I'm so mad right now

D

divagirl

Cathlete
I am so unbelievable angry and feel taken advantage of by the medical community. I'm healthy...no medical conditions. I call to get my prescription refilled and they won't do it until I come in for a visit. I saw them in October and then had blood work at their request months later to make sure a prescription wasn't doing any damage. All was fine. That's 2x in less than a year that I've been there.

They wouldn't even let me set up an appointment and fill the prescription. Now I have to go pay my $20 copay for a visit that I DO NOT NEED and I only had 2 time slots to get into over the next 5 days and when I called back one of those slots was already gone. This is such an inconvenience and I'm so over these insurance companies and doctors offices trying to make their money.
 
Hey! Not trying to defend the insurance companies, but sometimes the physicians want to check on you kind of regularly depending on what medication you're taking, particularly something that could potentially cause liver damage.

I know how inconvenient it can be, though.

Hang in there!
Liz
 
October is almost a year ago, so it's not unusual that you would have to go in for a visit. I get sleeping pills and have to go annually to get refills. Yes, it's inconvenient, but this is regulated for very good reason. Some medications can cause severe problems when taken long term, so you must keep on eye on things for that reason. Other drugs can be abused and can become addictive (sleeping pills, pain killers, etc)., so must be watched for those reasons. Most docs don't want to just hand out pills, willy-nilly, unless they are really needed. Add to that our litigious society - if something were to happen to you as a result of the medications, you could turn around and sue the doctor - saying, well, he didn't check up on me periodically, so the doctor's must protect themselves, as well. You didn't say what your prescription is for, so it's hard to know where you may fall on the spectrum, but annual check-ups are there for very good reason. Remember, it's for your good health. It's inconvenient, yes, but really not a big deal in the scope of things.
 
>October is almost a year ago, so it's not unusual that you
>would have to go in for a visit. I get sleeping pills and
>have to go annually to get refills. Yes, it's inconvenient,
>but this is regulated for very good reason. Some medications
>can cause severe problems when taken long term, so you must
>keep on eye on things for that reason. Other drugs can be
>abused and can become addictive (sleeping pills, pain killers,
>etc)., so must be watched for those reasons. Most docs don't
>want to just hand out pills, willy-nilly, unless they are
>really needed. Add to that our litigious society - if
>something were to happen to you as a result of the
>medications, you could turn around and sue the doctor -
>saying, well, he didn't check up on me periodically, so the
>doctor's must protect themselves, as well. You didn't say
>what your prescription is for, so it's hard to know where you
>may fall on the spectrum, but annual check-ups are there for
>very good reason. Remember, it's for your good health. It's
>inconvenient, yes, but really not a big deal in the scope of
>things.


Ditto what she said ;)
 
Yeah, I know but that fact is that its August so why not just refill and let me set up an appointment thats convenient over the next few weeks when I'm still 2 months shy of a yearly visit.

Oh well, I did my flame on the situation for the moment, lets just let this die now.
 
My GYN does this even for vitamin prescriptions. I understand you feel like you don't need to go but, like others have said, it has been almost a year. I know for me, I'm never anxious to make doctor's appointments so this is probably a good way of making sure people stay up to date with visits.
 
>Yeah, I know but that fact is that its August so why not just
>refill and let me set up an appointment thats convenient over
>the next few weeks when I'm still 2 months shy of a yearly
>visit.

Because they can't be sure you won't cancel the appointment.
 
I can certainly understand how you feel. I've been soo aggravated with my general MD. I just switched to her about a year ago, and am ready to switch back to my previous MD. I take iron pills for anemia, and she also put me on a mild diuretic for my blood pressure. Each time I go to her, she will only give me a prescription with 3 refills. Which means, she expects me back in to see her every 4 months. There is 3 visits a year, and I think it's definitely over-kill. Some prescriptions she gives me no refills for, such as my migraine headaches, and I am starting to feel like she's all about making the money and not necessarily helping me.

In your case, I think your doctor should have at least called in a refill for you, and allowed you enough time to make an apt. that would be more convenient for you. I think my doctor would have at least done that.
 
Michelle

My guess is you are in the field. If I cancelled then they could say no refill next time. Or give me a refill for one month. Don't make me while at work and on a holiday weekend try to immediately make one of two appointments available otherwise I run out of my medication over the holiday weekend and get dizziness without it.

It's called customer service and it should go for all industries.
 
The best thing to do is to be aware of when your refills are due to expire -- it should be clearly marked on your prescription. When you're on your last refill, call your doctor several weeks before you run out. This is what I do.
 
I'm sure that it depends on the prescription, but in a situation like this, my doc will always give me enough of my prescription to tide me over until I can get in to see her. Granted, that is usually mandated to be within a month, but at least I don't "go without" in the interim.

