What does it take to see a doctor these days?

[ncttrnl]

A couple times a year I decide that maybe I should actually go for an annual checkup. I haven't had one in something like 7 years and I only went in then because I had chicken pox. Now I want a checkup because its a good idea and I need one for SCUBA.

Everytime I call to make an appointment, they send me to some voicemail line to pre-register or something and be "accepted" as a patient. I've been through this process many times already and I'm beginning to get pissed off. I'm thinking about switching doctors, since I haven't actually seen this one in the three years I've had him. My dilemma is that no doctor will see me without their name on my insurance card and that takes god knows how long to change.

I've got insurance... I'm pretty healthy... I just want a checkup!

An interesting side note to all of this... I don't know what my employer pays for my healthcare. I know I used to pay 250 bucks a month when I was a consultant. Now think about that knowing I've only been to the doctor once in 7 years. Insurance seems like a pretty sweet business to be in.

[FunkTron]

its a total scam......for healthy people........but basically you are subsidizing the chronic illnesses........and the hypocondriacs.......hate them......

see if you are allowed to see a "network" physician.....lots of times despite having a primary...you can see another so long as they take the same insurance....I'd call around and ask them.

[mike]

I have Kaiser, which runs me around $80 a month for a HMO )Have Money Or die), which means if I go to the doctor, I call the automated line, get an appointment without speaking to anyone hopefully for the same day, show up, pay $10 and go wait another 4 minuets past my appointment to see my doctor, then wait another 45 min. at their Kaiser pharmacy.

I go once a year, but the main reason I pay my $80 a month is the in case shit happens. Like I come down with some weird sickness or disease, fall off a lader and break something, you know a big ouch. Erin was in the hospital for 4 days and had surgery for a kidney stone, added up to somewhere around $20K.

[JETTAone420]

bless...the VA and free everything health!

[wikedgolf]

just walk in to your local clinic, they do them free for tons of people....:doh: :doh2:

[3THREE7]

i occasionally have to schedule my 6 month checkups with both my oncologists at least 8 months in advance. yeah its that bad. i'll leave messages every day with the person that handles all the referrals at my medical group and they never call me back. i would go in person but i live in norcal now so its a pain in the ass.

[madajb]

bless...the VA and free everything health!

It ain't free. You pay taxes just like everyone else.

-ajb

[JETTAone420]

speaking of the VA...has any of u true soldiers ever claimed disability after u got out?(that is if you've been deployed?) i ask cuz when u ets they stress that you should go and claim at least 30% from it even if you have nothing wrong (because it could show up later or something) but anyways ive been out since last june and im thinking of going and claiming it cuz if i sit for too long my knees make a popping sound, and it doesnt hurt or anything but its real annoying especially when im in a quite room and i go to stand up. also i know i fall under the weight loss category cuz since ive been out ive lost close to 10lbs already...so iwas wondering if it is too late?

[GTiGirl]

what insurance do you have and who is your pcp? we have healthnet insurance and go to ucsd and have great experiences. and, if I don't, I can call healthnet and complain. but that's never happened *knock on wood*. also, if your insurance has a website you can go online and change your pcp.

[karl]

i just go to the local urgent care and dont make an appt. just pay my copay and wait till they call me
blue cross/ blue shield ppo---thru the steel workers union

[ncttrnl]

I seem to have made it passed the first round of beauracracy... They have my name.

I now have to wait for a call telling me that I can schedule an appointment. The call is not to schedule an appointment. The call is to tell me I have the honor and the privledge of being able to call back and schedule an appointment.

[ncttrnl]

i occasionally have to schedule my 6 month checkups with both my oncologists at least 8 months in advance. yeah its that bad. i'll leave messages every day with the person that handles all the referrals at my medical group and they never call me back. i would go in person but i live in norcal now so its a pain in the ass.

That is weak sauce man!

I'm sorry to hear you have to put up with that shit after what you've already been through.

[Monster8V]

Hell, I got in right away! All I had to do was roll the race car a couple times, got a ride to the hospital, complete with xrays, CT scans, EKG all kinds of cool stuff!

Only cost me $9K!! And thats just the hospital bill. Still havent got the Radiologist, ER Dr., and whoever else stuck a needle in me that day bill.

[idrivea2002golf]

if you were in laguna niguel i would tell you to see my doctor. he's an awesome guy that i've been going to since i was born. he doesn't require appointments just show up and sign in. you'll be outta there in less than an hour.

[GTiGirl]

you could always just tell them it burns when you pee, or that you had unprotected sex with someone HIV+. that would probably get you in pretty quick. back when i had military insurance i used the "i think i'm pregnant" line to speed up the 2 month wait list for a gyno appt.

[JETTAone420]

you could always just tell them it burns when you pee, or that you had unprotected sex with someone HIV+. that would probably get you in pretty quick. back when i had military insurance i used the "i think i'm pregnant" line to speed up the 2 month wait list for a gyno appt.
gotta love the loop holes...

[FunkTron]

gotta love the loop holes...

we don't call them loopholes anymore.........we call it smashing poon......:tup2:

[Monster8V]

you could always just tell them it burns when you pee, or that you had unprotected sex with someone HIV+. that would probably get you in pretty quick. back when i had military insurance i used the "i think i'm pregnant" line to speed up the 2 month wait list for a gyno appt.

Actually, "chest pains" will get you in quicker than a severed limb. ;)