Maybe that's why this bottle of pills was stuffed with chocolate-covered cotton.

(Seriously though, what's up? Some personal tribulations with "the best health care system in the world?")

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"Respect mah authoritah!" - Fred Cartman Thompson

The Mrs. has a minor (we hope) bug, nothing serious. It's absurd that just about the only option is to go to the ER. There are these new "urgent care" facilities, but you may not even see a doctor and most of them are only open after hours.

I hear ya. That's one reason I'm ambivalent about the spread of these mini-clinics in pharmacies. I realize that some issues are competently addressed by an LPN, but I dread having to look around for actual care - like running down a new specialist, e.g.

One example from my recent past: I had to rebook an appointment with a specialist in mid-October. The next day that they would book me for was Dec. 7. I'm not a new patient, even.

It's a total monopoly mentality.

I'd sooner deal with airlines than to have to deal with doctors.

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With the possible exception of things like box scores, race results, and stock market tabulations, there is no such thing as Objective Journalism. The phrase itself is a pompous contradiction in terms.

I got a letter from my insurance company last week. They have decided that they overpaid their part of my hospital bill for surgery I had last April.

From a bill of over $23K, for which my part was paid in full last June, it seems that I now owe another $16.44. I can't help wondering if this is their final decision or if they will be back for more.

I wish I could have kept my old appendix, I could mail it to them along with the check.

Wearybottom Associates

She sent me to a specialist, who examined me and set a date for the operation. I went back to the regular doctor after about 6 weeks to update her on the outcome. Frowning a little, she asked me why I had come. When I told her, she gasped, stiffened and asked," What operation? I never approved an operation for you. Someone must be using my name!"

After much stomping around, coming and going, and a lot of snarling, I come to find out she thought she was sending me for an exam, then expected the specialist to contact her and tell her the results so she could "approve" the operation. Apparently I would then be called back in by her again, so she could tell me yes, the operation was okay. Geez! More copays!

I told her I didn't need her approval because my insurance hasn't got a primary doctor clause but oh! I guess she missed that. Anyway she was all bent-out of shape, and I was surly and horrified she was so confused. I had wanted to get a prescription filled, but first she said I would have to see a social worker "because I seemed like a very nervous person". I assured her my nervousness was temporary and mostly based on the fact that she didn't seem to know the first thing about me or my operation. After that she started drawing diagrams about old age and the damage vitamins could do. I wasn't taking a lot of vitamins was I? I finally had to tell her that it was SHE who was making me feel crazy and angry and stressed. Her eyes got big, but she didn't respond, so I told her I was quitting. The minute I walked out a great feeling of empowerment and good health swept over me. My new doctor is fantastic and remembers what he has or hasn't done very clearly

I don't know why some folks who are against a national healthcare system bring up waiting lists. I called my doctor in September to make an appointment as I am concerned about some symptoms I'm having. I was told that they did not have any openings until January but they could not make an appointment for me because they would not start booking January appointments until the end of October. A waiting list almost sounds like a good thing in comparison.

Not only do you get sick you have to hit rock bottom to get help from a system you have under law funded all your life. The truly terrible part is the fact you must pay premiums to social insurance and private insurance and yet you are not covered fully...some social security. I really don't see how a national health care system could be worse unless you are a multi-millionaire lawmaker making a fortune in pharmacy stock.

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Trying to not make matters worse.

I have used an "urgent care" facility a couple of times, both during normal business hours and both times I saw a doctor. I was really very happy with the care I got both times. And the cost was reasonable. Here is the URL for a local chain that has a facility in Alcoa. I used the Kingston Pike one myself a few years back.
I know that sometimes you do end up seeing a PA instead of a doctor at these places, but my experience with PA's (and nurse practitioners) has always been great -- often better than with doctors -- so that wouldn't bother me. YMMV of course.
(link...)

Licensed Practioners are very capable. Physicians assistants too. A large percentage of doctor visits are for very simple things. I think the doctors keep scheduling people to return because each visit is a copay. They tend to prescribe, then set another appointment two weeks later to see how you're doing. If you doing fine, this feels silly. Why don't they just say call right away if you have any problems?

One office, when told it would be self-pay, refused to make an appointment.

This shocked me. We tell most of our medical pros we are self-pay since our deductible is quite high. They said they had too many people walk out without paying. Maybe they should take deposits when people walk in?

I also find it very frustrating when they ask about the insurance. Then they have to qualify, if you have GoodInsurance type 1 they'll take you but if you have GoodInsurance type 2 they will not.

Stopped by a dentist office the other day just to check it out. They too were primarily focused on insurance. Not that I have dental insurance, but they wouldn't take GoodInsurance at all. Said they pay too slow.