doctor rant

[ramonesfreak]

I take 3 types of medicine, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetetes (metformin)
every 3 months my doctor refuses to renew ALL of these medicines unless i get blood work and then come in to the office.

None of these meds are narcotics or adderoll. I have been held hostage to this crap for years.

the other day I go in because my meds ran out weeks ago and the visit is 10 minutes, at most. He looks at my blood work on his computer screen and says - your diabetes is high. I say i know, i reviewed the blood work results online like I always do, you told me last time i could stop taking the medicine so I did. he says, oh, go back on the medicine. Other than take my blood pressure, he does nothing else. No exam, doesnt offer a flu shot (i forgot to ask-oops my bad) doesnt check anything on my body and just stares at his stupid computer screen while i tell him about my shoulder impingement that has been healing on its own and clearly he is not interested in hearing about it....he says, see you in a few months and walks out.

For this service, he bills BC/BS in excess of $300, $190 of which comes out of my pocket in addition to the $25 copay.

This doctor racket is worse than any NYC landlord I have had to deal with. People say lawyers are bad, i know because I am one and hear the jokes and hate....but really? This health care system is absurd and the doctors that contribute to this madness are unethical bastards

I would rather stop the meds and take my chances than play this BS game. And this is not some country bumpkin doctor making up the rules as he goes along. This is a doctor working out of the University of Rochester Medicine.

if you are a doctor that acts like mine, shame on you

pathetic

[oldE]

I realize you're complaining to us because you're unhappy you didn't demand attention to your problems from the doctor.
Next time demand the time you are paying for.

Good luck with the shoulder.
Best
Les

[recycled sixtie]

If you are not happy with your doctor go see another one?

[Zeke]

Sounds normal to me. If you have a shoulder problem, see an orthopod. Internists don't know anything about shoulders.

Sounds also like you need to eat better and exercise more. If I were a doc, I would have at least quizzed you on that.

[ramonesfreak]

i dont care about the shoulder. thats not the point

the point is, there is absolutely no need to demand i come in to the office in order to renew blood pressure meds or cholesterol meds or even diabetes meds. The blood work tells the tale. All he has to do is email me and say, i see your diabetes is elevated after stopping the meds, go back on it and we will redo the blood work in 3 months

its a business. thats all it is. he wants his money for nothing

[GH85Carrera]

Find a new doctor, then fire the old one. I keep having doctors retire on me, the bastages all are tire of doing the endless paper work required and just become quitters, or retirees.

The biggest challenge now days with the totally screwed up system is finding a doctor that will accept a new patient. And up front ask him if you can get the prescriptions renewed for 12 months at a time. Get a 3 month supply every quarter, and the pharmacy have your prescription on order.

Find a doctor you like, and trust. Long ago I went to see a new doctor and when I walked in he reeked of cigarettes, and had yellow stained fingers. Sorry, but I am prejudiced against smokers in close contact with me, I ain't putting up with it. I stood up, told him I am finding a new doc, and told the front desk folks to cancel my appointment and I walked out.

[jhynesrockmtn]

It is BS. I'm a type 1 diabetic. I take insulin daily and will for the rest of my life. The hardest part of all of this is the crap is between the pharmacies who are constantly changing things, the Docs who insist on an in person visit and labs for something that is permanent and stable. I prefer to see PA's or nurse practioners. They don't seem to be in such a hurry.

Recently the pharmacy won't send me 90 days of insulin because their new policy prevents their staff from opening boxes of 5 insulin pens to make up 90 days so they round down to 60 even though my benefit says I should get 90. I hate the pharmacies more than the Docs. Thanks for the rant space and find a good PA who has a telemedicine capability.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

It is BS. I'm a type 1 diabetic. I take insulin daily and will for the rest of my life. The hardest part of all of this is the crap is between the pharmacies who are constantly changing things, the Docs who insist on an in person visit and labs for something that is permanent and stable. I prefer to see PA's or nurse practioners. They don't seem to be in such a hurry.

Recently the pharmacy won't send me 90 days of insulin because their new policy prevents their staff from opening boxes of 5 insulin pens to make up 90 days so they round down to 60 even though my benefit says I should get 90. I hate the pharmacies more than the Docs. Thanks for the rant space and find a good PA who has a telemedicine capability.

Find a different pharmacy! You are the customer and you should get the prescription as it is written, not what is convenient for them.

Most doctors see patients that are basically healthy as an annuity, they just want their money on a regular basis.

