I got treated like a criminal at the doctors office today

[Trek234]

Medecine in this country is such a joke.

I went to the doctor today. Everything happened just like usual except when I got to the receptionist after I saw the doctor.

I got there and gave her all the papers the doctor gave me. She handed me my prescription and said "here your prescription is". She looked at a copy of the insurance card and said that it would be a $20 co-pay.

I told her I would go get my father in the waiting room and be right back. (I'm 18 years old.. I'm sure it's not exactly odd for people my age still in high school to have parents pay medical bills) So I turned and headed to the waiting room not 15 feet away. After about two seconds she yelled in a demanding/angry tone and said "Come back here. Give me that prescription back" She insisted I do so. She thought I was going to run off with out paying.

I guess people must run off a lot. After all I'm sure it's really hard to track people down when all you have to go on is a full name, address, phone number, copy of an insurance card, medical records, and finger prints.

So I gave it back to her and got my dad - something that took all but 20 seconds (literally) and didn't require me being treated like a thief in a room full of people. She then gave me the prescription back.

I must say it's rather disturbing to see that a co-payment of $20 is the deciding factor of rather you get medical treatment or not. God help them if they don't get $20. Must be the way they are celebrating all the money the recent passage of prop 12 here in Texas is going to "save" them.

Reminds me of a local news report I saw one day. There was a 6 year old who was in a lot of pain from some tooth problem. His mother took him a to a dentist who refused to treat him because she couldn't pay him. She then went to another doctor who was willing to do so for free. After that she went to a local news station that took cameras to both offices and did a report that slammed the evil doc and praised the other.

It's all about money with some of these "doctors". Makes me glad I voted no on prop 12.

Think about all the other people who don't have medical insurance in this country. Medical care should be a constitutional right in my opinion.

[Neecy]

1. hmmmm

You should have hacked up a big ol' goober on the scrip before you handed it back to her, or bled on it or something.

[Clete]

2. I agree on the constitutional right.

Most advanced industrial countries have access to medical care written in their constitutions as a human right. We should have such an ammendment too. It's too bad that the receptionist treated you so rudely. I would mention it to the Doctor. He probably isn't aware of her behavior and won't be unless you speak up.

[rfranklin]

4. Except that the doctor probably told her...

she would lose her job if anybody skips without paying.

In the offices of most dentists and doctors I visit, there is a very heavy emphasis on collecting the money up front or before you walk out the door. In years past I just said send me the bill and they did. (And I paid.) But a lot of people must not pay or can't pay. There should be universal health care. We could have had it instead of the tax cut for millionaires that Bush and the Republicans put through.

[Clete]

5. I was once one of those people that had to collect at

the window. You don't have to be rude about it. This situation should have been handled with a little diplomacy and respect for the patient's privacy.

[ikojo]

28. Many doctor's offices are owned by medical corporations

Most doctors are not the independent physicians of 20 years ago. While they still make very good coin, most doctors are employees now and responsible for bringing in the revenue. That is one reason visits are so quick and short.

I worked at a large university affiliated medical school and everytime a doctor would TWIP a bill (take what insurance pays) he/she was required to offset that with additional revenue. (FYI: Most of the TWIPPING I observed was done for friends of the doctor not out of concern for the patient. Most of the people who were TWIPPED could EASILY afford to pay what was not covered by insurance, but hey that's an entirely different thread...on how well off and well connected people manage to get many services free because they "know" people who know people.)

When I go see my doctor the first thing I am asked for is my insurance card (which is always copied) and the co-pay. This doctor's office requires payment up front. I am sure the receptionist is not taking orders from the doctor but from the company who employees both her and the physician.

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE NOW!!


edit: added info on TWIPPING

[sspiderjohn]

3. Have you ever had to apologize for your co's insurance plan?

We have a normal medical plan through my large local employer (state government), but apparently it's not good enough. I keep getting, "we don't see people with YOUR kind of insurance on Saturdays", and other "people with YOUR kind of insurance" derogatory remarks.

So what can I do? I have worked hard for a reputable company for years, as a benefit I have their insurance policy for my family, and that makes me a second class citizen? I feel like I have to apologize for going to see my doctor, since my insurance policy clearly doesn't pay what his time is actually worth, and so I'm causing him to lose money.

