Haha! My doctor just "vetoed" the bean counter's directive regarding

my access to the doc.

I did not have health insurance for about 2 years. During that time, I had to go see the doc for a couple of things. Because I have been a patient at this medical facility for a long time, they were cool with me making payments on the cost of the visits.

In the past year, my income took a huge dive, so I wasn't able to pay much monthly to the clinic. I have not felt well for the past week; feels like a respiratory infection, which, when I ignored one in the past, made me extremely ill. So, I made an appointment with my doc today. I got there, and the person at the front desk said that before I could see the doctor, I had to go up to the financial services office (um, why didn't they mention that when I called for the appointment??? I was close to running late for the appointment as it was).

So okay, I go up there and talk to Ms. BeanCounter. She was nice, she didn't look down on me or anything, but she said I still had an outstanding balance of $225. I told her I knew I still owed them money, but explained that I had not been able to pay much a month, because for the past 6 months or so, my income as been between $1000 and $1500 A MONTH. Doesn't go very far. I had $10 above what I had to pay for today's co-pay, so I gave her that, and said I would call her to let her know what I could pay next month.

She said, okay, but you need to know you will have to have that paid off before you can see the doctor again (after today's appointment).

Well, I do have a respiratory infection and sinusitis, so my doc gave me an Rx for an antibiotic, and said she wanted to see me back in a month. I know I won't have that bill paid off by then, so I told her what Ms. BeanCounter had told me. She just looked at me, smiled, and said, "Call her and tell her you'll send her $5 a month. I'll see you in four weeks." I make my appointments directly with my doctor's assistant, and she will know that she is not to refuse to make an appointment for me.

I think this may be an exception in light of what a lot of people may have gone through, or be going through, but damn, I love my doc! The well-being of her patients is the most important thing to her.

if she doesn't bring in enough money.

That's the way it is in medicine these day for salaried docs.

The clinic is very patient-oriented, and while of course they want to collect their fees, they aren't going to turn someone away who is having some financial difficulties.

integrity out there... Good on your Doc, and lets hope that some others spring forth...

ww

Sometimes I wonder how many doc's have had to put at least part of their integrity in their back pocket, because of the the pressure to get 'em in, get 'em out, (the patients) like they are working some sort of assembly line, and their primary job is to maximize profits.

your doc is compassionate. I hope it all works out; when you pay $5 a month, you're paying. Your doc is wise.

:hug:

I know she deserves to get paid, and the clinic has expenses, but it IS nice that overall, the patients come first!

:hug:

I have (very intentionally) had a woman doc for many years. I feel far more comfortable and, frankly, more care and compassion from women docs than from men. When I had my recent heart attack, the male 'house' cardiologist who had weekend duty could only be described as 'asshole'.

My dentist is a woman, too. So was the oral surgeon, who's services I recently needed.

So's my (company's) lawyer.

So are my business partners.

So is our vet.

So is my eye doc.

There are, of course, caring docs of both genders. I just find that choosing a woman provider raises your chances of finding one.

but I did have a doc when I was growing up who was the epitome of compassion and caring. He literally saved my life when I was 3 months old, and treated me for that particular condition until he passed away, shortly after I graduated from high school. In the summer between my sophmore and junior years in high school, I needed some additional surgery (this was in the early 70's). The insurance company did not want to pay for it, said it wasn't absolutely necessary. That wonderful man went to bat for me big time, and persuaded the insurance company to pick up the tab (minus deductible, of course).

Knowing that you matter to your doctor, or at least your maximum well-being matters to them, means so much.

My doc has also done that for me, when I've had to take some meds that I couldn't afford.

Things like that are definitely compassion in action.

I'm glad your parents had such a great doctor.

:hug:

I said in one of my post's (and stand by it here) that a women should be examined by a female doctor and also interviewed by a female investigator and I stand by that...

Most men (and I am one) would not like to be examined by a female doctor or interviewed by a female investigator... So this to me is very important in your story....

Your doctor knows you, and therefore should be the one to identify with you and your needs...

ww

Were I to be raped, there is no way I would want a male examining me, nor interviewing me. I don't even want a male physician doing my yearly pelvic exams. Not because I think their perverts or anything; it's just not something I'm comfortable with. (Hell, it's not the funnest thing I could think of doing, with with having a female physician.....).

:shrug:

If so, yes, she is. And as I said in the OP, she was really nice, polite, didn't treat me badly. But when I explained to her what my financial situation is (and I have been making small payments to them), that's when she said that I couldn't see my doc for a follow up until the rest of the $225 was paid. But the doc's assistant said that it was up to the doc whether I could see her or not, and the doc confirmed that.

insurance and government regulations. Most of the doctors that I know are truly remarkable people.

Both my sisters work in a hospital in Oregon (and mom worked there before she retired). One of my sisters sets up operating trays and then sterizes them after the procedures; the other sister schedules procedures and has to deal with insurance companies all the time. They see, particularly the sis who does the scheduling, the kind of crap the insurance companies try to pull to avoid paying for things. They adore the docs who work at that hospital (I know a few of them, and they ARE great people), and get frustrated with the system.

