Here is an addition to the previous post. A friend emailed me with information, and I got back on my soapbox and added to the rant. Below is an excerpt with some changes to protect the privacy of the friend…
My close friend writes, “The assembly line scenario really hit home too. I had my post-op last week. My [doctor] did NO follow-up care what so ever. I came ready to pee in a cup. Did they want a sample? No way Jose? I told the nurse I was ready to provide a nice cup a pee for her. She said she didn't want it unless there was a problem. I ask you this...how are they going to know if there is a problem or not if they don't take a sample??? Duh!! And I am not even a rocket scientist! I didn't get weighed, no blood pressure, no [additional questions]. Just a quick [exam] and a $30.00 co-pay. I had to practically corner the doctor to get answers to my barrage of questions... which was a little hard to do when I wasn't wearing anything [but a paper gown]. Well...Eastern or Western health care...I don't know...but what I do know is that I am getting a new [doctor].”
My response…
I totally feel that people are simply rushed through, but I firmly believe that it is not from the incompetence of the employees, caregivers or doctors, but instead a function of the insurance. That pee in a cup causes HOURS of additional work (to get it to the lab, to get it APPROVED by the insurance, to get the paperwork to submit to insurance, to get the billing straight, to get it back and give results, and the time it takes) and in the end, if these items can be cut out of the process, then they are because offices can no longer afford to offer comprehensive care because they cant afford the time and hassle it takes to get paid... I imagine it is HOURS of work for a 5-minute procedure. Peeing in a cup has become such a complex, cumbersome and burdensome process that it simply gets cut out of the picture.
The results are people leave on office for another, so it becomes a double hit for the office. The office is stretched to its limits and they have a choice... cut insurance companies and then they are cutting patients in need of care, or cut procedures and rush people through, in which they lose patients like you because of the decrease in service level. Do they want to cut this out and make less for more work? I would say no. I have to believe no. But the insurance companies have created this monster.
The insurance companies win because what happens is the patient blames the caretaker and the caretaker is essentially powerless to change anything without the public's hand in the matter, but then the public individual NEEDS coverage and generally gets coverage through an insurance company, so they aren't going to make waves because insurance paid on ones own is out of this world expensive. So, what happens is the patient does nothing other than switch doctors (and not blaming them either because who the hell has time to deal with this or become an activist as a full time job???) and then the doctors just get more and more patients rushed through and the insurance companies sit comfortably behind the scenes because they know that it is way too much hassle for the little man to do anything about this, AND on top of this all, THEY (the insurance companies) have WAY MORE RESOURCES to lobby OUR govt in keeping this whole stupid system. Who suffers most? The kids and the elderly and the impoverished. The groups in our society MOST IN NEED! At least the average Joe can switch doctors. Some have even less choice. Some do not have healthcare at all!
This is a call for healthcare reform! I would LOVE to do more, but I don't know where to start. Can one man make a difference? Sadly no. I cannot make a difference, but if WE collectively pushed for change, we CAN make a difference. This last election proves this to us. I suppose this is a call to keep the movement going and to really evaluate the root causes of some of these problems. It is not the patient screwing with the system. It is not illegal aliens using emergency services. It is not the malpractice insurance screwing the doctor. It is not the greedy uncaring physicians who simply want more more more. Does anyone think that this is propaganda of those few who run this scheme? Maybe or maybe not. I truly believe it is the structure of the healthcare system that is hurting us and benefiting the few at the top. Sound similar? Maybe we have a structural issue with more than just healthcare.
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I think I could go on for hours about the problem. Please challenge my thoughts. Next time I will be doing some research and have some hard data to back my opinions. After all, they are ONLY OPINIONS but good opinions are grounded in empirical evidence, so I plan to offer just that. Ciao!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the insurance companies, HMO's, etc. play a key role in the lack of healthcare in this country. It is virtually impossible to be treated for a symptom or an ailment let alone try and get preventative care. I would have to also make the claim that this is because the healthcare in this country has become a business and the connection between patient and caregiver (doctor or whatever) is completely lost. I would suggest to your friend to try a Naturopath doctor. They are a bit more expensive and rarely are convered by insurance, but by god they sure as hell get the job done....in my experience anyway. I think the first step to changing anything - legislatively - is to contact local, state, and federal representatives to let them know that this is a problem we care about and that we will not rest until there is change.
ReplyDeleteKudos my dear.
xoxo