Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thanks for the Co-pay. Go Home.

I was seeing this lady in her 30's today. She has migraines and neck pain. Fine.

So I offered her some Imitrex: "No! That's a migraine drug! I don't want that on my insurance record! That will raise my rates!"

So I recommended pain meds and/or muscle relaxants: "No! I've worked for insurance companies! If they see that on my record, I'll NEVER be able to get insurance! Ever!"

So I suggested she try physical therapy: "No! Never! Once they see I've been to physical therapy, I'll never be able to get coverage!"

Okay, Whatever.

Two issues, ma'am:

1. If you are so afraid of your insurance company finding out about your health, THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE, USING YOUR POLICY IN THE FIRST PLACE?

2. I'm pretty sure that your 3-PACK-A-DAY cigarette habit is going have a bigger impact on your health and premiums than ANY of my treatments ever will.

Just some thoughts. Have a nice day.

18 comments:

Kate said...

Not to mention that the cost of a three pack a day habit would cover a significant jump in premiums. According to this article on MSN a three pack a day habit will cost you about 5k a year!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/HighCostOfSmoking.aspx

Doctor D said...

It really is shocking what will cause insurance companies to drop your ass! In never realized this until I tried to buy insurance for my family.

It makes me want to never diagnose anyone with any condition again.

An insurance person got furious at me on the phone when I neglected to mention that my kid had had an ear infection as a baby. She more or less accused me of lying when I said he was healthy. WTF? Every baby gets one or two ear infections!

RSDS said...

If she didn't want what you had to offer; then just what did she want?

John Woolman said...

Interesting. In the UK a lot of middle class parents claim reluctance to take their kids to the ER after minor injuries because of the possible consequences that such an entry on their medical records might have in a society where the state is becoming more and more intrusive.

Serious Replies Only said...

Why bother coming in? Geez.

Cap'n Cakez said...

I think you should offer her trephining is a possible treatment option for her migraines!!

Some people...

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Auffer- Excellent idea! I can even do that as in in-office procedure!

Mickey said...

Toss her a Chantix script... Yikes.

SumDood said...

Um, why not just pay cash? No one has to know.

Ron said...

two words: Natural Selection

Flavius said...

What exactly are you paying for, if you have no plans of utilizing the coverage?

-Flavius

Matt M said...

A line from the movie Fun With Dick and Jane comes to mind. Having had their claim turned down, Janes asks, "Why do I even have insurance?"

"Peace of mind," responds the agent.

Anonymous said...

While I'm not sure why she was there if she didn't want any help with the migraines, I understand her reluctance to try some of those medications.

I've had some kidney problems in the past and I had the beginning stages of cervical cancer at the age of 18. Those aren't a problem for insurance companies.

What is a problem for insurance companies is the fact that I used Topamax as a prophylactic for migraines. Depending on the insurance company, I'm either denied coverage because of this one medication or my rates jump up over a thousand dollars a month.

The Good Cook said...

She's in her thirties, she has plenty of time to be turned down for all kinds of insurance. At the 50 mark - now I'm scared and I don't have a 3 pack a day habit of anything...

knitalot3 said...

Maybe she just needed to look into Ed's eyes and find peace and serenity. Migraines cured!

Quill2006 said...

I just got private health insurance; I'm a healthy woman in my 20s. Honestly, I'm scared to be diagnosed with anything, because I've had such trouble getting reasonably priced insurance and I'm healthy! I can't imagine the trouble I would have if I had any health issues. I had one company raise my rates because I'd had acne as a teenager. EVERYONE has acne as a teen.

Normal, occasional illness is suddenly a reason to revoke your insurance.

Anonymous said...

Maybe she just wanted your validation that the problem wasn't all in her head Oh, wait...

I've been diagnosed with asthma, RA, APAH, Raynaud's, hypothyroid, and angina. My insurance company can't drop me because of contractual obligations. I'm starting to worry that they'll just have me killed instead.

Square Peg Guy said...

Maybe she hoping you'd write her a script for narcotics?

 
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