Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You took my post completely out of the context of the post that I was responding to. Hoonose claimed a CEO he knew saved his heath care company money by implementing policies denying “unnecessary” tests and procedures, and so was a hero who deserved his millions.
My post was stating that his huge “success” bonuses came on the backs of people like me, who spent thousands and lost tens of thousands in income because I couldn’t get the MRI I needed to diagnose me correctly until i had already spent thousands in useless treatments based on a wrong diagnoses.
I spent an extra two months out of work and in pain because my surgery was denied the first time and had to be appealed. The people that Hoonose thinks are great businessman saving their companies money cost me dearly.
You're not listening. THIS CEO. Of course not all CEO's. Most CEO's are not ethical docs.
When we docs are left to our own devices we waste a bunch of HC money. For various reasons.
A doc who might earn say a few hundred thousand in salary, controls and spends millions of HC related dollars. So if you can trim those millions by some hundreds of thousands, you can save EVERYONE a lot of money.
I have been by my wife's bedside for the last 6 weeks as she is enduring a brutal stem cell transplant. I can't tell you how many unnecessary and overly repetitive testing has been done. Too many cooks, and no doc but me knows the whole story.
Sounds to me like you need another opinion. Either different a pain management specialist or spine institute/surgeon. The doc may not want another MRI if there are no substantial clinical changes since the last one. Or if no other or new intervention planned. Seems to me another MRI would be helpful at the very least to let you know things are stable. Assuming not recently done. Many spine places will take a copy of your MRI over the internet, review it, and then let you know of their opinions on intervention.
Repeated epidurals if not successful makes no sense.
There was no "last one" I told you I couldn't get any MRI, only an X-Ray. They sent me for thousands of dollars of treatments based on nothing. I have never heard of a system where they say "treat it first, diagnose later". I asked about an ENG as well, only to be dismissed. If I take my car to be repaired, I expect them to find the problem, not just replace my engine because it "sounds like" it might be an engine-related problem. The doc I blame for this is the Sports medicine guy I went to when the pain first started. After while though, you feel too invested in the process to just start over with someone new.
yes, easy to say all that. I was restricted to those in my plan's network, and already taking Uber once I started pain management. I was in no condition to shop around for medical opinions, I couldn't even wash my hair and I was crawling to the bathroom and back in the mornings. I actually had a good pain management Dr and I would go to him again.
I think the problem on his ends stemmed more from it being a corporate chain of pain clinics as is the trend now in health care, and they restrict him as well as the insurance. Don't even get me started how long I had to wait for pain meds, (and how horribly I was treated by pharmacists and other docs and nurses once I got them) but he was almost apologetic about not giving me anything stronger than Tramadol which didn't do a thing, until after the first epidural failed, so I am sure it was due to directives from those big bonus-getters at the top who have no clue about medicine. I have a feeling the multiple epidurals are quite profitable and are also "pushed" somewhat via corporate directives. You don't understand how overwhelming it is, how helplessly you feel dragged through the system, at a time when I have never been so vulnerable and so helpless.
I wasn't going to go back to the surgeon after the first visit, as I found him rude and abrupt, he acted like he was having the worst day of his life and seeing me was the last thing he needed. But when I told my pain mgmt. doc I wasn't going to go back, he said "That's too bad, because he's the best surgeon on your plan". So I went back. I did say something to one of his staff though, and after that he was nicer to me. I would still go back now, as he fixed my back and that's the main thing. I was almost suicidal from pain during the last few months, and I needed to get back to work desperately.
That's the thing, I feel like half the people who comment have Cadillac plans or something that give them all these choices. I sit here and watch these commercials that say "Come to our hospital/cancer center/spine clinic, we can cure you when others can't" type things. And I just think "well, I guess I'm screwed if I get cancer, because my plan won't pay for that place".
There was no "last one" I told you I couldn't get any MRI, only an X-Ray. They sent me for thousands of dollars of treatments based on nothing. I have never heard of a system where they say "treat it first, diagnose later". I asked about an ENG as well, only to be dismissed. If I take my car to be repaired, I expect them to find the problem, not just replace my engine because it "sounds like" it might be an engine-related problem. The doc I blame for this is the Sports medicine guy I went to when the pain first started. After while though, you feel too invested in the process to just start over with someone new.
yes, easy to say all that. I was restricted to those in my plan's network, and already taking Uber once I started pain management. I was in no condition to shop around for medical opinions, I couldn't even wash my hair and I was crawling to the bathroom and back in the mornings. I actually had a good pain management Dr and I would go to him again.
