I haven’t had health insurance in three years, which is a fact that netted me extensive media coverage. What better way to prove to the Republicans that we need national health care than to trot out my over-educated, do-gooder self. The problem with that is, and always has been, that even when I have access to western medicine, I rarely seek it out. I don’t like the doctor, I don’t like explaining myself and I never really feel like I’m sick enough to need to bother a clearly busy person with my tales of (minor) woe.
But I’m determined to turn that around. I am determined to be proactive with my new health care and get regular check ups. I am going to develop a rapport with a doctor who will establish a file on me with a detailed medical history. Together, we will document my health adventures so that when I eventually get cancer, we will have seen it coming.
My insurance officially kicked in February 1st, and I’ve been shockingly organized about the whole thing.
- I went to a meeting with the lady from the health insurance company and learned all kinds of things
- I asked around for personal recommendations for primary care doctors
- I filled out the paperwork and gave it to the HR lady in a timely manner
- I got an health insurance card
Except, apparently the soonest available appointment my doctor has, is not until April. This leads me to wonder: why the hell is she accepting new patients if she can’t see those patients for four months? I was prepared to get everything arranged, and then make an appointment for early February. I called in early January, so I thought that would be plenty of time, but apparently that’s not the case at all.
Now I’m resentful of the fact that I’m paying for insurance I’m not using, which is why I never elected to pay for insurance when I was underemployed (also, I couldn’t afford it). I could try to get in with another doctor, but then I’d have to change my primary care physician with my insurance company in order for them to cover it, which would take a while, and it seems like more trouble than its worth. Also, what if this is how it is with all doctors? A friend who has lived in several different states told me that Rhode Island is the only place she’s ever sought medical care where it takes forever to see a doctor. She said if you need to see a doctor right away, her physician always just says “go to an urgent care center.”
I also had to frantically try to find a solution to the issue of needing to have birth control, which my doctor’s receptionist was not helpful about at all. “The doctor won’t give you a prescription if you haven’t met with her.” she told me, and the doctor has not a moment of spare time until April, so I had to figure something else out.
People talk about health insurance like it’s the greatest thing in the world, and I’m sure, if you’re really sick, it is, but I am decidedly underwhelmed right now. I’m trying not to let me it get me down, but I’m sure by the time my appointment rolls around my stress level will be markedly higher than before I had insurance.
I’ve also been having some back trouble recently, for which I think I might like to see a chiropractor (maybe), but despite the facts that my insurance covers 20 visits, I cannot go to a chiropractor without a referral from my super-busy doctor. Considering the fact that I’ve been gimping around like an old lady, and have only run nine miles in the month of February (because of the pain), I’d like to get this looked at/adjusted as soon as I can.
In order to see a new doctor, I have to change my primary health physician. I have to find a doctor that accepts my HMO, notify my HMO of the change, make an appointment and then wait for a card to arrive in the mail. The whole situation seems remarkably ham-fisted.
Also, I got my dental insurance card in the mail yesterday, and they spelled my last name wrong. *sigh*
9 comments
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February 11, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Bri
That was very well said.
February 11, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Corrie
This must be the first month ever that I have run more miles than you. Sure, it took an injury on your part to make it happen but I am feeling smug nonetheless.
February 11, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Allison W. Cone
You may be able to get into an OB-GYN’s office sooner to get the birth control issue handled – typically, female patients can have a gyn separate from their primary care doc without a separate referral – but, of course, check with the insurance company. And, there’s Planned Parenthood if that doesn’t work – a doc there can see you, write the script and you’d be good to go.
As for the delay in getting in with the primary doc, since you’ve been having back pain and would like a referral to a chiro, you could call the primary doc’s office and request a “sick visit” the same day as you call. You are a runner, your back pain is preventing you from running. That means you are experiencing a medical condition which is interfering with your activities of daily living. That’s not healthy, that’s “sick”.
Good luck with it :o) And, good health too!
February 11, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Andria
@Allison–There’s a secret code as well!?!?! WTF! Thanks for the tip, I will try it out and see what happens. If that doesn’t work, I have another doctor’s name on deck, and I might just abandon Dr. FourMonthsWait without even meeting her.
And yes, Planned Parenthood did save the day. Love Planned Parenthood.
February 12, 2012 at 2:18 am
heidi
I would cancel your appt and find a nurse practioner for your primary. Just saying…. I would never go back to a regular MD.
February 12, 2012 at 7:51 pm
fargojones
I agreewith Heidi. Does your insurance company have a list of people in their network you can call first before making a decision? That wait isn’t as bad here, but when we needed to see a neurospecialist for Wifes chronic pain one summer, it took 2 months of waiting and constant crying from the pain for the doctor to see her,shedule two other tests and then see her again in 3 months for an evaluation of those tests, and she wouldn’t prescribe anything for the pain in the meantime. So when people say that Canada has long wait times, I just laugh. So do we.
February 13, 2012 at 1:48 am
Jen
I would be happy to recommend a great nurse practitioner and she is also a CNM, so can do all your birth control bills/womanly issues as well. I think you would really like her because she is very laid back and easy going . . . not the usual medical type at all.
February 13, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Elizabeth L.
I think most doctors have longer wait times for ordinary checkups. Now, I’ve never heard of a new patient being made to wait that long (they really want your business!), but I suppose every doctor is different. In order to get an appointment with my OBGYN, I have to call 6 months in advance. She only does a few annual visits a day, so she doesn’t have much to choose from.
I say find another doctor. I’ve had people recommend doctors to me that I haven’t liked at all, and the most important thing is to find one that you feel super comfortable with. Check out your provider list, pick a location or a hospital that’s convenient to you, and then do some research on the doctor. There are all sorts of health ratings online, so finding information shouldn’t be terribly difficult.
February 14, 2012 at 12:20 am
heidi
Also, in my experience, nurse practioners are much more holistic, and spend more time with you per appt.