Anyone else with this problem?

[Malva Zebrina]

6. Probably a lot of Medicare patients have the same problem

I found I could not make an appointment with the MD ahead of time. I had to call on the same day that I wanted to make the appointment. Yup, believe it or not.

Both times I called, I was told there were no appointments, even though I called first thing in the morning almost as soon as the office was open.

Frustrated, I just wrote the doctor a letter and told her what I was doing about my diabetes--all she is good for at this point is orders for the lab work, prescriptions for the sticks for the home glucose monitors as far as I am concerned-- it is to the point where your own research is necessary if you do not have top medical insurance coverage. I expect soon that people will just be able to log in their symptoms on a computer site, get a diagnosis, and be able to purchase over the counter medications to treat themself.

[shimmergal]

32. You can already do this.

There are already sites where you can go online, get a diagnosis, then even get prescription drugs sent from an overseas pharmacy.


I've never tried one, but they may get more and more use if the medical establishment keeps raising prices and treating people shabbily as in the above cases. This route _does_ cost money too, but at least the insults don't come into play.

Are they a good idea, or dangerous? My guess is, a bit of both. Probably most of the time they work just fine (I _have_ read that the biggest part of the diagnosis is usually based on what the patient says about his/her symptoms). But it seems to me there are always cases that need an in-person examination.

Would appreciate some comments on this from people in the medical field.

[RobinA]

27. Yep,

I had a Dr. tell me in an accusatory tone of voice that my insurance doesn't pay very much. Like this is my fault. Plus, I had a very widespread insurance plan from a huge insurance company that 3/4s of the world in this area has.

I thought it was totally inappropriate.

[Demobrat]

7. At least you have insurance.

Have you tried to find a doctor lately? The first question they ask is what kind of insurance you have, and if you don't have insurance you don't get seen, period.

[cosmicdot]

8. "The first question they ask" -- isn't that disgusting

it's irks me to no end

shows we got our priorites backarseward

they system creates antagonism ~ negative stress ~ anxiety
and, those things aren't healthy!

[RobinA]

29. In Fairness

to Dr.s, most are not money-grubbing people-haters. The amount of money that they are reimbursed by insurance companies is quite low and often does not even cover the costs of the procedures that are done. They have to recover costs plus a reasonable profit where they can, hence the exhorbitant fees for telephone consults, office visits, record copying, etc. I'm not justifying nasty office staff, there is no excuse, but Dr.s are being hit from all angles, same as a lot of people who depend on The Man for their living.

[devinsgram]

11. Last week my husband was furious

after we went to see his doctor for his blood pressure medication. Now we are both on disability and we can't afford insurance so we have to pay for everything. Now he also has MD and so things are tough.

When we went to pay, the lady behind the desk told me it would be $70.00 for his 5 minute visit. My husband and I looked at each other and our mouths dropped open. The last time he was there, 6 months ago, it was $50.00 and the time before that it was $40.00.
I thought he was going to have a heart attack then and there.

As we walked out the door he said he'll never go back again.

We just can't afford that.

[Nikia]

14. My doctor's office is now charging $120

I heard this from a coworker with a live in uninsured boyfriend who decided to go to the coworker's doctor. This is what he was charged. It upsets me that the price is so outrageous because not so long ago an occaisional doctor's visit was affordable to many people without insurance. You got insurance because you were afraid that you might get in an accident or develop cancer and have costly medical bills. Now, you have costly medical bills if you get sick at all. It also bugs me because this medical group is the only place that my insurance will cover in town and many of my coworkers and I are not impressed by any of the doctor's who we can see (who would be cost $120 to see).

[prolesunited]

30. My guess is that

since you boyfriend is uninsured, he is paying a higher rate. Many doctors have tiered rates, giving discounts to those with insurance through pre-negotiated scales. Whenever I get my insurance statements, I see the price for service, minus a discount and then the amount the doctor was reimbursed.

It makes no sense that those who can least afford it have to pay the most.

[lapislzi]

9. In fairness to *some* doctors

My doctor is a total socialist. He admits it (one of the reasons I go to him). I have actually e-mailed him links to offshore sites for prescription drugs for his fixed-income patients.

