RE: Wasted Dr. Office Visits

[Guest guest]

Ridiculous, yes, surprising, no. We have

a patient who’s been trying to get disability for 2 years for –

drum roll, please – mild hypertension. We happily collect our $20 forms

completion fee for Steve to basically say that this is not anything that should

prevent her from working.

Happy holidays to all

Pratt

Office Manager

Oak Tree Internal Medicine P.C

Roy Medical Associates, Inc.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Wayne Coghill

Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008

12:29 PM

To: Practice Improvements

Subject:

Wasted Dr. Office Visits

Ok, this takes the cake. The real reason for skyrocketing healthcare

costs is patients going for useless office visits (well, ok, but this at least

contributes).

Here's the situation. Patient comes in. New

preventive. Apparently, this person only wants to eat organic foods, but

doesnt want to pay the premium price. How can I tell?

" Whenever I eat fruits and vegetables that are not organic, I

get itching in my throat and my lips and throat swell up. My health insurance

will pay for special food if its medically necessary. Can you write a letter to

the company stating that I have to have organic foods to prevent this reaction.

" Oh, this could be very serious. Sounds like an allergic

reaction. I'll have to send you to an allergist and he will determine

what you are allergic to and write the letter " (man, he is gonna hate us

for siccing her on him)

" Well, I'm not sure it swole up, I THINK my lips were a little

bigger though. "

" Yes, you should see the allergist. "

" Uh, uh, also when I were any synthetic fabric I break out.. Can

you write a letter to...... "

" No, but the dermatologist can check for that and write any

necessary letter! "

yep, she wants her health insurance to pay for her food and

clothing. Just plain rediculous.

[Guest guest]

hey wayne,

can u ask your patient which foods she was allergic to?

i wouldnt mind swollen lips....

hah

(geez)

grace

>

> Ok, this takes the cake. The real reason for skyrocketing

healthcare costs is patients going for useless office visits (well,

ok, but this at least contributes).

>

> Here's the situation.  Patient comes in.  New preventive. 

Apparently, this person only wants to eat organic foods, but doesnt

want to pay the premium price.  How can I tell?

>

> " Whenever I eat fruits and vegetables that are not organic, I get

itching in my throat and my lips and throat swell up. My health

insurance will pay for special food if its medically necessary. Can

you write a letter to the company stating that I have to have organic

foods to prevent this reaction.

>

> " Oh, this could be very serious. Sounds like an allergic reaction. 

I'll have to send you to an allergist and he will determine what you

are allergic to and write the letter " (man, he is gonna hate us for

siccing her on him)

>

> " Well, I'm not sure it swole up, I THINK my lips were a little

bigger though. "

>

> " Yes, you should see the allergist. "

>

> " Uh, uh, also when I were any synthetic fabric I break out.. Can

you write a letter to...... "

>

> " No, but the dermatologist can check for that and write any

necessary letter! "

>

> yep, she wants her health insurance to pay for her food and

clothing.  Just plain rediculous.

>