I understand what people have mentioned here about the doc monitoring you and not knowing whether you'd cancel that later appointment, but I agree that if you did, no refill next time.
 
>>
>It's called customer service and it should go for all
>industries.

I have to laugh at this. While I totally agree with you, DH and I often talk about what poor 'customer service' the medical community can get away with. They'll keep you waiting unbelievable amounts of time for your appointments, they have a hard time returning phone calls in a timely manner and when they do call you back they often act like you are an inconvenience.

Now, I realize that not all doctors are like this and that doctors are extremely busy with, literally, life and death jobs. But what other industry could survive with this type of customer service?

I learned a long time ago to not expect 'customer service' from my doctor. And, I don't really mind...what I really want is expertise. If they also can throw in the good bedside manner and everything I mentioned above, then great!
 
Hi,
I just had to respond to this thread for 2 reasons: 1. I am a RN/Nurse Practitioner and yet I have to agree about the inconvenience that we do tend to put people through sometimes 2. My husband and I just had an experience with a world recognized clinic with very poor customer service.
All I want to say is that although the "clinic's" doctors, nurses & staff were all very professional, their manner was cold and we seemed to be an inconvenience. From now on we will be staying with the hospital and clinics where I worked for years. They are the "county" hospital but the people there have always been warm, friendly and caring. And I know from working there that they give the best medical care in our area-really top notch. I guess I thought since this "clinic" is the be all end all for my husband's concern that it was better to go there. Thankfully everything was fine but we decided to stick with our old standby from now on. Customer service does make a difference and people will stay with the medical practitioners/hospitals that really do it well.

Thanks, just wanted to get that out!! Take care.
 
>Hi,
>I just had to respond to this thread for 2 reasons: 1. I am a
>RN/Nurse Practitioner and yet I have to agree about the
>inconvenience that we do tend to put people through sometimes
>2. My husband and I just had an experience with a world
>recognized clinic with very poor customer service.
>All I want to say is that although the "clinic's" doctors,
>nurses & staff were all very professional, their manner was
>cold and we seemed to be an inconvenience. From now on we will
>be staying with the hospital and clinics where I worked for
>years. They are the "county" hospital but the people there
>have always been warm, friendly and caring. And I know from
>working there that they give the best medical care in our
>area-really top notch. I guess I thought since this "clinic"
>is the be all end all for my husband's concern that it was
>better to go there. Thankfully everything was fine but we
>decided to stick with our old standby from now on. Customer
>service does make a difference and people will stay with the
>medical practitioners/hospitals that really do it well.


Well, I have no interest in disagreeing but, respectfully, if I have a serious medical condition I want the BEST doctor--not the nicest. I'm not saying that bedside manner, etc. doesn't count for anything just that when your life is on the line, it's not the most important thing. I like warm and caring doctors too but often that is just that particular personality and not some outcome of where they work. JMO
>
>Thanks, just wanted to get that out!! Take care.
>
>
 
I agree...and disagree with all of you :p :7

Yes, customer service can be bad. I hate...HATE that you don't get a live, human being on the phone, or that it sometimes takes all day for the doctor to call you back, or that you might have to sit for hours in the waiting room waiting to be seen. On the other hand, I used to work in a major teaching hospital and they were soooooo overwhelmed with patients and paper work that all the little niceties were sometimes pushed to the side. I'm not saying it's right, it's just the way it is.

Many small town doctors are overwhelmed, too. Lot's of small towns might only have one or 2 doctors to serve the entire population. The university based docs are swamped with referrals from all over the country. Here in Ohio places like the Cleveland Clinic, OSU Hospitals, and University of Cincinnati get referrals from all over the world! There is a serious shortage of nurses and doctors and until that changes I doubt you'll see much improvement in customer service.

It's up to each of us to take responsibility for some of these things, like calling the doctor well in advance for prescription refills. It's not a good idea, especially on a holiday weekend, to try and get a prescription refilled at the last minute ;)
 
Usually I just lurk, but after reading this thread, I actually signed up to be a part of Cathe's forums! I realize that dealing for the medical community can be frustrating at times, but I think we need to take a step back. Your doctor is probably not just out to make money, but actually cares about your health. I am not sure why he or she wouldn't refill your medication and have you make a follow up appointment, but maybe you should ask when you see him or her. Obviously you don't think that you need to be seen, but there is probably a good reason your doctor thinks that he or she needs to see you.

The medical field is customer service oriented, but sometimes we don't get to see that. I realized recently that one of the reasons my doctor is sometimes late in getting to see me is that she tries to accommadate her patients that are sick and need to be seen by working them into her schedule. Hopefully I will never need to take advantage of that, but if I do, I'm glad to know that option exists and that I won't need to go to the ER.