So don't blame the doctors. Well, not all of them, at any rate. You should really be pointing your finger at the big, bloated corporate medical groups. More "for profit" nonsense where it doesn't belong. I'm not against my doctor making a few bucks. Hell, he's earned it. He or she probably sweated blood in medical school and residency.

If you hate insurance companies and HMOs, you can bet that the honest, caring doctors hate them more.

[JasonBerry]

10. I'm In Dallas (Lewisville) today!

That is just awful......it's a sick thing when as Ted Kennedy always says, "The state of ones health, depends on the size of their wealth."

You mentioned you are in Texas. I am in a hotel in Lewisville tonight! I was talking to some people on the plane about Prop 12. This whole North Dallas area is just so incredibly spread out - it goes on and on and on!

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Some doctors have forgotten their Hippocratic oath

My sister-in-law's mother is 1 of five surviving pancreatic cancer survivors in the U.S.. She's been in remission for 20 years or so and became extremely ill, went to the hospital to have test done and the doctors sent her home because her HMO didn't want to pay for her care and refused to pay for any test! She was told that she would have to wait until October 2, 2003 when her Medicare kicks in. This was 3 months ago! The lady has lost a ton of weight and weighs about 80 lbs. now. It's unethical, to say the least. The up side to the story...if there is one, she only has a few more weeks to wait until she can be admitted to a hospital, if she doesn't die before then. SOMETHING must be done about this. Money/HMO'S/Greed/unethical doctors

[Postman]

13. We need more 18 year-olds like you kid.....

This country will be handed down to your generation someday. What kind of society do you want to create? Don't let life turn you cold to idealistic dreams of a better society.

The propaganda of the right-wing culture we have will try and tell you we can't have all these things we want to make a better society. Don't believe it. If Canada can have a national healthcare system so can we. The Drug companies, the bought-and-paid-for politicians, the privatized for-profit healthcare system, all of them, will say it can't be done. Why? Because those at the top will no longer be raping the rest of us below them.

[populistmom]

15. It's unreal

My 8 year old son had an awful ear infection last week (on his birthday no less). $20 co-pay + another $20 generic prescription at the pharmacy. God forbid if all the kids get sick at once. And we are the lucky ones with decent insurance in this country. The system is screwed.

[leftofthedial]

16. I am so sorry that my generation is leaving your generation

with such a f***ed up country. And the healthcare system is the most regressive element of all.

I hope we can fix this for you and for my kids before I die.

[KoKo]

17. Hey, what happened to you was dreadful! Many only look at "co-pays" and

what your insurance programs says they get paid. It's become you are a "number" and not a person with a condition who deserves respect in your "time of need."

It happens to all of us. Even those who don't want to have to be on "co-pay" insurance programs.....but you are forced to. Most of the doctors today.....don't even want to take cash....they prefer the "co-pay" because it gives them discounts to jack up their fees with the providers. (I wont' get into that.....here.....but the whole system has gotten crazy and corrupt).

You were treated rudely......You have every right to be annoyed.......!!

[graham67]

18. ....

My brother just lost his job and his insurance. He's taking medication that costs $180 a month. The doctor not only saw him for free, but gave him all the samples he had in the office. They aren't all bad.

[ComerPerro]

19. Thats cool

That was very nice of the doctor.

[graham67]

20. Yeah....

I feel bad I've been calling him a quack for all these years. :evilgrin:

[dsc]

21. Several things

First she had no business being that rude to you. Sadly people feel they can do that to people your age with impunity. I doubt your dad would have been so treated.

Second, this isn't all the doctor's fault. It ia vastly harder for a doctor to collect than for other people. I certainly hate that medicine is dependent on wealth. I am uninsured and lower class so it really sucks for me. But I can't expect doctors to work for free either. I wouldn't do that. I don't know what else they can do but be hard on the intake. I am glad you got your script though.

[Habibi]

22. With all due respect to the receptionist,

nobody should be treated like that in a doctor's office.

If she's in fear of her job, there are ways to collect the money without making one feel like a criminal. "I'm so sorry, but would you mind returning that 'script until payment is made?"

