Re: Left the Doctor's office in tears!

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I feel so bad for you. I had a problem when I was in a HMO

insurance. With a HMO you have to go to a doctor on the list and the he grees

to take a lower fee, they get a bigger volume of patients. If they don't get

the volume of patients then treating just a few HMO patients is a loss.

One time, the last time I saw him, he saw me but would allow me only one

question. the doctor flat out told me he only received a few dollars for

treating me and if it came to treating me or someone else with better insurance

he would take the one with more money. I argued with him and asked about the

oath he took as a doctor and he just went on and on about money. We got into a

shouting match and I left in tears.

I felt so humiliated. I called every one I could think of to complain about

this doctor saying money was more important

then treating patients. They said a doctor can pick and chose who he treats in

his practice.. I did change doctors and found a wonderful caring doctor.

So the point I am getting to.. yes I do think your doctor was looking at your

insurance and probably is going to bill Medicaid for your missed appt. as well.

I know this was a let down for you. Dust yourself off and try again. If you

have to go back to this same doctor and you are comfortable with that put this

day behind you and move on.It just really stinks. You tried your best

to get there on time. I wish I could hug you right now..You are in my thoughts

and prayers for a better tomorrow..

Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Oh my! Yes, it may be possible the doc is putting you on the back

burner because of Medicaid, but also it may be because you are a new

patient, meaning, you are not already established with him. Either way, the

doc's behavior does seem a tad bit unethical. Was this a doc you chose, or is

this the one SSA sent you to? If this is a doc your chose, find another one. If

this is an SSA doc that you need to see for your Consultative Exam, call him,

keep calling, and get rescheduled because the C.E. is crucial to your Benefits

Award. If anything I would think the doc could have tried to re-schedule you in

later in the day while you were in Miami, knowing you came from far away.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That sounds so frustrating! I wouldn't go back to that office but I'm probably

overreacting.

About the Medicaid issue, could this whole issue be bypassed? When I had a gap

in medical coverage my CMTIA hit bottom (or felt that way at the time). I

contacted the MDA. They pay for 1 appointment annually and they paid for my

braces as well.

Would they pay for surgery or an appointment with a neurosurgeon? Maybe that's

a possibility?

Well wishes,

Love,

Chris

[Guest guest]

, Hi,

I just thought of something: this doc may be " testing you " , to see

how strong you are (emotionally I mean). If you were seeing him

about your back and possible surgery, he might have already

been 'evaluating' you. I can tell you that having back surgery is a

tough go, not so much the surgery part, but the recovery, and you

are going to need to be SO strong, emotionally and psychologically

for this.

Also, in my experience with back surgery and getting different

opinions, I discovered the neurosurgeons all said I didn't need it -

until I found a spinal orthopedist, who was honest, on-time, and

very straight and truthful with me. And yes, I DID need surgery, and

his work was stellar - it's been almost 5 years now, with no

problems, I'm as good as new, if not better!

So, scre* this doc you saw today. I'm sure there's plenty more in

Miami that will be a better match for you. Let me know if I can help

you locate some spinal orthopedists.

~ Gretchen

PS Anytime in my life where I left a doc's office crying, I never

returned - ever - for anything.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm sorry to read about what happened. Personally, if a Doc would treat me like

that - forget it - there are too many other good Docs. In my opinion, Docs are

supposed to be caring people who really want to help people. I know it's hard

to find Docs but I'd keep trying.

Just a quick story, the first neurologist we took my son to (keep it mind that

it is obvious that by looking at him that there is definitely something wrong

with his foot) did a quick look over, said he was positive that my son did not

suffer from any sort of neuropathy and didn't feel that an EMG was necessary.

The next neurologist we saw asked a few questions, looked at his foot, and then

said he thought there was definitely something wrong and mentioned

Charcot-Marie-Tooth. He did the EMG and another test and had him sent for the

DNA testing with Athena who confirmed the CMT.

Anyway, the point I am trying to make is if your not satisfied with a Doc go

somewhere else where you will be treated as you should be and where you will get

the treatment you need.

Good luck

Carmella

[Guest guest]

I think it's a good idea that I do find someone else. I never have seen him

before and now that I don't have a great opinion of him already, I don't want

him inside my body with a knife. My regular doctor and I found him in a book

she had of neurosurgeons who took Medicaid...not too smart, huh?

No, I'm not sure I do need surgery, all I know is the pain is getting worse.

Gretchen, if you do have a way to find a surgeon in the Miami area I'd

appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

This is going to sound really nieve, but what is the MDA? I'm going to kick

myself when you tell me. And I think I'm going to get in touch with my regular

doctor and start again or see what Gretchen can find out and I'll be checking

more myself. Thank you so much.

[Guest guest]

I can't thank all of you for the great input, especially when it comes to

standing up for myself. Right now I'm caught between a rock and a hard place,

point being, I have no money to dick around with and keep waiting for months at

a time for a new appt. I also think they play on that mind set. Thank you so

much for the info.

Love,

[Guest guest]

Oh...Thank you so much for that. What I don't understand is...How is it that

they are willing to be " Medicaid " doctors? Do they truthfully want to help

people or is it part of their doctor thing? (as you can see I didn't know how

to word that) The time factor is killing me, months and months...