Wellness

[ValuSkr]

Yes, the healthcare profession is mostly about making money.  It's no wonder health insurance is so expensive; the whole system is in dire need of an overhaul.

[judy0330]

@151949  Totally agree about the dentist.  When we moved to NJ we went to a new dentist who was recommended by friends.  This was at least 25 years ago.  My first visit resulted in a recommendation for $8K in dental work.  I followed up with another dentist in NY who was recommended.  He said it was all unnecessary.  

Fast forward.  We now live in CT.  About 15 years ago a specialist my mother's dentist here sent her to recommended $10K in work -- including removing 3 teeth.  My mother was 87 at the time.  My favorite part was when we were taken into a little room to talk about payment and asked how we planned to pay for it.  I said "By check."  The woman we were talking to was horrfied that we didn't want to sign up for the dental credit card they were pushing.  The whole experience was sickening.  I took my mother to the dentist my husband and I use.  She believes in doing the minimal work necessary.  Her first question was "Why would you remove the only 3 teeth that are still her own????"  She ended up doing what was necessary.  A few thousand dollars -- done -- and my mother never had another problem.  If anybody feels that their dentist is gauging them there is only one thing to be done.  Find a new dentist.

[FranandZoe]

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@Laura14 wrote:

@151949  They are next on my hit list!  Every 6 months I walk in, I realized I have started to get an X-ray every time.  Since when? That can't be good for you I don't care about the protection.

I grew up with and until recently I had an x-ray once every five years for the panoramic and maybe bite wings every other year.  Not once every six months.  That's another expense that's going away too.  

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I recently saw where throid cancer is on the rise and the reason may be dental X-rays and mammos.  

[Laura14]

@FranandZoe  Thank you!  That's all I needed to finalize that decision.  Not doing the dental x-rays anymore without some real time in between.

And I am with you on the gynecology stuff.  I am supposedly due next year but I plan on skipping it myself.  The doctor has already told me if I ever did get cervical cancer which I've already tested negative for the main virus I would be in my 80s before it ever became a real problem because of how slow it grows.  

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I have a different experience with my PCP - I've been with her quite some time and I don't think she goes out of her way to order testing.

Good for you, for making it a two-way street with your health professionals.  I called out one of my doctors earlier this year (went right to the ins co) with what I considered an un-necessary charge. They contacted the dr office; I felt we were advised to hash it out.  It was a grey area.

I thought it out, quit fighting then and paid the bill, but I wanted to let it be known.  Sometimes you just have to set boundaries, and let the record show.

My dentist has been more than fair in shouldering the responsibility financially, when there have been outcomes that could have gone either way.  I like to keep some things "out there" for a bit of leverage, or rather, really just to keep them on their toes.  I am watching.

[Trinity11]

My experience is quite different @Laura14. I am still here 28 years later because of a mammogram that diagnosed me with breast cancer. In fact, because I was young, I had to pressure the doctor to give me the script for it. I had a lump that had been dismissed by my gynocologist for years. My good friend had just passed away from breast cancer at 34 and she warned me to pursue it before she passed.

Becoming diabetic in my teens a lot of my physicians ran every test available for many years but I do think they helped to save my life and I would never have gotten to 65 if I had refused them. I do not see the medical community as some conspiracy trying to find ways to bill me for services. In fact 99% of them are really about saving lives and their intentions are good and not about fattening their wallets.

Just a different perspective on medical professionals from someone who would be long gone without their efforts and diligence.

[chrystaltree]

It's your body and no doctor can force you to have any test or procedure done that you don't want done.  They sugges, you can always decline.  However, you have to understand that physicians come review by Medicare, Medicaid and all the health insurers and Quality of Care is one of things that are assessed.  The aren't car mechanics, there are standards of care that they MUST follow for all patients so when they see something that they feel should be followed up on with further testing or imaging they CANNOT just ingnore it.   I understand.  Some people just don't like physicians.  What I don't understand is how anyone can put money, some measly buck ahead of their life and health and physical being.  "young enough to take that chance",  what does that even mean?  Why are you angry that your healthcare professionals do their job?  Just say no to whatever you don't want to spend money on and get on with your day.  

[Nightowlz]

I had an appt scheduled on Tues the 11th which I cancelled because they set me up an appt 6 months out instead of 1 yr later.

They did not want me to cancel. Told me I could not get a refill on my medication if I cancel my appt. I said so what I have enough if I wait & come in 1 yr after my last appt. She said we only prescribe 30 days at a time. I said not for me you don't. LOL!!!

I refuse to go to the pharmacy once per month for my thyroid medication. I have over a year supply right now but the doctor does not know that. LOL!!!

People need more than 1 month supply of medication in case of emergencies like all these hurricanes, floods, tornadoes etc. Not to mention the reformulations & shortages I have dealt with.

They can play their games with other patients but I'm not playing them so go away.

I just need a lifetime refill on my thyroid medication. I have to take it for the rest of my life. I don't need a blood test to tell me if it's off or not. I will know when it's off. If I could get my lifetime refill I would never go to the doctor. They mess with me & I will order my thyroid medication from Thailand without a script & take my chances.

[Laura14]

@Trinity11  I don't see them as a conspiracy either.  But I think it's good feedback to them that they need to be mindful of what they do callbacks for and how often or at least be better communicators as to why something may need to be done. 

When you keep crying wolf with a healthy patient, eventually they are going to disregard the warnings which can be catastrophic in the long run.  I thought I saw a study that depicted just that with my exact situation with mammograms. 

I can tell you the other side to your scenario when you've been scared half to death twice in my case  and it turns out to be not true, you are not keen on repeating such an awful emotional experience again.  And it's not like you get a sorry or help paying the  bills either.  

I am very grateful you were saved by medical testing and completely respect the medical community.     I'm just trying to teach them how to treat me and my personal situation better.

Bottom line, I think everyone needs to educate and be responsible for themselves.  Use your own judgement just like you did on what you really need from your doctors.  

[Laura14]

@Nightowlz  LOL!  You go girl!   

But I will caution you, it sounds like you are doing fine, but they do need to check to make sure the medicine is still the appropriate strength for your body.  1 year bare minimum like you are doing.

And make sure you are taking the oldest meds first.  You probably have it down to a science but medicine does expire which means the strength and quality especially of the inactive ingredients does suffer.  Mind the expiration dates on your stash!  LOL