Really Upset

[Jacquie802]

Hi guys. So today I had an apptmt with an endocrinologist which my cardiologist wanted me to see. So right when I walk in I am given a form to fill out and the lady asks for my insurance card, so I told her that right now I don't have insurance but I should w/i a week or two because my doctor is filling out some paper work so I can get insurance. There were 3 receptionists, maybe one was a nurse. You'd think that by not having insurance I was some piece of trash. They were telling me that I should really reschudule, even though it took me 3 months to get into this doctor, "since I don't have insurance." I wouldn't have been so bothered so much if they had been nice about it but they weren't. I told then that I have no problem with them billing me, it was fine. So one of the 3 women says " you know you have to pay it, it's like Filene's, you buy soemthing then pay for it." I coulnt believe how nasty she was when she said it. I was shocked and had no idea what to say. So the whole time I was in the office room (1.5 hours and I only saw the doctor for 15 min, he kept coming in and out) I could hear them saying "it figures only the ppl w/o insurance show up for their apptmts." Obv they were saying something about me and its rude. The doctor was no freakin help. He wouldnt do bloodwork because " I have no insurance.' So he told me to get all my medical records and bring them back to him and he would "figure something out because I'm messed up." So all I basically got out of this apptmt was that my thyroid is enlarged, not a clue what that means and my potassium levels were low in October... oh yeah I also learned that if you don't have insurance you don't matter in his office. Anyhow, after I finally get out of my apptmt my mother and grandmother were in the waiting room and said that they were saying stuff about me and then looked out at my mom and grandmother then shut the sliding window. I don't even want to pay for this stupid visit. Sorry, but that really just made me feel like S---!

[dizzygirl]

OMG! I'm so very sorry that you were treated that way by the staff and the doctor.. that is horrible!

I must say that I'm not surpirsed though.. people can be so very mean and insenstive.. and just full blown ASH--holes!!

I wish that i had some words of wisdom for you.. but wanted to let you know I understand and hope that you find some "nice and understanding docs!' soon

hang in there..

[Guest Belinda]

I am so sorry this happened to you..people can be so rude..and I would've walked right out asnd found a diffferent endocrinoligist ,I did without a referral.

As for your enlarged thyroid that is nothing to take lightly so don't let this appt. frustrate you so much, if you can find another endocrinologist.

I am sorry you were mistreated because of insurance reasons..I think people think sometimes that we really want to be in their office's because we feel so great, just once it would be nice to put the docs. in our shoes.

I was in hospital for a week because my old cardiac Dr. was trying to figure out what was wrong with me

and one day I overheard human resources outside my door asking why I had to be there still.

My doc. said it's okay they aren't the ones that have to deal with the malp[ractice lawsuits..Ii hope you start to cheer up and feel better!! Belinda

[Ernie]

Hi,

I am sorry that your doctor and his staff only cares about making money and not about your health.

I hope that next time he will treat you better.

[persephone]

This is so shocking- I still don't fully understand the health insurance system in the US- if you can't afford health insurance and you are ill- what happens then? do you just not get seen? I heard once that in the US, paramedics check your wallet for insurance before they deicde which hospital to take you to?

I find that really strange.

There is a discrepancy between private and NHS treatment here, but no matter what, you can get seen and treated and see specialists for free.

I'm so sorry...

[taylortotmom]

I don't know what to say. That is infuriating and absurd. There is no excuse for the way you were treated today. The receptionists were wrong and the doctor was wrong. It is possible that the doctor was trying to keep you from having to pay too much out of pocket until you have insurance. Maybe this is way he felt the bloodwork could wait. He should have given you the option og going ahead and having it done with the possibility of having to pay for it yourself or waiting. He should have explained the risks (if any) in waiting and let you decide if you wanted to wait on insurance or go ahead and do the tests. The receptionists were out right wrong. With all the HIPPA laws now, I can't believe they discussed this openly at all. You should have been called back privately to discuss with ONE person your options. They were wrong. There is no other way to say it- boo to them.

Carmen

[gwen]

I'm so sorry you had that experience! It's never a good sign when the staff doesn't care about the patient, what they say or who hears them. If possible I would find another endo. I would also let your referring dr. know. My Cardi sent me to an endo she thought veryvery highly of. The visit was a joke. The nurse pretended to take my blood pressure. When I asked informed questions about Hypothyroidism and politely asked him to explain something, he sighed and gave a college lecture. never made eye contact. When I told my Cardi about it she was astounded because she said he was so highly regarded and indeed taught at one of the leading med. schools in St. Louis. The thought of him teaching anything make me very sad for the students and their future patients. My Cardi lastyear was forced to go to cash only, but her office fills out ins and then we get re-imbursed. This works out ok for me because of good ins, and I know she bends the rules all the time for her other patients. But if you sit down and bring up insurance companies ,better belt yourself in, because she will give you a rant you won't believe. The Ins co really do treat the drs like dirt. Ive worked in a drs office and i've seen the stuff they pull even on the drs. Another dr i go to also has the same payment plan. The ins co just kept stiffing them and it starts to add up. Both of these drs live a modest lifestyle and are foreign born. They probably could retire at their age. I don't know what Ill do if they retire!!

