Guest guest Posted June 1, 2000 Report Share Posted June 1, 2000 Hi .. I have sent this reply to both you and the entire groups because I want to give everyone a chance to read it.. I am one of those who have been caught in the middle of this.. I am on medicaid and feel like I am being forced to go to a doctor that I don't trust or know anything about.. I don't think it's right.. I have been thinking about surgery for almost 2 years now and have known it was going to be the MGB since December.. I have been fighting to get medical records and information so that it can be sent to Medicaid and now have been waiting for approval since March 4th.. Now I have to start all over because the hospital had made a split decision to cut medicaid/medicare/vocational rehab for a while?!?! Everything that I have been working towards for the last 6 months was all for nothing!! Absolutely nothing!!! And, I am not the only one.. there are a few who have had it worse.. Tara was in the process of insurance approval/scheduling and poor O'Kelley called the day before her surgery just to be told that she cannot have it!!! This is so sad!! Maybe if we get everyone on this list together, we will be able to do something.. But, we need EVERYONE!!!! Not just the few of us who have Medicaid.. I don't think we should be penelized just because we cannot afford " real " insurance!! We are already discriminated against and penelized so much in other ways.. And no.. we should NOT have to choose between a meal or a doctor!! Tell me what i can do, and i will try my best!!! In my thoughts and prayers, Terri >I am prompted to write this to see if anyone has any information >regarding the hospital and the " financial troubles " that they are in. >I have worked for hospitals that have said they could not give us a >raise and laid off long term workers the week of Christmas and the >first of the year redecorated the whole entire hospital including >carpet that was less than 2 years old. Of course we were told the >money was from a " different budget " . We never suspended any care to >Medicaid patients however. >My concern is this............... >1. Morale of staff >2. Standard of Care >3. Patient satisfaction > >My question is this.......Does anyone receive any standard follow up >form from the hospital that monitors patient satisfaction with the >hospital and its facillity? > >If so I am wondering ,,since DR R does have such a large(no pun >intended) number of patients that go there for surgery.......IF the >hospital could offer us some assurances that the Quality of Care is >IMPROVING (As it always should) and not diminishing. > >Anyone with any thoughts on this email me privately as I am web only. >You may share your or my answers with the group. >I am prepared to do an informal monitoring of the above issues if the >hospital will not comply with our concerns ....IF there is indeed >others that feel this is a potential issue. I say nip it in the bud >now......if they had to stop caring for the " poor " I want to know why. > " Cost shifting " ie sending the " burden " of caring for indigent to >other hospitals is ILLEGAL. Now so far I don't see that they are >doing this because this is so called " elective surgery " but I really >wonder IF there really IS a financial crunch and if so we as a group >should look out for each other so we will KNOW that Quality of Care >will stay up to par. >I sure dont want to see them replaced professional staff with less >skilled in order to save a few bucks. The nursing care is NOT what is >causing escalating health care costs.....The cost of TECHNOLOGY and >governmental " red tape " is. >The above is the TREND and I have seen it happen many times when >there is a critical nursing shortage(which there is again now). >I sometimes think the hospitals use this opportunity of " nursing >shortage " to replace vacancies with nonprofession caregivers. I am >NOT saying that those nonprofessional caregivers are NOT some of the >most wonderful angels sent to hospitals. I am just stating a fact >that our healthcare system has become increasingly specialized and >filled with technology,sicker patients etc and you should have a >Registered Nurse taking care of you. There should be someone there to >answer your call light promptly and help should arrive in a timely >fashion. Sorry I have rambled on....This medicaid hold thing has me >worried a bit........ > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2000 Report Share Posted June 1, 2000 Hi .. I have sent this reply to both you and the entire groups because I want to give everyone a chance to read it.. I am one of those who have been caught in the middle of this.. I am on medicaid and feel like I am being forced to go to a doctor that I don't trust or know anything about.. I don't think it's right.. I have been thinking about surgery for almost 2 years now and have known it was going to be the MGB since December.. I have been fighting to get medical records and information so that it can be sent to Medicaid and now have been waiting for approval since March 4th.. Now I have to start all over because the hospital had made a split decision to cut medicaid/medicare/vocational rehab for a while?!?! Everything that I have been working towards for the last 6 months was all for nothing!! Absolutely nothing!!! And, I am not the only one.. there are a few who have had it worse.. Tara was in the process of insurance approval/scheduling and poor O'Kelley called the day before her surgery just to be told that she cannot have it!!! This is so sad!! Maybe if we get everyone on this list together, we will be able to do something.. But, we need EVERYONE!!!! Not just the few of us who have Medicaid.. I don't think we should be penelized just because we cannot afford " real " insurance!! We are already discriminated against and penelized so much in other ways.. And no.. we should NOT have to choose between a meal or a doctor!! Tell me what i can do, and i will try my best!!! In my thoughts and prayers, Terri >I am prompted to write this to see if anyone has any information >regarding the hospital