Last week I walked into the waiting room of a doctor's office. Five minutes later, I walked out. I didn't see a doctor, I didn't speak with a nurse, I didn't have a single interaction with an actual healthcare provider. The only people I spoke with were in the billing department.
I walked into that office for a test. Apparently it's a rather routine test, but it was one that a specialist had recommended I get -- and quickly. Being a slight hypochondriac ("ohmigosh, it's a tumor, I know it"), I was a bit nervous going in. I wanted to get it over with and have the reassurance that I was going to live to see another day.
And then they told me how much my bill for the day would be: nearly $600.00.
"But I have insurance." Yes, but you have to meet your deductible before your insurance kicks in.
Oh don't worry, they said: we can work out a payment plan, and the full amount will be due in 90 days.
I remember one bit in particular from this conversation.
The woman I was speaking with said something to the effect of, "But your
doctor wants you to get this test. I really think you should
reconsider." To which I responded: "How many ways do I have to say this:
I cannot afford it."
From there, the conversation continued as one might expect: I burst into tears, canceled the appointment, and left.
What shocked me after I stopped crying (and I cried for a good 30 minutes) was how quickly I'd made that decision. My doctor told me to get this test -- as he was the one with the M.D., I listened -- but as soon as I heard that dollar amount, that test was not happening. Shut it down.
In one of my Susan G. Komen vs. Planned Parenthood rants,
I said that women should not have to pit paying for healthcare against buying
groceries. Wouldn't you know it, that's exactly what I had to do. And I
am employed! I have a small but steady paycheck, no dependents, and
minimal debt. But right now, I cannot afford to be anything but healthy.
I'm not placing blame here: not on the doctor, not on the hospital,
maybe a little bit on my insurance company. Thankfully my situation is small potatoes, but it's indicative of a system that needs to be fixed. Similar episodes are playing out over and over across the country, where patients are walking away from hospitals and clinics because they can't afford their services. The patients' wallets, instead of their doctors, are prescribing treatment.
I'd love to get your feedback on this. Have you had a similar experience? Has healthcare become a luxury good in this country? How do we combat the rising costs of medical care?
So sorry you had this experience. From a family doc's perspective: I "grill" everyone to see what they actually know about their insurance. Do they have an annual deductible? Do they have a co-pay for x-rays and lab tests? Specialist visits? Medications? On and on.....I deal with patients with over 40 different insurance plans, and they change their rules every year. The insurance coverage you have is an agreement made between the employer and the insurer - actual practicing physicians not included. Consumers need to ASK about this stuff because your doc can't keep up with it. And the place to work for change is with employer groups. Encourage employees to talk with HR - what benefits are covered? Are employees willing to pay higher premiums to get better coverage? It is a ridiculous situation. I envy Aunt Nancy in London. It might take a while to do a non-urgent knee replacement.....but the serious stuff gets seen right away and you won't go bankrupt getting care. I don't know that you'll ever get Americans to agree on a health care coverage. But we look ridiculous doing third world medicine for people who've lost their jobs and their insurance.
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