I think the problem on his ends stemmed more from it being a corporate chain of pain clinics as is the trend now in health care, and they restrict him as well as the insurance. Don't even get me started how long I had to wait for pain meds, (and how horribly I was treated by pharmacists and other docs and nurses once I got them) but he was almost apologetic about not giving me anything stronger than Tramadol which didn't do a thing, until after the first epidural failed, so I am sure it was due to directives from those big bonus-getters at the top who have no clue about medicine. I have a feeling the multiple epidurals are quite profitable and are also "pushed" somewhat via corporate directives. You don't understand how overwhelming it is, how helplessly you feel dragged through the system, at a time when I have never been so vulnerable and so helpless.
I wasn't going to go back to the surgeon after the first visit, as I found him rude and abrupt, he acted like he was having the worst day of his life and seeing me was the last thing he needed. But when I told my pain mgmt. doc I wasn't going to go back, he said "That's too bad, because he's the best surgeon on your plan". So I went back. I did say something to one of his staff though, and after that he was nicer to me. I would still go back now, as he fixed my back and that's the main thing. I was almost suicidal from pain during the last few months, and I needed to get back to work desperately.
That's the thing, I feel like half the people who comment have Cadillac plans or something that give them all these choices. I sit here and watch these commercials that say "Come to our hospital/cancer center/spine clinic, we can cure you when others can't" type things. And I just think "well, I guess I'm screwed if I get cancer, because my plan won't pay for that place".
Oh I understand how overwhelming it can be. Myself and one of my group partners have been about the only local docs besides pain specialists prescribing narcotics for many years now. And I myself have had all sorts of low back issues for nearly 30 years. As well as all sorts of generally successful treatments that keep me going all this time. In fact I had an RF ablation just 2 weeks ago.
To me it still sounds like you need that MRI + the right doc. Maybe a neuro/pain doc. There must be a solution out there for you. Regional and network confines sure don't help.
There was no "last one" I told you I couldn't get any MRI, only an X-Ray. They sent me for thousands of dollars of treatments based on nothing. I have never heard of a system where they say "treat it first, diagnose later". I asked about an ENG as well, only to be dismissed. If I take my car to be repaired, I expect them to find the problem, not just replace my engine because it "sounds like" it might be an engine-related problem. The doc I blame for this is the Sports medicine guy I went to when the pain first started. After while though, you feel too invested in the process to just start over with someone new.
yes, easy to say all that. I was restricted to those in my plan's network, and already taking Uber once I started pain management. I was in no condition to shop around for medical opinions, I couldn't even wash my hair and I was crawling to the bathroom and back in the mornings. I actually had a good pain management Dr and I would go to him again.
I think the problem on his ends stemmed more from it being a corporate chain of pain clinics as is the trend now in health care, and they restrict him as well as the insurance. Don't even get me started how long I had to wait for pain meds, (and how horribly I was treated by pharmacists and other docs and nurses once I got them) but he was almost apologetic about not giving me anything stronger than Tramadol which didn't do a thing, until after the first epidural failed, so I am sure it was due to directives from those big bonus-getters at the top who have no clue about medicine. I have a feeling the multiple epidurals are quite profitable and are also "pushed" somewhat via corporate directives. You don't understand how overwhelming it is, how helplessly you feel dragged through the system, at a time when I have never been so vulnerable and so helpless.
I wasn't going to go back to the surgeon after the first visit, as I found him rude and abrupt, he acted like he was having the worst day of his life and seeing me was the last thing he needed. But when I told my pain mgmt. doc I wasn't going to go back, he said "That's too bad, because he's the best surgeon on your plan". So I went back. I did say something to one of his staff though, and after that he was nicer to me. I would still go back now, as he fixed my back and that's the main thing. I was almost suicidal from pain during the last few months, and I needed to get back to work desperately.
That's the thing, I feel like half the people who comment have Cadillac plans or something that give them all these choices. I sit here and watch these commercials that say "Come to our hospital/cancer center/spine clinic, we can cure you when others can't" type things. And I just think "well, I guess I'm screwed if I get cancer, because my plan won't pay for that place".
Each time you go to a new Dr for back issues it seems like you have to "play their game" in order to get what you went there for. They usually start with injections of some sort. God forbid you need to switch PM doctors too; try cold calling to see if they'll take over your prescribing. Many years ago before all these PM doctors sprang up I was barely on meds; 5/325's four times a day and one 10mg OP; no one would touch me. I ended up moving; had to stop seeing my PM doctor of 10+ years due to insurance right after my hub's cancer. His billing office really gave it to me and I think if the doctor would have found out some heads would have rolled. I think I was one of his favorite patients at the time. I used to mod at Maximum PC's forum; he was a computer geek. My GP got me into where I go now, University Doctors. So much easier to have all the specialists in the same group.