Perhaps a simple, "There's no need to be rude," would have caused her to reconsider her approach.

Failing that, I might have a word with either the doc or the practice manager. Since you have insurance, you can still vote with your feet, and you should let them know that.

[ewagner]

23. The terrible triangle

I sell health insurance for a living.... and I have become aware of the terrible triangle. here's how it works.

Let's start with the docs...first there are too few of them because access to medical schools is tightly controlled AND scholarships are almost non-existant. Therefore it costs the docs a fortune to go to school and there are too few docs.

Then there's the insurance companies. Some make otns of money but not necessarily the ones involved in health insurance. Most of those are losing money because of the high costs of medical care and treatment charged by the docs. As some go out of business or abandon less lucrative markets, the cost of insuring the least healthy goes up and rates for everybody get higher.

So its the docs fault? Well, no. The docs claim they have to charge higher prices because of the soaring cost of medical malpractice insurance brought about by all those attorneys who sue for obscene amounts of money...which forces the medical liability insurance companies to charge even more obscene rates which in turn raise the cost of medical care.

So its the fault of the medical malpractice insurance companies? Well, no. its the lawyers according to them.

So its the fault of the lawyers? Well, no. According to the lawyers its both the docs and the insurance companies....because the claims of obscene settlements are all false and anecedotal.


blblbblblblbblblblbblblblbblblblblbblblblbl

I get dizzy just thinking about it.

[FlaGranny]

31. Doctors and insurance companies

Years ago, before HMO's and PPO's when you went to the doctor, it was probably the same doctor you had been seeing for years. These doctors got to know their patient's. I've had so many different insurance plans in the past 20 years, I cannot count them all. Nearly every time my company changes plans or I take a new job, I have to see a new physician. Now, none of my physicians know me. Just one more thing wrong with the system.

Studies have shown that malpractice suits have not increased over the years and that the payments for malpractice suits have not increased either. There was a link to studies posted here some months ago. About that malpractice - I know a lot of doctors, and the ones who have been sued many times seem to be the ones I like least.

When I was a kid, malpractice was something I never heard about. Maybe in the big city, but no one I knew ever thought about suing their physician. Possibly it was because you had been seeing the same doctor for years, enough to forgive him if he made a mistake and for him to forgive you if you couldn't pay your bill.

And one more thing I just thought of. You probably have to be close to my age to even know about this. When I was a kid and in my teens and 20s and went to the doctor, there was only the doctor in the office. Then the doctor got a nurse OR receptionist. As the years went by there was a nurse AND a receptionist. Then more time went by and there was a nurse, a receptionist, AND an insurance person. I have been to physicians offices where at least a half dozen employees are stumbling over each other. Many of those employees are there for one reason - dealing with insurance companies.

A large part of any physician's expense, in addition to their malpractice rates, is payroll for people who can deal with and know the rules of insurance companies. Insurance companies putting physicians through loops so the doctors can get their money.

INSURANCE COMPANIES: The problem. SOLUTION: Get rid of insurance companies in medicine.

Edit: changed title

[emad]

24. Doctors' receptionists - begat in hell by the devil himself.....

It's the same over here in the UK - the most pushy, sanctimonious, bossy know-it-alls ever created. I think they must be recruited solely on the basis of total lack of personal skills and with exceptional capacity to emit a dearth of empathy, courtesy and compassion.

[laylah]

25. How inappropriate!

Trek, a similar thing happened to me a few years back. This wench started berrating me in the midst of a full waiting room, about my $8.00 balance.....yes, I said $8.00!!! I was so infuriated that I grabbed one of the Doc's nurses and told her what had happened. The woman was fired almost immediately. More often than not, Doctors don't know what their staff does. I would urge you to report this. That witch overstepped boundaries that no-one should be allowed to, ESPECIALLY in a doctor's office! Why in the world people think that they can be disrespectful to anyone of ANY age, is beyond me. :mad:

[Mairead]

26. This is one of the (many!) reasons to vote for Dennis Kucinich

Single-payer, covers-everyone healthcare is the only way to keep scenes like this from happening. Insurance-company-based cover-most plans won't.