A remarkable story...

[nadinbrzezinski]

so I have been feeling quite under the weather over the last few days. Got a bad cold two weeks ago and the coughing really hasn't stopped.

So this morning, after two days of bad back pain and hacking I called the doctor. I talked to a triage nurse, nice lady and the doctor saw me today during her lunch hour.

We spend a good half an hour together going over history, got an order to dismiss pneumonia (what was on my mind) and said our good byes.

I paid my deductible, got the X-ray, went to pick some meds and came home.

So why is this a remarkable story? This happened in the US... I carry government insurance. In other FIRST WORLD countries this is a non story. But in the US this is remarkable. There are people who get a bad cold, that at times does not go away, and pneumonia does develop. These are the folks who end up at your local urgent care center when lucky, or your local ER going to the ICU... because they could not afford to take up the phone and call their doctor. Hell, they don't have a doctor.

This is one more reason why I say we aren't a first world country. When 48 million don't have the insurance, and a few more cannot afford this simple, at the doctor's, checkup at the lowest level of intervention... because they are under insured, there is a problem. Oh and realize... today's cost, not my deductible, the cost, was probably around 500 bucks at the upscale, due to the X-Ray... ICU... we are talking 3,000 day, on a minimum. An ER visit, 3,000 would not be over the top.

So I got lucky. I got insurance, guv'ment insurance, through my hubby. So I could do what I knew needs to be done.

Oh and it is not pneumonia... just my asthma kicking my ass. Either way, no access to care, would have meant a visit to the ER... and a few thousand dollars that I know we could not afford.

So this is the story... and it is remarkable, that this is even a story.

Think about it, why we need REAL health care reform. I want the rest of you to be able to pick up the phone, and call the triage nurse. I want this story to be very unremarkable... and in fact, common... Enough of the shit sandwich we are told to eat every day, and twice on Sunday.

[csziggy]

1. Heck, the triage nurse part of the story is remarkable

Since in the for profit system of health "care" most people do not have access to that amenity. Instead they have to actually pay to see a doctor, either through their insurance plan or out of pocket.

For years I have been frustrated that I get a more responsive system of care for my horses than I can for myself. I can call the veterinarian's office and talk to their assistants or to the vet themselves, describe the symptoms that concern me and decide if an actual visit by the vet is warranted. But I cannot do that for myself or for my husband.

Imagine how many health care dollars would be saved if everyone had access to a triage nurse to help patients figure out if they really do need to see a doctor!

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. This is my local UNIVERSITY hospital

and they believe in doing that.

The USN really didn't have those in Hawaii, but if the doctor said at the clinic, go to ER, you did.

[csziggy]

19. Our insurance company does have a nurse advocate program

For patients with serious problems or who are headed into surgery. They used to be 24 hours a day but have been cut back to regular office hours. And I do not think they do any triage for stuff like flu, just check prior to surgery to see if you are informed and ready and follow up to make sure everything is going OK and that you are getting care afterward. With the number of surgeries I've had in the last ten years, I know the drill almost as well as the nurses. :shrug:

I may have to check with them to see if they will do triage type advice - it certainly would make sense!

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. If we get a national system

it will need to happen... mostly it is very cost effective.

Hell, a well trained medic or PA could do this with a set of protocols as well.

[csziggy]

21. Yes - and that is the key, it is cost effective AND works for patients

Since it uses the doctor's time much more effectively.

I forgot to say - get to feeling better. My wheezing after my bout with the flu has finally cleared up but it took well over a month.

I know you must be familiar with the dangers of using steroids with any possibility of infection, but do watch for problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Infection, weight gain... I could recite them by now

Why I hate the damn things... but hey, if I need it, I need it, and thanks

The other thing is I never complain, but as a former medic I knew it wasn't a good thing.

[csziggy]

23. I don't dare use them

Back when nasal steroids were first introduced, my doctor thought they would help with my allergies and sinus problems. I ended up with serious sinus infections that took massive amounts of antibiotics to kick. Since I was also fighting what he thought was an infection that seemed to be antibiotic resistant, I ended up going through practically every antibiotic on the market.

Since, he diagnosed my asthma and allergies and we've managed to control those with singulair and zyrtec. My new doctor finally diagnosed the infection as a herpes infection so we now have a route to control it. But we've still got steroids listed on my "do not use" list - along with the antibiotics that I had allergic reactions to.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. She's using a low end on me

they work, they reduce the inflammation et al

Mine is generally controlled with the occasional albuterol... but the cold really kicked it into high gear

So will probably use them for the winter, and that's it.

I still hate them.

Now when dad fell and broke his hip and was smoking at home... lets just say we went into a full steroid treatment...

ten days of that junk...

Funny, two doses of it and I feel a tad better already and I know it is not the usual placebo effect...

Why I will TAKE the hinie vax... a simple cold throws me into this "crisis" I don't want to try a full course of the flu.

