I took my son to the doctor last week as he has been having some problems with his impulsive behaviour. She had diagnosed him with ADHD in 2002. The last time he saw her was in 2004. We have tried going the non-medicated route for the last couple of years.
My job does not provide insurance and I have always paid the visit in full at the time of the visit. The doctor last week was questioning me as to why I have not applied for medicaid or chips and went on about this for several minutes. WTH?? I was really quite insulted and she was really rude about it. Why does it matter as long as the visit is paid? Maybe because when someone else is footing the bill they can do all sorts of tests etc?? Maybe it's time to find a new doctor!
Scolded By Physician For Not Having State Funded Ins!
February 14th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
February 14th, 2007 at 01:25 pm 1171459519
I admire you for wanting to pay your own way. I hope you can find a doctor who appreciates your integrity and who treats you well.
February 14th, 2007 at 02:25 pm 1171463144
February 14th, 2007 at 02:30 pm 1171463443
February 14th, 2007 at 06:27 pm 1171477627
There is no crime and certainly no shame in accepting assistance that you need and qualify for.
February 14th, 2007 at 07:59 pm 1171483155
I don't have any problem with someone who works and does their best to be self- sufficient, getting assistance. I think she should apply for CHIPS for her child. What I have a problem with, is the many people who abuse the system. And, in parts of the country, the abuse is rampant.
Maybe it was the doctor's attitude that was offensive. My daughter was told by her child's physician that she had two price lists. One for Medicaid and one for people with insurance. This is because the majority of patients in this area are on Medicaid. The lower fees from Medicaid were "balanced" by higher fees from the insurance company. My daughter has insurance, but it has very high deductibles, so she has
a lot of "out of pocket" expenses. Thus, the negative attitude.
I realize that physician's insurance costs are out of sight. I don't have any answers to these problems, but it is frustrating.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:00 pm 1171490446
You may ask why do I not have insurance. The answer, I have bipolar disorder and was not allowed to purchase it by the insurance companies. I am a widow and am not insured by my husband's work.
A person's life should not be ruined by an illness. I do not consider it my fault that I had diverticular disease as it is hereditary in my case and it was extremely painful! But the real pain came afterward, dealing with collection agencies, etc. etc.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pm 1171491908
Your doctor was upset with what she probably perceived as your irresponsibility. She probably came across as superior and condescending. Forget all of that. You are not going to change her manner. What she meant to say came out all wrong so let it go and instead go by what disneysteve advised. Get the insurance for the kid and save yourself any potential grief.
February 15th, 2007 at 12:15 am 1171498515
February 15th, 2007 at 12:21 am 1171498898
February 15th, 2007 at 03:00 am 1171508453
So if a patient has surgery, the hospital bill could be covered by Charity Care, but follow-up visits, pain meds, antibiotics, etc. would not be covered. Even with Charity Care, a patient could find himself up to his neck in bills, or more likely be unable to get the necessary care due to lack of insurance. I have many patients who fall into that category. They have charity care but it doesn't do them a whole lot of good because what they need isn't covered by it.
By the way, in no way am I defending or excusing the doctor for being rude. That's inappropriate in any situation, even if what she was saying happened to be correct.
August 19th, 2007 at 02:37 pm 1187534261