Today's edition of "i hate healthcare"

[SusanBAnthony]

With a side dish of "parenting sucks". Feel free to add your complaints. There is no purpose to this post other than venting my annoyance.

We had a family practice doc appt for an ADHD med check. We schedule them in advance because its the only way to get appointments that don't cause DS to miss school and us to have to take a half day of vacation.

They canceled the appointment with 1 week notice.

I just spent over 20 minutes on the phone trying to reschedule it because they have no appointments until DECEMBER. All because they had to change the appointment!

So in summary:

1. 20 min is ridiculous to reschedule a simple check up
2. Having to do these stupid appointments ever 3 months for a med he has been on for 5+ years with zero issues is ridiculous
3. Not having appointments held for these kind of things is ridiculous. How is "see yah in Dec" an acceptable plan?
4. Now the appointment is in the middle of the day, BAH.

In conclusion I hate everything.

[countthestars]

Ugh, that sucks. Will they not do telehealth? My psych is able to do telehealth check ins for my ADHD meds and it's usually a 2-3 minute call.

[circa1978]

It very much sucks, you have every right to be frustrated and I know solutions are not always wanted/not helpful at the moment but once DS got to a certain age, it was super helpful for us to have a psychiatrist do his meds, because we went through a clusterF of changes when puberty hit and our pedi couldn't deal. We also do telehealth and she just needs to see him in person once a year I think.

[ssmjlm]

That reminds me when the only place that had the Covid booster for kids was the pedi and their booster clinic was Wednesdays from 9-12.

Ummm, it’s for the 5-12 group that are all in school.

Why not pay some OT to do evenings?

[luckystar2]

Omg these 3 month med checks DRIVE ME INSANE!!!! We are in same boat, stable on same med for years. These visits are a literal waste of time. The Dr asks a few questions. My moody teenager shrugs her shoulders. I say things are fine the way they are. And we are done. And it costs me time and money and is taking up the dr’s time. I was at least happy during Covid that we could do these by telehealth. Otherwise there is no way we could make this work. Between school and sports she has no free time with their schedule. And the fact that they think taking a kid out of school for this is ok is ridiculous!!

The last couple times I’ve set up the appts they say in person and I’m like no. We’ve done these telehealth. Well we are trying not to do telehealth that much anymore. Too bad. I am not driving there and back and waiting for just a 5 min useless appt. Not to mention exposing ourselves to germs at a pediatrician’s office.

It makes me so angry. I I’ve complained and the dr said they are required. But I don’t see how this is necessary for kids who’ve been on stable meds for years. This 5 min appt isn’t giving any useful information. When she was actively seeing a therapist (the one who originally recommended meds), I asked if they could just use our therapist notes in lieu of an appt. And they said no. She has far better info and insight about this than the 5 min appt with pediatrician.

[maudefindlay]

That really sucks. DS2 only has to do every 6 months and one of those we combine with his annual well visit.

[honeydew1894]

This was me today, but for the kids' physicals. I already miss a ton of work due to DD's therapies. I would like them not to miss school for a physical. I am sorry. We do have a psych for med management, and ditto to the once a year in person/zoom visits being life savers.

[mainelyfoolish]

Ditto on the every 3 month med checks. I have two kids on ADHD meds, so at least 6 med check appointments between the two of them each year (if we can manage to schedule their annual well visits to count as the fourth med check). And their pediatrician only does telehealth on Wednesdays between 8 and noon. To minimize missed school time, the parent handling the appointment will check the kid out of school, do the telehealth appointment on the phone in the car in the school parking lot, then send the kid back to school.

[fluffycookie]

We switched practices to go from 3 to 6 months. When it was telehealth every 3 months didn’t bother me, but once they made us come in in-person and they were routinely running almost 45 minutes late I was done and found a new practice.

[nicanmatt]

My daughter goes to a specialist ophthalmologist that is over an hour away from home. I called today because she woke up with a fever and her 6 month appt is Wednesday. The first appointment they had open, to reschedule, is APRIL. So now I will be taking my super sick kid to their office in the middle of a busy medical building. Thankfully it's "just" an ear/sinus infection but my kid is SUPER not feeling good and I had to take 1/2 day to deal with all this today, on top of tomorrows planned appt. APRIL?! I am seriously considering a new eye doc.

[cricketwife]

My is minor compared to yours,  but….
In July, I messaged my PCP provider for a referral to the dermatologist to have a skin tag removed. Like, it’s stupid to even need a referral for that. (And also now that I’ve done it, I realize I could have totally just bought OTC stuff to freeze it off at home.)

Then I get a bill - from the PCP for the “office visit”.  They consider the damn message and referral an office visit.  

