Medical Cost

[ultrarunner]

When I go to my family doctor I can see several people behind the counter that do nothing but deal with insurance paperwork and there are probably other contract employees working from home or another office doing the same. I'd like to know what the ratio is of people who are directly involved in patient care (doctors & nurses) to people doing non-value added work. That's got to be a huge overhead cost in running a doctor's office.

AI is already on it for better or worse…

Official AI calls requesting medical records are a thing with two-way conversation…

 

[gsganzer]

I'm starting a search for a new primary physician. I'm firing mine after nearly 30 years with him. As soon as he went from private practice to joining the Texas Health Resources a few years ago, it all went downhill. It's painfully obvious that these health networks are all about maximizing profit, at the expense of the consumer.

They cancelled my last appointment at the last minute. I travel a bunch, so scheduling and/or cancelling appointments are extremely problematic for me. I'm in for this week and they can't find a way to fit me in for a meds consult. I saw a pulmonologist a few months ago and he expressed concern on a dry cough I have as a likely side effect from taking Lisinopril. Suggested I get with my primary to see if I can take something else. Next appointment opening is next week or November. I asked if they could put me on a list if there was a cancellation this week, but they said they don't have such a list.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm starting a search for a new primary physician. I'm firing mine after nearly 30 years with him. As soon as he went from private practice to joining the Texas Health Resources a few years ago, it all went downhill. It's painfully obvious that these health networks are all about maximizing profit, at the expense of the consumer.

They cancelled my last appointment at the last minute. I travel a bunch, so scheduling and/or cancelling appointments are extremely problematic for me. I'm in for this week and they can't find a way to fit me in for a meds consult. I saw a pulmonologist a few months ago and he expressed concern on a dry cough I have as a likely side effect from taking Lisinopril. Suggested I get with my primary to see if I can take something else. Next appointment opening is next week or November. I asked if they could put me on a list if there was a cancellation this week, but they said they don't have such a list.

Getting timely medical appointments is so frustrating. Most availability is so many weeks away that you would either be recovered from the illness or dead.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Our family physician retired after 40 years in practice. Nice guy...huge hands.
I see his replacement a year ago...this petite very nice Asian lady, with tiny hands!!!
I get a physical "everything is great!" she says!
.
.
"Aren't you going to check my prostate?" I ask.
.
.
"That's not necessary since you're 73" she replies.

Of course she wasn't even BORN 40 years ago. Just my luck. ...Dr. Banana Fingers.

 

[LouNY]

Our family physician retired after 40 years in practice. Nice guy...huge hands.
I see his replacement a year ago...this petite very nice Asian lady, with tiny hands!!!
I get a physical "everything is great!" she says!
.
.
"Aren't you going to check my prostate?" I ask.
.
.
"That's not necessary since you're 73" she replies.

Of course she wasn't even BORN 40 years ago. Just my luck. ...Dr. Banana Fingers.

Don't believe that crap, did they at least do the PSA blood test to check for prostate cancer. Because it can show up at anytime. Mine was treated over 5 years ago. Then I noticed that the VA wasn't doing the PSA tests because of my age. My private primary care did, and then we went back to the urologist and all of a sudden I'm getting a PET scan then 26 doses of radiation treatment and now an ongoing regimen of shots every quarter.

 

[ultrarunner]

Getting timely medical appointments is so frustrating. Most availability is so many weeks away that you would either be recovered from the illness or dead.

This is one reason why ER and Urgent Care are busy here… same day seen…

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Don't believe that crap, did they at least do the PSA blood test to check for prostate cancer. Because it can show up at anytime. Mine was treated over 5 years ago. Then I noticed that the VA wasn't doing the PSA tests because of my age. My private primary care did, and then we went back to the urologist and all of a sudden I'm getting a PET scan then 26 doses of radiation treatment and now an ongoing regimen of shots every quarter.

I insisted on a PSA test. It was very low but what I understand it doesn't 100% mean cancer-free.