I hate the medical industry

[Anonymous]

I had to leave my original primary care physician because the practice turned into country club care. They started charging $1200 a year per person just to be able to "join the club" and make an appointment. Then charged regular office visits on top of that.
I am a pretty healthy person so this just didn't make financial sense.
I switched to Virginia Mason.

A few months ago I had pain near my gallbladder. Saw my PCP then went for an ultrasound. Exam and ultrasound was inclusive (but at least eliminated the possibility it was gallstone.). Several hundred dollar out-of-pocket expense with no answers. Fine - whatever.

A month ago I had the pain again. That day, I stopped into the office on my way home from work to see if they could uncover something while I was in active pain. I did not see my PCP as she was off that day. I saw my PCP's colleague.
No answers - $322 ($150 out-of-pocket expense.) FIne.

THree days later I see my PCP for annual physical which is covered 100% YEAH! During my 20 appointment, we discuss my gall bladder pain for less than 5 minutes. PCP said she would discuss with colleague who saw me 3 days ago and would get back to me with possible suggestions. One month later, I haven't heard from her. BUT I do get a bill for the physical $0 cost to me and an $180 office visit. Under NO circumstances did my appointment get extended because we talked about my gallbladder. I am flaming mad that Virginia Mason has the balls to charge me for an office visit which occurred within my allotted annual physical time.

THe total cost for my 20 minute office visit was over $500 with a primary care physician (not with a specialized brain surgeon or some other specialty.) and that doesn't include the typical blood work which was $400 but luckily covered at 100%.

I see more and more small practices being bought by hospital conglomerates, run like businesses to maximize profits for the top investors and this experience is just the tip of the iceburg! Medical care in this country will just get worse and worse. Obamacare has ensured this!

[Anonymous]

Call them and challenge the extra $180 and say you're still waiting for a call back 1 month later. Kick ass.

[Anonymous]

I love my "country club" doctor. I get half of the annual membership cost back from my insurance (it is billed as the annual physical). All other appointments are billed to insurance with no cost sharing to me. He always returns my calls. I have his cell phone number and email. He can refer me to a cadre of specialists who will see me immediately.

I found a breast lump a month ago. I emailed my doctor at 6pm. He called a breast surgeon. She called me back within an hour and made an appointment for me the next morning at 8:30 am. I had an ultrasound, she drained a cyst and sent it for a biopsy and I was out by 9:05am. No cost to me at all -- just directly billed to my insurance.



Now that is an amazing medical system.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should find another practice. If their general health philosophy or practices don't match with yours, keep looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my "country club" doctor. I get half of the annual membership cost back from my insurance (it is billed as the annual physical). All other appointments are billed to insurance with no cost sharing to me. He always returns my calls. I have his cell phone number and email. He can refer me to a cadre of specialists who will see me immediately.

I found a breast lump a month ago. I emailed my doctor at 6pm. He called a breast surgeon. She called me back within an hour and made an appointment for me the next morning at 8:30 am. I had an ultrasound, she drained a cyst and sent it for a biopsy and I was out by 9:05am. No cost to me at all -- just directly billed to my insurance.



Now that is an amazing medical system.

The procedure was at no cost to you because of your level of insurance not because you go to a country club doctor, right?

[Anonymous]

It's standard practice to order a HIDA scan for gallbladder pain in addition to the ultrasound. However, it's not a cheap procedure.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you are part of the problem here. Do you really go to the doctor and pursue expensive tests every time you feel a twinge of pain somewhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's standard practice to order a HIDA scan for gallbladder pain in addition to the ultrasound. However, it's not a cheap procedure.

+1. I'm surprised your doc didn't order a HIDA.

It is pretty common for doctors to charge for a regular office visit if you talk about pretty much anything during your routine physical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you are part of the problem here. Do you really go to the doctor and pursue expensive tests every time you feel a twinge of pain somewhere?[/quote

Twinge of pain....? Try pain similar to labor contractors at 8 CM dilated without an epidural for 8 straight hours and happening now 2x a month instead of just ever 3- 4 months.
But then again, you must be a guy to demand sex everytime your penis fills up with all the blood from your brain and causes some discomfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my "country club" doctor. I get half of the annual membership cost back from my insurance (it is billed as the annual physical). All other appointments are billed to insurance with no cost sharing to me. He always returns my calls. I have his cell phone number and email. He can refer me to a cadre of specialists who will see me immediately.

I found a breast lump a month ago. I emailed my doctor at 6pm. He called a breast surgeon. She called me back within an hour and made an appointment for me the next morning at 8:30 am. I had an ultrasound, she drained a cyst and sent it for a biopsy and I was out by 9:05am. No cost to me at all -- just directly billed to my insurance.



Now that is an amazing medical system.

+1 This is why "country club doctors" charge an annual fee. They make a lot less money than people think so charging an annual fee helps them out. Most of these doctors provide excellent service as part of the charge.