Quote:
Originally Posted by AOII Angel
Have you looked into seeing any other physicians who are in network? There are other solutions than going to a physician who isn't covered by your insurance policy. One imporant part of any health care reform will include cost containment, and that WILL include limiting which physicians you can go to, what tests you can have and what medications you can take that the plan will cover. Otherwise, costs skyrocket. I think finding the right doctor sometimes takes trial and error. It took me several physicians to find the right neurologist for me. Just like with every other profession, we're human. Not all of us are good. Not all of us are going to mesh well with you. Not all of us really care that you want to have a say in your health care. Find the one that does. Don't give up, but try working within the system so you don't throw away good money.
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This will be the third doctor that I am going to for something relatively simple as hypothyroidism (compared to the psuedotumor cerebri which I had for roughly the past year - but that's gone because my brain trauma was allowed to heal on the medication I was on). Both previous doctors have shown they really don't care that I want to be involved in my healthcare - it was almost like pulling teeth even to get copies of the test results so I had them for my records! The current doctor said that she will not prescribe anything other than synthetic thyroid - which really makes me wonder what she would make me take for the rest of the symptoms I'm experiencing?!
But the question is why should I be a slave to the system? Why must I settle for only doctors that have made a deal with the health insurance companies? Why should I not be allowed to look outside the 'normal' system and work with an MD who looks at alternative means of health care (preventative rather than waiting until I'm actually sick)? I'm willing to drive 1.5 hours each way to see a doctor who, on paper, is willing to work WITH me to make me a healthier person all around - and if I have to pay for the office visits out of my own pocket (if insurance only will cover the tests) then so be it.
My view, as a patient, of the where our healthcare system is broke is that the patient is left out of the equation most of the time - its the doctors and insurance companies making the decisions. The first doctor I saw lied right to my face when I asked for specific blood tests to establish a baseline (D3, T3 and T4) - said he would order them and didn't (his nurse said because the insurance company wouldn't cover those tests - and T3 and T4 are only checked for hyperthyroid patients). I left after finding that out as I don't care for lip service, especially when my health is involved.
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