I'm sure this post will get some strong reactions, but I know doctors give alot of themselves and work really hard with sleepless nights, missing family functions, etc to take care of their patients.
 
I went with my mom recently for a dr. appt. She had just been in 3 mos earlier. The nurse weighed her, took her bp and the doc listened to her heart and asked how she had been. Ten minutes. End of appt.

I said "why did you need to come - didn't seem like they did anything" Mom: "He's going on a Alaskan cruise next month" :p

That's why I like my doctors. Husband and wife team with 8 kids!! When I call and say all 3 kids have strep throat and now I have a fever and sore throat, they just call in a prescription for me. I really appreciate this since I live 45 miles away!

When you go to your appt. make it clear you want the prescription to last 1 year.
 
I think an important point is being made in everyone answers: the patient needs to communicate clearly with the doctor. When you see your doctor, you should ask for a certain number of refills and if he/she won't give them to you, have them explain why. Also, if you doctor wants to see you every ____ months and you don't think that is necessary, ask why. My docs are usually pretty clear about why they need to see me. I never just go in because they 'tell' me to. I have never been to an 'unnecessary' appointment. Sure, there have times when I haven't felt the 'need' to go but in some chronic conditions it's more about monitoring you then about 'doing' something to you.
>
>
>That's why I like my doctors. Husband and wife team with 8
>kids!! When I call and say all 3 kids have strep throat and
>now I have a fever and sore throat, they just call in a
>prescription for me. I really appreciate this since I live 45
>miles away!
>
I used to love this kind of doctor..the kind that will just call in prescriptions. Unfortunately, more and more doctors are 'just calling in' prescriptions for antibiotics now and we are facing serious resistantance issues in the future. I now see this as medically irresponsible. Although, I'm hoping in your example you mean that all 3 kids have TESTED positive for strep throat and your doctor is only assuming when you fall sick.
 
I totally agree with taking responsibility......I am in the medical field too...

but I think it is all a bunch of BS to make $$$$....Sorry, but I do. If you are relatively healthy why come in? It is crazy. And it isn't like if you see your doc regularly they make exceptions. It has been my experience that if more than a month has gone by you are coming in to the office! That is especially true with psychs....medication management....if I am doing OK and not going crazy, why do I have to see you EVERY MONTH no matter what? And two weeks later you see the EOB and they got to bill 80.00 for that 10 minute session of nothing. I am in the wrong field!

That is totally how I felt for my follow up from my MC. I suffered sitting in the OB waiting room (for over an hour BTW, waiting..waiting..) looking at all the pregnant women, had to pay a $40.00 "specialist" copay and all the doc said was what I already knew from reading the internet. The medical assistant asked me how I was feeling. That's it! It was so stupid! I was so angry.

To top it off.......normally pregnancy is a package rate deal under insurances. You pay one co-pay but not again throughout your pregnancy. Well, I was pregnant all of 12 weeks and saw the doc about 3 times. WELL...I got the UPDATED bill today, billing me for $40.00 x 3 for all 3 visits!!! It is like they looked at it and were like, "oh, look she's not pregnant anymore, bill her for those copays!" AND..when I had the D&C done..which they emphathetically talked me through..."my decision" "do what feels right"...blah, blah..well I never thought it would be processed as if I had a mole removed and now I owe my $500.00 deductible on top of the 20% co-insurance!! I am just amazed that that is not treated as an ER procedure, especially since it had been 5 weeks and my body had not caught on to the fact that I had miscarried! Gimme a break....Something as traumatic as pregnancy loss and now I owe roughly $1,000 at least before this is said and done! I think it would have been cheaper to go to term!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: It just feels like they are kicking you when you are down.

So....if you ever miscarry and they give the option. MIGHT want to go home and let things happen....heck, try your best...cuz it'll cost ya close to a grand!

I'm gonna go take my BP now..lol...I totally understand where you are coming from!!!
 
...OH and how 'bout this.....if I make an appointment at 10:00 AM, could I possibly be seen by 10:15 at the latest please????

Has anyone ever just sat and sat and sat and sat in a Dr. office wondering if they have absolutely any respect for your time??? I waited ONE HOUR to get into my OB follow-up. And nowadays, they don't even apologize for your wait!! Most of the time they act like you should just be thankful they are seeing you....LOL....grrrrrr....it IS a good thing I don't go to the doc much!x(

And please don't say they are so busy with patients that they get backed up. Sometimes, but not all the time. I say it is overbooking and I think it is totally disrespectful. but they don't have to care do they? How else would you get your meds?????:D
 
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