[ckelly78z]

I see three (3) specialist doctors for my various issues on a quarterly basis, and my co-pay is $60 to get in the door per visit.....do the math, because this doesn't include any tests, or insurance co-pays.

For 25 years running now, I have hit my out of pocket insurance limit within the year (every year), so go ahead and complain !

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

every 3 months my doctor refuses to renew ALL of these medicines unless i get blood work and then come in to the office.

the other day I go in because my meds ran out weeks ago and the visit is 10 minutes, at most. He looks at my blood work on his computer screen and says - your diabetes is high. I say i know, i reviewed the blood work results online like I always do, you told me last time i could stop taking the medicine so I did. he says, oh, go back on the medicine. Other than take my blood pressure, he does nothing else. No exam, doesnt offer a flu shot (i forgot to ask-oops my bad) doesnt check anything on my body and just stares at his stupid computer screen while i tell him about my shoulder impingement that has been healing on its own and clearly he is not interested in hearing about it....he says, see you in a few months and walks out.

For this service, he bills BC/BS in excess of $300, $190 of which comes out of my pocket in addition to the $25 copay.

I'm pretty sure there are other Drs up there. You should find a different one.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Find a different pharmacy! You are the customer and you should get the prescription as it is written, not what is convenient for them.

Most doctors see patients that are basically healthy as an annuity, they just want their money on a regular basis.

Oh, I have tried. The insurance company will only do a 90 day with 1 mail order pharmacy or theoretically Walgreen's. Walgreen's can't figure out my insurance. The mail order is the one now screwing me over.

[stomachmonkey]

Fire the Doctor.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Fire the Doctor.

Yep. Myself and the Missus have had some Drs that were good/OK. (I don't see a Dr much). I got a referral to a Dr once where the first visit went OK, but the follow up felt like he just wasn't focused. I never went back, and the first visit essentially gave me a clean bill of health.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yep. Myself and the Missus have had some Drs that were good/OK. (I don't see a Dr much). I got a referral to a Dr once where the first visit went OK, but the follow up felt like he just wasn't focused. I never went back, and the first visit essentially gave me a clean bill of health.

I interview my care providers.

You guys may have noticed, I have some "issues"

When I got my new Dentist i told them flat out, I need a partner as deeply vested in my care as me or this won't work. I requested to take a couple of the techs for a test drive and if I found one that I felt comfortable with that they would never schedule me for an appointment with anyone else, ever. I need to go for cleanings quarterly,

He has honored that request and I have to say I am very pleased the past 5 or so years.

We get either what we ask for or settle for.

Don't settle on your healthcare.

[Rick Lee]

I had a doctor like this long ago in VA. I was dying from sinus problems during a weekend at the track. This was before Claritan and Zyrtec were OTC, but just after I broke up with my GF who was a nurse and got me lots of free samples and after my script had run out. Doctor told me, "I'm not your drive-thru pharmacy. You need to make an appt and come in before I write any script." I wasn't asking for Methadone. I was so irate. Shortly thereafter he went concierge and sent me an invite to join for a mere $1500/yr. membership. No thanks. Current doc requires that I come in once a year for script refills, but not more than that.

[Steve Carlton]

Fire Dr Rosenfetus.

[Norm K]

I told my rheumatologist that when she requires me to come in for nothing more than a quick "Hello, how are you doing" (after having already seen my most recent lab-work) before she'll refill my scrip, my billing clock will start running fifteen minutes after the scheduled appointment time.

I offered her a reduced rate of $200/hr, with a one hour minimum, and told her to feel free to bill me similarly if I ever kept her waiting.

Although she thought I was kidding, I assured her I wasn't, as I was tired of having to drive across town, always arriving early, only to be kept waiting well beyond my appointment time. Every. Single. Time.

She declined, but my new guy didn't, and I've yet to be kept waiting or been asked to attend a needless appointment in the two years since the switch.

There aren't a whole lot of truly private-practice docs out there. I am lucky to have found an excellent one who is beholden only to his staff and his patients. As an added bonus, he's 30 years my junior, something I think is important in physicians and financial planners.

_

[RM512]

It is a racket. When my father was in the hospital, his doctor would literally poke his head in the door, ask 'how ya doin'?" then send a bill for $300

[flatbutt]

I've been on a particular med for 20 years now and periodically my PCP needs bloodwork before he'll renew it. Apparently it can cause red cell issues so I'm ok with it. It's actually easier for me to get my pain meds.

[Baz]

Had a doctor help me out recently - he knows who he is - and I'm grateful for the help. It's the little things that make a difference.