executive. Much of the retirement pay had been reported previously.

But the $1.4 million severance paid out last year was less than half of what Killingsworth will eventually receive. The board of Blue Cross also agreed to pay him $1.8 million this year and $925,000 in 2012, bringing his total severance to more than $4 million, according to the insurer.

Wonder how many denials of service it takes to save $8.6 million for a golden parachute for a CEO they fired

[maxieboy]

 I look forward to the day when Jeff can walk out of the hospital and flip two birds to Blue Cross...

[frankw]

Sorry I haven't sent an update in a while. Jeff has been making slow and steady progress, he's eating real food now and feeding himself and his therapy has been going pretty well. I was kinda waiting for something big to report. Unfortunately I don't have anything like that to report right now.

At 2:00 AM Friday morning, Jeff's wife called to see if she could drop the kids off because Jeff had spiked a temperature and she was headed to MGH. Jeff's gall bladder was extremely inflamed and he was suffering from pancreatitis. They did a procedure to insert a drain in his gall bladder and they've removed a large amount if nasty fluid from it. He's starting to recover now from that infection. They'll likely remove his gall bladder when everything gets back to normal. And he'll remain at MGH for a little while. Where he goes after that is still to be decided. His time at Spaulding is likely through. Jeff's the family had been leaning towards a Neuro-Rehabilitation Center in Jeff's home town, but he needs to be medically stable to go to a facility like that. So, we'll have to wait and see.

On the up side, while at MGH they have stopped all of his meds except his anti-seizure meds. While the infection has him run down, he's still alert and talking, even without the neural stimulants they had him on.

 

More than ever, Jeff could use your positive thoughts and prayers.

[bluesman]

It's been a tough battle for Jeff but as always, he's in my thoughts.

Wishing all the best for Jeff and his family.

Thanks Frank! 

[Janis]

Come on, Jeff!
You've got to get out of that place for your own good.  Keep working hard to get back home and put this whole thing behind you!  We're rooting for you; you can do it!
Cheers,
    Janis

[hamiltont]

Thanks for the update Frank!!  This really has become a long road to recovery for Jeff, his family and friends! Following this has made me very, very thankful for what I have. Continued good thoughts & prayers for you Jeff!  Cheers!!!

[maxieboy]

My heart goes out to Jeff and his family. Continued thoughts and prayers from Michigan!

[euge]

Positive news! Except the cholecystitis (ouch!), but that hopefully should clear up with the stent placement.

Thoughts and prayers sent.

[frankw]

Jeff has been back at Spaulding since last Thursday. The BCBS insurance fight should be over, as he's now being covered by another provider. So, he'll likely be at Spaulding until he's ready to leave or he stops making progress. That's good news.

They're still treating him for his gall bladder infection, but he's winning that battle. This whole thing has probably set him back a few weeks or so. Thankfully he's now back to his daily OT, PT and Speech Therapy sessions and back to making small daily progress.

If you're local and you can make some time, try and get over to see him. These setbacks are obviously frustrating to all of us, but they must be even more frustrating to Jeff. Visiting him is a great way to encourage him an show him how many people care for and are rooting for him.

As always, please keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts and prayers. And if its something you can manage, some new donations wouldn't hurt either.

[bluesman]

Glad to hear he's winning the battle.

Also happy to see an update on Jeff's progress. I was thinking about him as I was searching the forum and discovered a Black IPA recipe thread where Jeff was posting. His wit and sarcasm are missed here. I wish the best for him.

Thanks for the update Frank!

[redbeerman]

Glad to hear he's winning the battle.

Also happy to see an update on Jeff's progress. I was thinking about him as I was searching the forum and discovered a Black IPA recipe thread where Jeff was posting. His wit and sarcasm are missed here. I wish the best for him.

Thanks for the update Frank!

A big +1.  As always, Jeff is in our thoughts and prayers.

[euge]

Thanks for the update Frank. Hopefully he'll be able to go home soon.

[hamiltont]

Thanks for the update Frank.  Good thoughts & prayers still heading Jeff's way.  Cheers!!!

[BrewingRover]

Glad to hear he's winning the battle.

Also happy to see an update on Jeff's progress. I was thinking about him as I was searching the forum and discovered a Black IPA recipe thread where Jeff was posting. His wit and sarcasm are missed here. I wish the best for him.

Thanks for the update Frank!

Yeah, it's always jarring to see a post of his when looking at an older thread. I hope he's back posting soon.

It sounds like he's still making progress and thanks for keeping us up to date, Frank.

[maxieboy]

Continued thoughts and well wishes from Michigan!