Unfortunately I’m not talking about tennis or badminton. And yest before you read further – you should probably know this is going to end up being a rant.
My husband went to the doctor for his checkup and was told – you must get tested for Hep C. He’s not at risk for it, has none of the symptoms. But it seems to be the latest “NECESSARY” test we’re all supposed to fall in line to get.
The doctor said – the insurance will pay for it. I wish he’d talk to my insurance because the blood test cost us $67. To be fair, when I read through Mayo Clinic’s at risk people, he falls into two of the categories. Perhaps it is worthwhile to have him tested – perhaps.
To me it sounds like yet another way to squeeze money out of the patient and into the medical insanity we call health care – for profit health care. We’re supposed to get flu and pneumonia and shingles shots. But not once – no every year. This pumps chemicals into our bodies – what are these shots really made of? Also the people who get these shots still get the flu – so what is the point? I never get the shots and I rarely have flu issues.
We’re supposed to have all these tests – paps smear, mammogram, colonoscopy. Yes they are important health checks – but do they really need to be so often? We have a HUGE population over 50 if everyone over 50 is supposed to get these how much money does that make the doctors, hospitals, insurances, and so on.
What happened to a doctor actually taking the time to listen to their patient, address their questions, and showing concern and care for their patience.
I’ve been working with a rheumatologist for six months. She asks a lot of questions, she’s run up a ton of bills for us in the way of blood tests and xrays and yet, I still don’t have a diagnosis, treatment plan, or relief from the pain I went to her with in the first place. I’d ask her questions and get brushed off. The attitude was – do what I say and don’t ask questions. When I didn’t agree with her next test – which would have cost me even more money and asked for an alternative treatment – she told me no with no explanation. When I objected, I was told I should find a different rheumatologist. Yes, I will but it means being in pain for another six months while I wait for an appointment to get in to the new doctor. Basically the last six months of visits, tests, and drugs has been a complete waste of time.
We need to put health care on the not for profit line. We need to reign in the insurance companies, the profiteers of the drug companies, and stop the horrible practices currently going on in our medical community. We need to start treating the individual.
At this stage I don’t trust any of my doctors enough to take their advice at face value. I don’t believe in them or believe they have my best interest in mind. I think they are showing up to fill their pockets and don’t care about my quality of life. Until one of them proves otherwise, I’m going to be stubborn about saying no to everything until they can explain the options available, the reasons they are choosing this treatment over another, and offer me a say in my own treatment.