[Jacquie802]

I am NOT going back to that place. For all they could have known I could have alot of money LOL. This is the exact reason why I go to Boston hospitals, because I have never been treated any differently whether I have ins or not.

[MightyMouse]

Jaquie, rather than just be mad about it, it might help you to write a well thought out letter documenting what happened and send it to their office, and cc the state medical board. I understand why you'd be upset--I would too, but doing something about it may not only help you feel better, but might help that particular doctor change the way he treats people. Maybe not, but it's worth the effort. I feel very strongly that if one is going to complain about something, one should also make an attempt to offer a solution or resolution.

Nina

[wareagle]

Jaquie,

I'm sorry for your experience and I agree with Nina..you should contact the proper channels and report this. I used to work in health care as a lot of us have and what they did is not only rude..it's actually against the law now. Carmen mentioned HIPPA and this would fall under "confidential patient information" and if people could hear them speaking of you in the waiting room they have violated HIPPA regulations and should be repremanded!

This type of thing REALLY irritates me...I always tried to be very careful and respectful when I was working with patients..It disappoints me that others aren't!

Good luck!

[Mrs. Glass]

It is a shame the way that people are treated if they do not have insurance. It happens all of the time. It burns me up, its like if you dont have insurance your life is not worth saving. I went through the same thing. As I am sure a lot of people have gone through it. It is humiliating and degrading, but what can you do. Around here if you do not have insurance the doctors will not see you. My PCP is the only one that I know of that will see you if you do not have insurance. My Cardiologist wont. If you do not have insurance they will not even make an appointment for you. When I first got sick I did not have insurance and I was treated like trash at the hospital. When I was admitted to the hospital the firsts two times I did not have insurance and here I am sick and in the hospital and the clerk comes into my room and is very rude and demands to know how I am going to pay the bill. I just started crying and told her that I had no idea, she actually told me that tears were not going to cut it. The third time that I was admitted I had insurance and the same person came into my room to make sure that all of my insurance information was correct and she was so sweet and nice that it made me sick to my stomach. We did not have insurance for years because it was either pay the insurance premiums or pay the rent and utilities, so you know which one we did not have. I feel for you, the way that you were treated was horrible. What about their oathe does that not mean anything anymore. I guess it is only good if you have insurance! I would see about seeing another doctor, and tell the doctor that sent you how you were treated and see if he can refer you to someone else. I would not go back to a doctor that only cares about getting paid. He is not in it for the right reason. At least they could have been nicer about it. I would also write to the AMA and complain, also the HIPPA act. What they did is against the law in our state. You can not talk about any patient where another patient can hear. And if you heard I am sure that other patients heard also. I hope that you can get into another doctor. Sending you a great big (((HUG))) Vanessa

Hi guys. So today I had an apptmt with an endocrinologist which my cardiologist wanted me to see. So right when I walk in I am given a form to fill out and the lady asks for my insurance card, so I told her that right now I don't have insurance but I should w/i a week or two because my doctor is filling out some paper work so I can get insurance. There were 3 receptionists, maybe one was a nurse. You'd think that by not having insurance I was some piece of trash. They were telling me that I should really reschudule, even though it took me 3 months to get into this doctor, "since I don't have insurance." I wouldn't have been so bothered so much if they had been nice about it but they weren't. I told then that I have no problem with them billing me, it was fine. So one of the 3 women says " you know you have to pay it, it's like Filene's, you buy soemthing then pay for it." I coulnt believe how nasty she was when she said it. I was shocked and had no idea what to say. So the whole time I was in the office room (1.5 hours and I only saw the doctor for 15 min, he kept coming in and out) I could hear them saying "it figures only the ppl w/o insurance show up for their apptmts." Obv they were saying something about me and its rude. The doctor was no freakin help. He wouldnt do bloodwork because " I have no insurance.' So he told me to get all my medical records and bring them back to him and he would "figure something out because I'm messed up." So all I basically got out of this apptmt was that my thyroid is enlarged, not a clue what that means and my potassium levels were low in October... oh yeah I also learned that if you don't have insurance you don't matter in his office. Anyhow, after I finally get out of my apptmt my mother and grandmother were in the waiting room and said that they were saying stuff about me and then looked out at my mom and grandmother then shut the sliding window. I don't even want to pay for this stupid visit. Sorry, but that really just made me feel like S---!

[Aprilmarie52]

some people just have no reguard for others feelings. Personally, I wouldnt go back to that dr again. Obviously he just sees $$$.

[shannon]

UGH!! I am soooo sorry that you had to experience that. Doctors should provide us with the best care possible....they definately shouldn't stop to consider our insurance situations before recommending treatment. I just feel terrible that you had to experience that. Doctors should be there for their patients, not their paychecks. I hope you find another doctor and that future visits go better. Take care!

[ethansmom]

That is so rude! The sad thing is that it doesn't surprise me. I would definitely let them know how you feel!!