But I have an HRA which covers it.  But I continue to get bills.  Then overdue notices. Then threats of sending to collections for $31.91.  Ffs. 

I finally log in and see that my HRA has, in fact, paid the bill.  So then I spend 40 minutes on multiple phone calls to the billing folks for the PCP side and to my HRA. Incompetence reigns all around. I finally get a check number for them to research. They say it will be researched in 2-3 days.  It’s been 10 days and I’m still getting damn billing notices! All this over $31.91 and a stupid skin tag.  

[mich1]

DH has a pit tumor and is under treatment with an endocrinologist because this pit tumor, while being medically managed, is fouling up all his hormones. He gets bloodwork done twice/year (unless he's feeling off) and sees the doctor yearly. His yearly appointment was last Thursday, and he was getting his blood drawn Wed. so the doc would have the results for his appointment. Doctor is off on 'indefinite medical leave'. Right now, DH takes 4 meds to medically manage this (one injectable, which adds a whole 'nuther layer of difficulty since it's not in a pen, he needs the supplies to inject too). There is only one other endocrinologist on staff and she's not taking new patients, otherwise he needs to go to the city - 100 miles away. Hopefully, they'll just continue his refills as needed.

I HATE the medical options here. That's the reason why we will probably leave (what we think is) paradise and move closer into the city so that we can be reasonably sure the local hospitals won't kill us. We have had too many friends have too many issues to be comfortable should something more serious happen. Right now, I only see the GP in town, I see an orthopedist and GYN in the city.

[Saudade]

Ugh omfg I hate the every 3 month med checks. My kid is stable on his meds. It’s completely unnecessary. They won’t do refills in the off months unless the next visit is already scheduled. It is a waste of my time and money. Every time I go I have to pay $350 because my deductible is so high. It’s infuriating.

I don’t make my patients do 3 months if they’re stable on their meds. I do 6 months for most because I know what a hassle and waste it is.

[mysteriouswife]

I’m in the same hell. Just give us the meds and let our kids live a somewhat mental normal life.

[pinkdutchtulips]

I had a visit to the eye doc, first time in 2y. I walked out $1200 poorer bc progressive lenses and 2 pairs. Ironic part is that I have insurance 🙄

[sadlebred]

Over $900/month for COBRA, but it's still cheaper and better than anything on the Exchange. Ugh. Also, 2 of my doctors left the big hospital system I go to. I'm looking for new doctors.

[mrspez07]

I've had a rash on my face intermittently since August. I did a telehealth (random doctor) visit and got something to put on it. It didn't go away and recently got worse. Called my dermatologist and their "first available" was 6 weeks out. I ask if there was anything sooner as it was ON MYFACE (which I had to say at work because of course I had to leave a msg initially). They got me in for 3 weeks out. Still way too long for something this visible and bordering on "urgent". They scolded me last time because I had used telegealth. But if you aren't easily available, why wouldn't I?!

[expectantsteelerfan]

I'll add mine...my ds is 15 and has a tree nut allergy, but hasn't had a reaction since he was 3 years old, when we did allergy testing after he had 2 reactions (both to cashews, testing showed pistachios too). He avoids eating actual cashews or pistachios or things that clearly contain those 2 nuts, but eats things that say 'may contain/be processed with tree nuts' and eats all other nuts.
He hasn't been tested since then (and we moved several times), but his Pedi. always prescribes an EpiPen for him since his reaction was anaphylactic.

Ds decided he would like to find out if by chance he has outgrown the allergy, so at his well-check, we asked the Pedi. about options to see an allergist. She was like, oh sure, you don't need a referral, here is a list of all the Dr.s in our health system, which I put in my purse and we left. I got home, and there was 1 Dr. listed under allergist, and it's located at the actual hospital downtown, which is super inconvenient.

I asked on our local fb group if there were any other allergists that take my insurance, and there is one that is highly recommended right down the road from us. No idea why they were listed on the form, but I called and verified they take our insurance. I also thought it was amusing that the woman I talked to was telling me what to expect and was like, it's a 3 hour appt. and then was like, we actually have a cancellation for tomorrow, can you come tomorrow at 10 AM? And I was like, uh, I was expecting a super long wait, we'd rather schedule at a time when he won't miss an entire day of school. She was able to get me in on a day we have off in Nov., which I also felt like was pretty quick.

So overall I'm happy about this, but I think it's ridiculous that our Pedi. didn't know about this allergist and only gave us info. for a Dr. 45 min. away.

[shauni27]

somewhat related, the healthcare system here has a stupid policy for ADHD meds for adults--that you have to come in every 6 months for an eval and a drug test. Which is only used to check for the appropriate levels of the medication for which you are prescribed, but is enough to scare my THC loving husband from getting on the medications he needs to manage his ADHD.

