It all starts with the fact that I have a simple but fairly weird name, but still, you wouldn’t think that the name Parl could create such a stir in the land of insurance claims.  I vaguely remember filling out all the paperwork and I don’t recall my handwriting being to terribly horrible, but I do tend to be a fairly biased individual.  After all the medical procedures were taken care of, I went home thinking all would be well.

 After a couple of weeks, I received a letter from our insurance provider.  It was very amusing.  It opened with “Dear Pearl.”  Right off I knew I was in for a treat on this deal.  The letter proceeded to explain in a partially diplomatic way and in semi politically correct terms the fact that they would unfortunately not be able to cover any of my claims.  I was a bit taken back at first, until I began to read the reasons why.

 ”We are unfortunatly unable to cover any of your claims due to your homosexual relationship which is illegal in the state of Utah.”

It was classic.  People have butchered my name before, but never sacrificed it before the great gender gods.  Needless to say, we were able to work it all out, but not until we spent quite a few hours on the phone with the Insurance Provider and the office manager at the doctor’s practice.  I know she had to resubmit forms and spent a great deal of time on the whole issue as well.

Turns out that whoever processed my form figured that no one could possibly have a name like Parl so they changed it to Pearl and of course there is no way that a Pearl could be a male either so they changed my gender as well.  Its all humurous now, but it was pretty amazing how such a few minor things on my patient forms and they’re improper interpretation cost so much time and energy.  Alas, I still haven’t taken the time to go get my name changed to something a bit simpler…. Al perhaps.  My fear would be that the state would mistake it for Allison.