I have urged them both to see Sicko when it hits their town. I've seen it, and it really has a powerful message.

rest of us to try and keep their sanity in a world gone mad by big corporations and big drug manufacturers.

ww

if they know what their patient needs, it can be shown objectively that the patient needs it, and yet the insurance company just wants to play games, and deny and delay as long as possible approving some procedures and meds.

I have a client who has some mental health issues. I am a voc rehab counselor, and deal with folks injured on the job. The mental health issues are not part of the industrial injury, but when this man went to a pain management program, and they started weaning him off the narcotics he was on (and he did not have access to alcohol), it was discovered by the treating physician and psychologist at the clinic that this man was not only very depressed, but was also bipolar. It had been hidden by the meds and alcohol before that.

Even if a mental health condition is not part of a worker's comp claim (and they seldom are), doctors and voc counselors can ask that the worker been seen by a mental health specialist for an evaluation, and the Dept. will pay for it, and for meds while their WC claim is still open. We call it "aid to recovery", which it is. If someone is experiencing deep depression, or some other mental health condition that is untreated, they are less likely to follow through on appointments to see their doctors about their work-related injuries, less likely to consistently attend physical therapy if they are supposed to, and, if they need to be retrained for a new job, VERY unlikely to successfully complete that program.

Yes, the meds would no longer be paid for when the claim was ready to close, but if the Dept. (of Labor and Industries) will pay for them while the claim is open, it gives the doctor, the worker, and the voc counselor a chance to look at other options for the worker to be able to continue accessing the meds after the claim is closed, if the worker doesn't get a job right away that offers insurance.

My client to whom I referred above was on meds for the depression and bipolar disorder. He was in school, learning a new job, and doing well. Great attendance, great grades, and then things started falling apart. HE started falling apart. Attempted suicide several times, ended up in the psych unit of one of our hospitals, etc. I called the claims manager at Labor and Industries, and asked why she had stopped his meds. She said, "Well, we only authorize them for 90 days." WTF???? That may be (MAY be) the official stance of the Department, but in the 17 years I have done this work, I have never, ever had a claims manager just cut someone off. Vocational counselors are supposed to be objective, and not advocate for the worker, the employer, the doc, or anyone else with a stake in the claim, but sometimes, you just have to say, fuck that noise. Especially when the well-being of a person is at stake, and MOST ESPECIALLY if their lives are at stake.

I couldn't get that CM to budge, but the worker's claim was shortly thereafter transferred to another claims manager, who reauthorized the meds, and this man is once again functioning very well.

I'll tell you though. I was very frustrated, not to mention scared that my client would succeed in killing himself.

I am happy that you found a good doctor. I know how it is to not have health insurance and be sick. I haven't had insurance for two years, and going to school full-time and working 3/4 time doesn't leave much to pay doctor expenses with. I was experiencing severe pelvic pain a few weeks ago and after having a pelvic exam and an ultrasound I found out I have a large complex cyst on my ovary. It may go away, but my doctor is concerned that it might twist over my ovary (which will cut off the blood circulation to the organ). He wants to do laproscopic surgery and remove it, but I can't afford the $10,000 it costs for the procedure. I will have insurance when I transfer to the University this fall (I'm automatically covered), but it will only cover about 1/3 of the surgery. I just hope the stupid cyst goes away on its own - I just really can't afford this right now (both time wise and financially). I'm hoping that this clinic will allow me to pay off the charges I've already acrued in monthly payments... otherwise I just don't know how I will be able to do it ($500 for the ultrasound alone).

I'm glad you're getting the care you need. We all deserve a better health care system.:hug:

--Belle

I hope it goes away on it's own, too. People should NOT be denied healthcare because they don't have a lot of money. We DO deserve a better health care system.

I'll keep you in my thoughts, and hope that the cyst goes away by itself. :hug:

i had a doctor that did`t care as long as you paid something and that`s one of the resons he was voted the best family doctor in illinois one year. he even made house calls and gave away thousands in presents and food at christmas and thanksgiving to those who had very little.

Wow. Just, wow. You and his other patients (and those that benefited from his holiday giving) were so fortunate to have had your lives touched by him. :thumbsup:

yes in his office with no charge for the "operation". several days later he retired because he was stricken with pancreatic cancer. my family misses him because he treated us as his friend and was there when we needed him...ya not many like him left

with it. Sad, sad, sad. :cry:

and :woohoo: for your doctor. See, some do still care about their patients!

I loved my former doc too, but she decided to stay home for a few years after she had her son, so I was assigned this doc. I was a bit wary at first (it's difficult to change when you have a good connection with your doc), but I lucked out twice, because I really like the new doc too! That clinic knows how to attract good peoples!



:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

She refused to take our new insurance (which covers little to nothing, with only a few convenient doctors). You're very lucky indeed!

Hope the crud goes away quickly and that you're back to your old self in no time. Have you considered working for Starbucks? :)