Anyway back to the MRI cause I'm in the same boat. I had full spine done including brain; then last year, which was 2 years later my MRI's a furniture delivery truck hits me. I really need a new cervical to lumbar spine MRI but my PM doctor is ignoring it. I don't know why she's only addressed my shoulder. I really don't understand it either. Of course I was just there, really kicking myself for not asking but she had students with her plus I had fallen so we were talking about that. I was so ready to get out of there. I have decent insurance; Medicare with a Blue Cross medigap so everything gets paid in full. I don't understand why she's not ordering it and will ask in 2 months when I go back.
Each time you go to a new Dr for back issues it seems like you have to "play their game" in order to get what you went there for. They usually start with injections of some sort. God forbid you need to switch PM doctors too; try cold calling to see if they'll take over your prescribing. Many years ago before all these PM doctors sprang up I was barely on meds; 5/325's four times a day and one 10mg OP; no one would touch me. I ended up moving; had to stop seeing my PM doctor of 10+ years due to insurance right after my hub's cancer. His billing office really gave it to me and I think if the doctor would have found out some heads would have rolled. I think I was one of his favorite patients at the time. I used to mod at Maximum PC's forum; he was a computer geek. My GP got me into where I go now, University Doctors. So much easier to have all the specialists in the same group.
Anyway back to the MRI cause I'm in the same boat. I had full spine done including brain; then last year, which was 2 years later my MRI's a furniture delivery truck hits me. I really need a new cervical to lumbar spine MRI but my PM doctor is ignoring it. I don't know why she's only addressed my shoulder. I really don't understand it either. Of course I was just there, really kicking myself for not asking but she had students with her plus I had fallen so we were talking about that. I was so ready to get out of there. I have decent insurance; Medicare with a Blue Cross medigap so everything gets paid in full. I don't understand why she's not ordering it and will ask in 2 months when I go back.
I work in healthcare and I have for 20 years, but my own experience with this really woke me up to just how bad our system is. I hope you get what you need.
Oh sure it is. It is one of the direct reasons for income/wealth inequality. Once you've got a high level of passive income, the taxes you pay on it are proportionally minor, less than what a worker bee pays.
The people taxed the worst in the U.S. are the high wage earners - pro athletes, doctors, etc... because much of our progressive tax structure is based on wages. If you make money passively, then you pay a practical flat tax - 15 or 20%. 120k of passive income means you pay 20%. If you make 120k of wages, then you pay 33%. wtf
So none of that excess wealth goes back into the system to support critical services like health care & education. That's how other 1st world countries have lower inequality gaps (although there are still gaps) - a lot of goes back to the people in the form of health care & old age benefits which lowers the inequality gap. Not that they don't have problems, but it doesn't result in the gross inequalities and extreme bills for hc & ed like we have.
I work in healthcare and I have for 20 years, but my own experience with this really woke me up to just how bad our system is. I hope you get what you need.
So sorry about all this, what a mess.
But what I don't understand is your complaint that you weren't allowed to get an MRI.
Couldn't you have gotten one and paid for it yourself if you believed it was critical for your recovery?
Is this about health insurance companies truly not allowing you to buy your own testing or just that they won't pay for it?
I only ask because we've been without insurance and have paid cash for an MRI when needed.
Oh sure it is. It is one of the direct reasons for income/wealth inequality. Once you've got a high level of passive income, the taxes you pay on it are proportionally minor, less than what a worker bee pays.
The people taxed the worst in the U.S. are the high wage earners - pro athletes, doctors, etc... because much of our progressive tax structure is based on wages. If you make money passively, then you pay a practical flat tax - 15 or 20%. 120k of passive income means you pay 20%. If you make 120k of wages, then you pay 33%. wtf
So none of that excess wealth goes back into the system to support critical services like health care & education. That's how other 1st world countries have lower inequality gaps (although there are still gaps) - a lot of goes back to the people in the form of health care & old age benefits which lowers the inequality gap. Not that they don't have problems, but it doesn't result in the gross inequalities and extreme bills for hc & ed like we have.
Not all passive income is taxed at a lower rate. I have a certain passive investment where my payouts are taxed as ordinary income.
But what I don't understand is your complaint that you weren't allowed to get an MRI.
Couldn't you have gotten one and paid for it yourself if you believed it was critical for your recovery?
Is this about health insurance companies truly not allowing you to buy your own testing or just that they won't pay for it?
I only ask because we've been without insurance and have paid cash for an MRI when needed.
Sometimes it pays to join with a direct pay doc short term and get a big discount on an MRI. It could end up costing a few hundred vs say a thousand dollars.
But what I don't understand is your complaint that you weren't allowed to get an MRI.
Couldn't you have gotten one and paid for it yourself if you believed it was critical for your recovery?
Is this about health insurance companies truly not allowing you to buy your own testing or just that they won't pay for it?
I only ask because we've been without insurance and have paid cash for an MRI when needed.
It was getting a Dr to prescribe one that was the issue. But many docs decisions are dictated by insurance. You can’t get an MRI without a prescription.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
