The new patient signs in up front.Mary: "Hi, can I get a copy of your insurance card?"
Mr. Card: "I don't have it here. But you said on the phone that you take my insurance."
Mary: "I'm sure we do, but we need a copy of your card to bill."
Mr. Card: "Well, I don't have it. It's Medicare, or maybe Blue Cross. Actually, it could be United. Anyway, it's one of those insurance companies."
Mary: "Okay, but without your card there's a chance you'll end up paying cash for today's visit."
Mr. Card: "I can't afford that. Maybe it's down in my car."
(leaves, 10 minutes go by, comes back)
Mary: "Hi, did you find your card?"
Mr. Card: "No, but I have the info here."
He hands Mary a crumpled McDonald's receipt, with grease stains and an order for 2 Big Macs and fries. On the back he'd scribbled "37642AKT047, expires 7."Mary: "Do you know what insurance company this is with?"
Mr. Card: "No, but it's one of the big ones. Can't you look it up on the internet?"
Mary: "Sir, we can't accept this in place of an insurance card."
Mr. Card: "Doctors just don't care about people any more."
Leaves.