Wellness

[on the bay]

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@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:

@on the bay   What do you do for fun?   Oh, please let him ask that at next visit.  With a straight face I'll tell him I get all gussied up and pick up strange men in bars.  That will shut him up.

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@CrazyKittyLvr2,

Lol!

[CrazyKittyLvr2]

@Tinkrbl44   I have an advantage plan  I have never had a specific wellness visit.

[febe1]

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@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:

1. @lthBirkiLady   I'm capablr of taking care of my own mental health, I don't expect life to be puppies and rainbows, life can be hard and the sooner you realize it the better off you will be.

Just give me my meds and back off.

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And they just do annual "wellness" for those older on Medicare. I never had one before Medicare and the Gov't paid for it. 

[Tinkrbl44]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

It's a fair and honest question.

So many people are suffering in silence. If one person answers honestly, the PA has broken the ice and begun to help a person with problems. If must be a difficult question to ask, but I think it's a very necessary one! No one should be ashamed or offended by such a question. Answer it honestly! Your physician (or PA) deserves your respect. He/she is doing their job and they DO care. 

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@BirkiLady   @CrazyKittyLvr2  @CelticCrafter 

I've read that a  surprising number of people LIE TO THEIR DOCTORS.

This can mean providing wrong answers or omitting facts.   Perhaps they drink more alcohol than they'll admit to or ... whatever.  

If you really don't want to carefully manage your health, just skip going to any doctor altogether.    Why waste a doctor's time when there are others waiting for appointments and need health care?  

Good grief.  

[tends2dogs]

I had my first "Wellness physical" yesterday.  What a joke.  Why don't they just send you the questions (6 pages) so you can fill them out and send them back.  It is strictly "hands off", no physical touch.  It is just another waste of tax money.  

I asked, "What if I want a hands on physical?"  I was told that Medicare won't pay for it and they run around $200.  If I have a specific ailment or complaint, I can come in for that and my insurance will pay for it.  

My doctor did order all my bloodwork prior and had the results to go over during this visit.  That is the only reason I went to this appointment.  I also don't want to get dropped from their patient list.  

It is a racket, and frankly I felt the doctor was embarrassed by the questions.........draw a clock?  Remember 3 words? Do we have throw rugs in our home?  All the emotional questions?  Too invasive.  IMHO

[febe1]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

I had my first "Wellness physical" yesterday.  What a joke.  Why don't they just send you the questions (6 pages) so you can fill them out and send them back.  It is strictly "hands off", no physical touch.  It is just another waste of tax money.  

I asked, "What if I want a hands on physical?"  I was told that Medicare won't pay for it and they run around $200.  If I have a specific ailment or complaint, I can come in for that and my insurance will pay for it.  

My doctor did order all my bloodwork prior and had the results to go over during this visit.  That is the only reason I went to this appointment.  I also don't want to get dropped from their patient list.  

It is a racket, and frankly I felt the doctor was embarrassed by the questions.........draw a clock?  Remember 3 words? Do we have throw rugs in our home?  All the emotional questions?  Too invasive.  IMHO

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@tends2dogs , exactly. I'll go to a psychologist or therapist if I want help with my mental condition. 

I couldn't believe the "clock" drawing. Maybe they should ask me how I'm paying my weekly grocery bills!

[DrakesMomma]

I don't understand the hostility (perhaps not exactly the correct word) on a medical provider asking about a patient's mental health.  The case as stated here is about a Physician's Asst.  They do primary what they are told or asked.  It is right there in the title of the degree.  

I am a couple decades away from Medicare but the health insurance we have requires a routine physical exam.  If we choose not to go for it the preimum will almost double.  And, I have also been asked questions about mental health at my primary care doc's office.  There isn't anything wrong with being asked.  Good mental health is part of being healthy.   

[Carmie]

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@febe1 wrote:

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@Winkk wrote:

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@febe1 wrote:

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

To me it sounds like those intrusive questions they ask during that annual waste of time Medicare Wellness visit.

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I agree. I've been asked all kind of "instrusive" questions at the unnecessary "wellness" visit. I can't believe some of the questions asked. 

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@febe1 .. I don't think these "unnecessary wellness" visits are mandatory.  Just don't go.  I skip years.

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I'm on Medicare and my physician said I "had" to do an annual Wellness. I thought I should be able to make that decision.

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You do not have to get a wellness Medicare exam.  Very often doctors will do one while you are there for something else, like a 6 month visit.

My doctor just send me the questions in line to answer and then I am asked to draw a clock in the office.

For this,the doctor gets paid over $200.  That's why they want you to get the exam.  It's a money maker.

I often wonder what they do if you answer questions stating you are having financial difficulties, are afraid to live alone, have rugs you can trip over and not have enough food.

Are they going to help you?  I doubt it.

[Travone]

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@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:

This is what the PA asked me at my last visit to get my BP meds.

Is this new?  Never ever was asked this.

I said "fine", because it is.  I don't feel it is his business either way.  If someone wants to discuss their mood they can bring it up and  that's fine.  To me, him asking is intrusive.

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Don't everyone jump down my throat but I can understand him asking this.  I don't know how you are in real life,  but on this forum you don't come across as very happy. Unhappiness and negativity can lead to a whole host of medical problems.   He was doing his job and looking out for you.  We should always answer our doctors truthfully. 

[tends2dogs]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@BirkiLady wrote:

It's a fair and honest question.

So many people are suffering in silence. If one person answers honestly, the PA has broken the ice and begun to help a person with problems. If must be a difficult question to ask, but I think it's a very necessary one! No one should be ashamed or offended by such a question. Answer it honestly! Your physician (or PA) deserves your respect. He/she is doing their job and they DO care. 

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@BirkiLady   @CrazyKittyLvr2  @CelticCrafter 

I've read that a  surprising number of people LIE TO THEIR DOCTORS.

This can mean providing wrong answers or omitting facts.   Perhaps they drink more alcohol than they'll admit to or ... whatever.  

If you really don't want to carefully manage your health, just skip going to any doctor altogether.    Why waste a doctor's time when there are others waiting for appointments and need health care?  

Good grief.  

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This Wellness check up isn't actually what I would call a check up.  It is strictly answering questions. It checks a box for the doctor's office and they are paid a check from the government.  Wasteful, IMHO.  They could call you on the phone and ask them.  A person could have something medically wrong and it would never be caught on this type of nontouch visit.  It really is strictly a mental evaluation.  I agree that this is taking up precious time that a doctor could be helping people with real ailments.  

I do agree, that it is wrong to lie about your smoking, drinking, and drug habits if you have gone to the doctor because you have a medical problem.