**this is also a stupid husband issue, not just healthcare, lol.

[midwestmama]

Mine is minor compared to some, but I recently wanted to switch doctors/offices (within the same healthcare system) so that we are all together at the same office, and be at the office closest to our home. The first available appointments were in March. We can still utilize the doctors at the current locations for more immediate needs, if they arise. (I haven't tried, but I assume trying to schedule for "immediate needs" also means weeks or months out.)

[luckystar2]

Oct 15, 2024 22:34:09 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

I've had a rash on my face intermittently since August. I did a telehealth (random doctor) visit and got something to put on it. It didn't go away and recently got worse. Called my dermatologist and their "first available" was 6 weeks out. I ask if there was anything sooner as it was ON MYFACE (which I had to say at work because of course I had to leave a msg initially). They got me in for 3 weeks out. Still way too long for something this visible and bordering on "urgent". They scolded me last time because I had used telegealth. But if you aren't easily available, why wouldn't I?!

I had a derm office I’m a patient at. I got a rash all over my torso a few years ago. I called and they said the next appt was in like 3 months. Wtf! I get they are busy but derms should have some urgent appts available for things like ITCHY RASHES that need to be seen soon. I ended up going to my pcp and they were clueless. I had already googled and told them what I thought it was. To which they also were searching it up online in front of me and agreed with MY diagnosis. At least they were able to prescribe me something to help with the itching and irritation.

[basilosaurus]

I wonder how much of it is policy set by the office vs a state board or even the fda.

I used to manage a psych clinic, and we were required apparently do do a check in every 30 days even if long term and stable (only saw adults). For a med I took, not adhd, I also had to physically be present every 30 days to get refill script, pre-covid, so the in person might have changed.

Those appts for adhd long term patients were really 5 minutes as you've said. As the scheduler, I had no problem slotting them in any day or time that worked for them, even same day usually could be managed, and it was a small enough geographic area we served that most people weren't driving more than 10 minutes.

Either it's really necessary every 3 months, in which case they should make room, or it isn't so they put you off an extra 2 months. So which is it? I might be inclined to push back for the next one and say if 5 months was fine last time, that's what we'll be doing going forward.

[glw]

After waiting for months to see an orthopaedist for my rotator cuff tear, he asked me 3 questions from across the room and told me I could either have surgery, or not. (Which...duh?) When I asked which activities I should keep avoiding as to not make the tear worse, he told me to "let my pain be the guide" on that and left the room. 

[sent]

Oct 16, 2024 6:43:49 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

So overall I'm happy about this, but I think it's ridiculous that our Pedi. didn't know about this allergist and only gave us info. for a Dr. 45 min. away.

I can see where the pediatrician's list hasn't been updated in a while because of a "that's not my job" situation and then it's no one's job. Also insurance and that kind of stuff changes a lot to be able to keep those lists current and relevant for every patient. Staffing has been an enormous challenge post-COVID. I'm going through a huge overhaul of this type of stuff in my own office right now (referral lists, patient paperwork, etc.) because I finally have people working for me who aren't looking to job hop and don't have the "that's not my job" persona. 

[jinkies]

I have a dental related complaint-- I went 30+ years with the same dentist, then lucked into another great dentist when the first one retired. Unfortunately since she closed her practice, I have bounced around to several bad dentists and not found anyone that I both like and takes my insurance.

The last one I went to took xrays that looked clear, then did some advanced camera evaluation thing that took forever and also was clear, hygienist cleaned my teeth and said they looked fine, then the dentist came in and declared that I needed 6 fillings. It was bizarre. I told her that I would like to just wait and see on those. When I went back 6 months later for my next cleaning, they gave me a really hard time about why I had never filled my "cavities". I never went back, then my insurance changed, and it ended up being over a year before I prioritized finding another dentist.

I went to a new practice today. They again did a full set of xrays and full exam. I was prepared for at least one cavity, or at least a lecture about how my teeth have soft spots that they need to keep an eye on. Lo and behold, they said my teeth looked great and they had no concerns.

This is why I have trust issues.

[noodleoo]

Oct 16, 2024 6:43:49 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

So overall I'm happy about this, but I think it's ridiculous that our Pedi. didn't know about this allergist and only gave us info. for a Dr. 45 min. away.

I can never get useful referrals from our pedi office. Everyone has different insurance, I imagine it is really hard for them to keep it updated. I wouldn't blame this one on the office. I always have to find specialists that take our insurance on my own, usually through the insurance portal is the best way.