and the " financial troubles " that they are in. >I have worked for hospitals that have said they could not give us a >raise and laid off long term workers the week of Christmas and the >first of the year redecorated the whole entire hospital including >carpet that was less than 2 years old. Of course we were told the >money was from a " different budget " . We never suspended any care to >Medicaid patients however. >My concern is this............... >1. Morale of staff >2. Standard of Care >3. Patient satisfaction > >My question is this.......Does anyone receive any standard follow up >form from the hospital that monitors patient satisfaction with the >hospital and its facillity? > >If so I am wondering ,,since DR R does have such a large(no pun >intended) number of patients that go there for surgery.......IF the >hospital could offer us some assurances that the Quality of Care is >IMPROVING (As it always should) and not diminishing. > >Anyone with any thoughts on this email me privately as I am web only. >You may share your or my answers with the group. >I am prepared to do an informal monitoring of the above issues if the >hospital will not comply with our concerns ....IF there is indeed >others that feel this is a potential issue. I say nip it in the bud >now......if they had to stop caring for the " poor " I want to know why. > " Cost shifting " ie sending the " burden " of caring for indigent to >other hospitals is ILLEGAL. Now so far I don't see that they are >doing this because this is so called " elective surgery " but I really >wonder IF there really IS a financial crunch and if so we as a group >should look out for each other so we will KNOW that Quality of Care >will stay up to par. >I sure dont want to see them replaced professional staff with less >skilled in order to save a few bucks. The nursing care is NOT what is >causing escalating health care costs.....The cost of TECHNOLOGY and >governmental " red tape " is. >The above is the TREND and I have seen it happen many times when >there is a critical nursing shortage(which there is again now). >I sometimes think the hospitals use this opportunity of " nursing >shortage " to replace vacancies with nonprofession caregivers. I am >NOT saying that those nonprofessional caregivers are NOT some of the >most wonderful angels sent to hospitals. I am just stating a fact >that our healthcare system has become increasingly specialized and >filled with technology,sicker patients etc and you should have a >Registered Nurse taking care of you. There should be someone there to >answer your call light promptly and help should arrive in a timely >fashion. Sorry I have rambled on....This medicaid hold thing has me >worried a bit........ > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2000 Report Share Posted June 1, 2000 Hi .. I have sent this reply to both you and the entire groups because I want to give everyone a chance to read it.. I am one of those who have been caught in the middle of this.. I am on medicaid and feel like I am being forced to go to a doctor that I don't trust or know anything about.. I don't think it's right.. I have been thinking about surgery for almost 2 years now and have known it was going to be the MGB since December.. I have been fighting to get medical records and information so that it can be sent to Medicaid and now have been waiting for approval since March 4th.. Now I have to start all over because the hospital had made a split decision to cut medicaid/medicare/vocational rehab for a while?!?! Everything that I have been working towards for the last 6 months was all for nothing!! Absolutely nothing!!! And, I am not the only one.. there are a few who have had it worse.. Tara was in the process of insurance approval/scheduling and poor O'Kelley called the day before her surgery just to be told that she cannot have it!!! This is so sad!! Maybe if we get everyone on this list together, we will be able to do something.. But, we need EVERYONE!!!! Not just the few of us who have Medicaid.. I don't think we should be penelized just because we cannot afford " real " insurance!! We are already discriminated against and penelized so much in other ways.. And no.. we should NOT have to choose between a meal or a doctor!! Tell me what i can do, and i will try my best!!! In my thoughts and prayers, Terri >I am prompted to write this to see if anyone has any information >regarding the hospital and the " financial troubles " that they are in. >I have worked for hospitals that have said they could not give us a >raise and laid off long term workers the week of Christmas and the >first of the year redecorated the whole entire hospital including >carpet that was less than 2 years old. Of course we were told the >money was from a " different budget " . We never suspended any care to >Medicaid patients however. >My concern is this............... >1. Morale of staff >2. Standard of Care >3. Patient satisfaction > >My question is this.......Does anyone receive any standard follow up >form from the hospital that monitors patient satisfaction with the >hospital and its facillity? > >If so I am wondering ,,since DR R does have such a large(no pun >intended) number of patients that go there for surgery.......IF the >hospital could offer us some assurances that the Quality of Care is >IMPROVING (As it always should) and not diminishing. > >Anyone with any thoughts on this email me privately as I am web only. >You may share your or my answers with the group. >I am prepared to do an informal monitoring of the above issues if the >hospital will not comply with our concerns ....IF there is indeed >others that feel this is a potential issue. I say nip it in the bud >now......if they had to stop caring for the " poor " I want to know why. > " Cost shifting " ie sending the " burden " of caring for indigent to >other hospitals is ILLEGAL. Now so far I don't see that they are >doing this because this is so called " elective surgery " but I really >wonder IF there really IS a financial crunch and if so we as a group >should look out for each other so we will KNOW