My Simple Proposal... - Page 3

nunya · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/3/2014 nunya said:
On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/3/2014 Dagna said:
But I thought you said people didn't have transportation - and taking the bus late at night is surely not as easy as calling an ambulance.

What about actually penalizing people who call an ambulance when it is not remotely an emergency?

You act like it's the ambulance companies fault - and yet you would be the first to scream if they refused to respond.

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

I was told by an ambulance driver, once they are called they have to transport the patient or the police will be involved.

I asked at the ER and the Dr said wrong. You can refuse, but I was still wondering why they said this. Money perhaps?

BINGO!

Figures. I was not happy that they threatened to involve the police over a medical issue.

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

terrier....there's a new urgent care clinic that popped open about 6 months ago in a shopping center a couple miles from us and one Fri afternoon my husband went there complaining of lower back pain on both sides and so he was given an urinalysis. The PA used a test strip as they don't have a lab on the premises and was told it was positive for a UTI. He wrote my husband a Rx for Cipro who got it filled that day and started taking them, 2 per day. On Monday, the lab results showed he was actually negative for a UTI. The PA contacted him and told him it was negative but it was my husband who mentioned the Cipro. The PA said, oh yes, stop taking it. Not a good experience.

redtabby · ‎03-10-2010

Two of the hospitals in my area have family practices attached, so there is access to labs, etc. They do not offer late hours, that would be a good idea. I do understand why you say "neighborhood clinics" for those people that do not have their own transportation. This is an idea that we may see implemented in the future, especially since I read that medical schools are increasing enrollment, so there may be more doctors that will willing to do something different. My allergist works 4 days a week, 7am - 6pm and people can walk in anytime for their shots, so that is a step in the right direction. Since he is the only doctor in the practice he cannot be open more.

pinkskates4 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/3/2014 Marianne is said:
Case in point today. We are fortunate to have (and pay for $$$$) very good insurance; however, I called this am for my son who is sick. No answer (snow here). Even if they were there, chances are they would not be able to fit him in (and it is a Friday, so he would have to wait until Monday).

The good news…our insurance also covers Urgent Cares and Minute Clinics, with the same $20 copay as the regular doctor. So, he will be seen today (he is there now, I believe).

The doctors' offices are difficult to get into for "emergency" (non-scheduled) appointments, but he does not need an ER visit--so clinics are great for the stopgap.

And you think it will be easier for all the folks on newly expanded Medicaid to get doctors appointments?

Gooday · ‎03-23-2010

On 1/3/2014 Qwackertoo said:
We need more Doctors and Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants to staff those clinic. We either have to import them . . . or . . . graduate more medical students which will take time.

I think the health industry would be benefited by the paying of students medical school or portion thereof and a contract to work so many years in a clinic . . . which I think they already do similar, maybe a state does it like Virginia, for very rural areas. Much like the military doctors . . . get their education paid for, return their service in payment for that debt . . . and then continue on later in private practice. But this will take both Time AND Money.

I saw an NP for the first time in October and again a few weeks later. I was quite impressed. A new clinic opened up just one mile away. While I am here for the winter, I will continue to see him if need be. The problem is there a hospital 2 miles a way who as of two months ago will NOT take BC/BS. ?????? I have my PCP back home but I wanted to establish myself in the area in case I needed to see someone.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/3/2014 ~foundinlv~ said:
terrier....there's a new urgent care clinic that popped open about 6 months ago in a shopping center a couple miles from us and one Fri afternoon my husband went there complaining of lower back pain on both sides and so he was given an urinalysis. The PA used a test strip as they don't have a lab on the premises and was told it was positive for a UTI. He wrote my husband a Rx for Cipro who got it filled that day and started taking them, 2 per day. On Monday, the lab results showed he was actually negative for a UTI. The PA contacted him and told him it was negative but it was my husband who mentioned the Cipro. The PA said, oh yes, stop taking it. Not a good experience.

That is why my proposal calls for clinics WITH labs and pharmacies on the premises.

There are labs all over the place now...how much more efficient would it be if they shared rent with the clinics??? and had small Walgreens or other pharmacies within the facility too?

brii · ‎06-20-2010

On 1/3/2014 Marianne is said:
Case in point today. We are fortunate to have (and pay for $$$$) very good insurance; however, I called this am for my son who is sick. No answer (snow here). Even if they were there, chances are they would not be able to fit him in (and it is a Friday, so he would have to wait until Monday).

The good news…our insurance also covers Urgent Cares and Minute Clinics, with the same $20 copay as the regular doctor. So, he will be seen today (he is there now, I believe).

The doctors' offices are difficult to get into for "emergency" (non-scheduled) appointments, but he does not need an ER visit--so clinics are great for the stopgap.

I hope he feels better.

I've had that issue so many times. Doctor's office is closed, can't get in until Monday, kid needs to be seen - it seems so wasteful to to go the ER for a sore throat. Plus, our ER co-pay is $275.

pinkskates4 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/3/2014 nunya said:
On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/3/2014 Dagna said:
But I thought you said people didn't have transportation - and taking the bus late at night is surely not as easy as calling an ambulance.

What about actually penalizing people who call an ambulance when it is not remotely an emergency?

You act like it's the ambulance companies fault - and yet you would be the first to scream if they refused to respond.

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

I was told by an ambulance driver, once they are called they have to transport the patient or the police will be involved.

I asked at the ER and the Dr said wrong. You can refuse, but I was still wondering why they said this. Money perhaps?

BINGO!

There would be a charge for the ambulance whether or not it takes you to the hospital. It doesn't come to your home for free.

It's more likely that they said they had to transport to protect themselves from liability rather than because they wanted you to pay more money.

mgm2 · ‎09-15-2012

On 1/3/2014 tansy said: Around here every time a good-sized building is empty an urgent-care clinic pops up. The clinics are open in the evenings and on the weekends.

..and where I live, they only take SOME private insurances. If your insurer isn't on the list, they tell you up front..and you pay out of pocket , go to the E.R. or wait to see your G.P.

brii · ‎06-20-2010

A lot of the urgent care clinics don't have ultrasound machines and techs available 24/7 either. If you break your arm or leg, they don't have somebody to cast you. It's not so simple after all...