[noodleoo]

Oct 16, 2024 13:20:47 GMT -5 jinkies said:

I have a dental related complaint-- I went 30+ years with the same dentist, then lucked into another great dentist when the first one retired. Unfortunately since she closed her practice, I have bounced around to several bad dentists and not found anyone that I both like and takes my insurance.

The last one I went to took xrays that looked clear, then did some advanced camera evaluation thing that took forever and also was clear, hygienist cleaned my teeth and said they looked fine, then the dentist came in and declared that I needed 6 fillings. It was bizarre. I told her that I would like to just wait and see on those. When I went back 6 months later for my next cleaning, they gave me a really hard time about why I had never filled my "cavities". I never went back, then my insurance changed, and it ended up being over a year before I prioritized finding another dentist.

I went to a new practice today. They again did a full set of xrays and full exam. I was prepared for at least one cavity, or at least a lecture about how my teeth have soft spots that they need to keep an eye on. Lo and behold, they said my teeth looked great and they had no concerns.

This is why I have trust issues.

OMG SAME.  I have so many trust issues due to a bad experience with a dentist.  I found a good one, but then I moved away and I continued to drive 45 min to see my old one until she moved out of state.  It took me 3 years to find a new dentist that I trust.  She's actually the mom of one DD1's daycare friends and I'm so lucky we found her even thought it was a little weird to see her as a patient at first.  It feels so good to actually trust her.

I'm so glad you didn't listen to that first dentist!

[litskispeciality]

jinkies, I found my dentist of about 10 years now due to going to a different dentist who tried to sell me on 10 cavity fillings or something crazy. An even bigger flag went off because I was waiting in the lobby and heard another parent on the phone "they say Johnny has x cavities and needs to have them filled right away!" Funny how everyone just had a bad mouth. My now dentist was awesome about doing a second opinion check and finding a special x-ray clause that you only get every so many years. Now I'm almost worried if they're missing work, but I never feel like they drill just to make a payment, and they're a private practice who can use the money.

I also saw a special years ago about Aspen Dental and how it's run like a for-profit college. It's frightening, basically they were incentivized to do extra unnecessary work and get patients to sign up for very high interest credit cards to pay for it as dental insurance (if you even have it) barely covers anything. My dad was stuck having to see Aspen for a bit as he said that was the only dentist in network on his insurance at the time (not sure if this is true). He said they treated his mouth like a goldmine so he just stopped going all together.

[fumbalina]

I fell and broke my leg two weeks ago. The ER gave me 20 pills to be taken every six hours. So as prescribed 5 days. They lasted me 6 and when I got a pain scrip from the follow-up with an orthopedist 7 days later, my insurance kept putting off thr day they could be filled until it was 10 days past the initial and my husband started yelling about my lack of pain meds with a broken leg, sprained ankle, broken finger and staples in my head. I don't see how they thought we were med seeking when ER does not prescribe anything long term and they had the medical information.

Then I have issues with the weirdness of go to the doc then get bloodwork. But all told most of it just doesn't make sense.

[EvieEthelGarland]

Oct 15, 2024 19:42:26 GMT -5 mich1 said:

DH has a pit tumor and is under treatment with an endocrinologist because this pit tumor, while being medically managed, is fouling up all his hormones. He gets bloodwork done twice/year (unless he's feeling off) and sees the doctor yearly. His yearly appointment was last Thursday, and he was getting his blood drawn Wed. so the doc would have the results for his appointment. Doctor is off on 'indefinite medical leave'. Right now, DH takes 4 meds to medically manage this (one injectable, which adds a whole 'nuther layer of difficulty since it's not in a pen, he needs the supplies to inject too). There is only one other endocrinologist on staff and she's not taking new patients, otherwise he needs to go to the city - 100 miles away. Hopefully, they'll just continue his refills as needed.

I HATE the medical options here. That's the reason why we will probably leave (what we think is) paradise and move closer into the city so that we can be reasonably sure the local hospitals won't kill us. We have had too many friends have too many issues to be comfortable should something more serious happen. Right now, I only see the GP in town, I see an orthopedist and GYN in the city.

My endo went out on indefinite medical leave and she sadly has passed.  The office kept up with all my stuff needed for T1D and now a year since my last appointment and 6 months since she passed, I just saw the new hire last week.  Hopefully they keep your H well stocked as they should be well aware of the desert they're in.  I'm not sure of what kind of syringes he needs but insulin syringes are available OTC.

I live in the Seattle area and we used to want to move to Idaho (for the beauty, not the politics) but will be staying put for the healthcare access. 

My son gets 6mo scripts for his ADHD meds and I messed up the scheduling and they extending it to 8. 

My dentist of 23 years is retiring and I am so nervous.  Turns out new endo's husband just opened a sole provider practice so I'm crossing my fingers!