that Quality of Care >will stay up to par. >I sure dont want to see them replaced professional staff with less >skilled in order to save a few bucks. The nursing care is NOT what is >causing escalating health care costs.....The cost of TECHNOLOGY and >governmental " red tape " is. >The above is the TREND and I have seen it happen many times when >there is a critical nursing shortage(which there is again now). >I sometimes think the hospitals use this opportunity of " nursing >shortage " to replace vacancies with nonprofession caregivers. I am >NOT saying that those nonprofessional caregivers are NOT some of the >most wonderful angels sent to hospitals. I am just stating a fact >that our healthcare system has become increasingly specialized and >filled with technology,sicker patients etc and you should have a >Registered Nurse taking care of you. There should be someone there to >answer your call light promptly and help should arrive in a timely >fashion. Sorry I have rambled on....This medicaid hold thing has me >worried a bit........ > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2000 Report Share Posted June 1, 2000 What a HOT topic.... I doubt if Dr R ever made this a " split second decision " No medical profession would do that. I thought it was for other reasons...such as the HOSPITAL was no longer taking Medicaid patients. I doubt that he is equipped to do your surgery in his office. The real " BEEF " is with the government......not the health profession.....take it up with the proper officials as to why they pay MUCH LESS for procedures than bonafide insurance companies. That is the REAL problem and has been for decades. I have seen the decisions that are forced upon the population that has a limited acess to care......yes I said that.....their acess IS limited...........Sure they can walk in to any emergency room..but just like the gal (pinkrose I think..said)... " trying to find a doctor " I think she meant a Primary Care Physician. It is HUMILIATING for a person to have to call and BEG for someone to take them because they dont have " regular insurance " Our counrty needs to wake up......when they figure out that in the long run PREVENTATIVE care and increased access to care saves A LOT OF MONEY..........maybe they will do something. By the way I do think that most people will agree that preventative care....ie Weight Loss surgery for Morbid Obesity....for example IS Cost saving. So are immunizations and , for that matter no mother should ever have to make the decision whether her child gets a decent meal or a trip to the doctor for an ear infection. Sorry I got off on a tangent here. This is a sore subject with me. , a nurse that has SEEn the discrimination done to those that " have " and those that " have not " and I am sure not blaming it one Doctor. He is a pioneer in his field,not a miracle worker. Call ,write your congressman/woman today....they have email too!!! n a message dated 5/12/00 4:24:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > dcp0702@g... writes: > > << In reference to the recent Medicaid posting and Dr. Rutledge's attitude: > > I read the post too, several times. From my understanding her insurance > > denied her the MGB/WLS. Then she was referred to Medicaid. Medicaid is > > secondary to her insurance. And besides, what does it matter as to > > whether it is Medicaid or not? Should Medicaid, Medicare, and > Vocational Rehab patients not get same treatment as others? Is there > something that would > > make them less important or less creditable? I have also to question the > > fact that Doctor's have a choice as to whether or not to accept Medicaid > > patients once they are so far into the process. Why advertise that you > > accept them, tell them they are approved, tell them the pay rate will be > > accepted, then tell them suddenly at the time of scheduling surgery, that > > he has decided not to do them? He plainly states that he would do the > > surgery for nothing, because of how it helps people and makes them > happy. Why would he say that in clinic in Jan of 2000? Then have the > attitude in May of > > 2000, that Medicaid doesn't pay enough for him. That is very > contradictory, and > > very disconcerting to me. >> > > I missed the posting on this subject , my computer has been on the blink...I > know I will get some flack from the group, but oh well...this does concern > me, for several reasons, such as, I have been searching this surgery for 8 > months, and > i have just been approved for disability and i have just recieved > medacaid...I have just in the last 2 months e-mailed Dr. Rutledge and Debbie > (personally) > and was told that ( they do indeed take medacaid,) and they gave me step my > step > instructions on what to do to get the ball rolling. I have been working real > hard in trying to find a doctor to support this surgery. I have copied the > manuel and giving it to different doctors, and have had my blood work and > other tests done. I do not think that it is fair to just stop taking > medacaid > patients without a notice...shoot, I will speak my mind... it just seems > like > now that business is picking up, that the doctor does not ( need ) his > medacaid > patients anymore... if this surgery was truly about caring about others, and > not about the money,, then this would not be an issue....medacaid was not a > problem before the business got busy,,,so why is it now ??? I was told 2 > months ago that medacaid would pay for this surgery by the doctor > himself...and was told what i needed to do, and what paperwork to send in...I > think it is very rude, selfish and cold hearted to do this to another human > being......i do not see anything caring, trusting or supportive in someone, > who could shatter someones dreams and hopes, by denying them surgery because > of some insurance that they were taking at one time, but decided in a split > second to stop taking, is this really about caring about people or is it > about success and money????? michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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