[csziggy]

25. Yes, I've GOT to get in and get the regular flu vax

And see if they will put me on the list for the H1N1 vax - though I may have already had that flu. (Hubby brought it home from work, then found out that a co-worker's child was confirmed as being H1N1 positive.)

It's great that a low end one works for you. Take care of yourself!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you for sharing this.

K&R

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. You welcome...

it is maddening that this is not the norm

[malaise]

3. Get well soon

and yes you're lucky. :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I started taking my steroids, AGGGH

so should be feeling much better after a couple of doses.

And I know HOW LUCKY I am, trust me.

I wanted to share, because this is a story that should not be uncommon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Oh and just occurred to me, I am sharing this with my delegation

time for them to hear these stories... as well

[Captain Hilts]

8. My ear/throat infection cost me over $400 this summer. I can't get insurance. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. That is why I want you to get it as good as I got

I am sure you'd rather be thrown into the briar patch of having to pay 12 for a copay, and 35 for the meds, only reason, for whatever reason Tricare does not have that particular med in the list right now. I wasn't going to argue. I know I got lucky and i need the damn steroids. With the cough syrup this will run max 70 bucks...

And no, I am not complaining, this should be STANDARD. And I am willing to share. In fact, I want to share. I insist on sharing. Why I also sent it to my delegation. Oh and if I tried to get insurance in the private market... quite a bit of hilarity will follow...

[Captain Hilts]

10. If only the congresscritters felt as you do....Get well soon. nt

[HappyCynic]

11. Health care you need

As a Canadian, I hope this whole health care/health insurance issue works out and that all Americans get the health care they need with a system that works for the people (both patients and medical care providers) rather than for the profits of the insurance companies.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. And in Canada my morning experience woudl be a non-story

I know.

Sad, ain't it?

[HappyCynic]

17. I think it would be a story

Definitely agree with you there. Well, mostly. If it happened in Canada exactly the way you described, I think it would be a story... The story would be more about the shock that you were forced to pay a deductible for a medically necessary procedure. (I assume the deductible was for the visit and/or the x-rays?) Depending on how much you paid for your meds, there might be a note about the absurd price you paid for the meds as well.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. True didn't think about that

I also realize that Americans would really think the care would be shitty if they didn't have to pay something for it.

No Guv'ment hand out fer me mentality sadly.

:-)

That is cultural.

I was a red cross medic in Tijuana, and people from this side of the border were shocked... we had NO billing department. Ok... there was a donation box in the ER by the nurse's station. So it was, how much for.... however much you feel you want or can give...

Funny, my bro was a doctor at Toronto Gen... so I am also familiar with the Canadian system. When my nieces were born they paid a little extra to get a private room...

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Well, then , I gotta share this:

I had to see my Dr. for a bad earache, and to rule out sinus infection.
Saw her last year for shingles, otherwise have not had any contact.
So I check in at the glass window, they double check my paperwork, and ask if I have insurance.
No insurance, I tell the sweet young chirpy receptionist.
I got a horrified look.
"NO insurance?", she asked, mouth falling open.
Same tone as in .." You eat children?"

Nope, says I , haven't got any.
I turn to go and glance behind me, and she and two other young ladies are huddled together whispering and looking at me as if I have 2 heads.
Dr. saw me very promptly, ruled out infection, laid some Republican right wing nonsense on me about
how all "us Christians" have to stand up and fight the socialist take over of the country, gave me directions for the ear problem, and I paid at the window.
57.00 dollars for office visit.
So, 57.00 for last year, 57.00 for this year.

Fine by me. I don't argue politics with someone who is poking in my ear.
But a friend sent me this very applicable quote after I related the dr. story:
" To argue with a person who has renounced reason is like administering medicine to the dead "
Thomas Paine

We don't need forced insurance premiums, we need decent affordable health care.
And it looks like we are not going to get it.
I can afford an office visit every once in awhile.
I cannot afford the monthly cost of health insurance.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. And if you got a catastrophic situation it can run into the

thousands of dollars.

Think about it.

Granted, my government plan is very affordable... as in EXTREMELY affordable. And why I keep telling my congress critters THAT SHOULD BE THE MODEL FOR NATIONAL HEALTH CARE... and if we got single payer, you'd still have to pay for it... and in fact, MY COST would go up.

Now I am not defending what they are doing, but if we want a national health care plan, we need universal participation. The mechanism they are choosing to use is German, not Canadian.

[rucky]

15. Same symptoms, here, but no insurance.

I'm popping Mucinex and hoping for the best.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. hugs, and if it gets bad the urgent care is much cheaper than

the ER.

Sad we have to think about this.

[autorank]

26. k*r Telling point

What looks routine can cost a great deal, like the monthly "payment" thek employer deducts for
your insurance. it's 10%-20% of the total cost. Those of us who work for ourselves know that
because we pay full boat - $1200-$1500 a month. Right. You think I'm a happy camper with the
bull shit health plans proposed. No way. I'm screwed whatever happens unless there is a
universally available public option (and there won't be). This message tells the truth and
it's an shocking one, mundane as it may seem.

Thanks Nadin!