Re: A light at the end of the tunnel?
From: Kay (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 28 Jun 2000 18:20:46 -0500 (CDT)
I have an HMO too and get that feeling most of the time. I read an
article recently that may explain why. It said that many HMO's pay what
is called a "capitated" payment plan. That means that each DR. gets so
much per year per patient to cover EVERYTHING. If the doc sees you more
than a couple of times each year, they are basically doing it for free
under this system...it really stinks. They get "punished" for referring
etc. too. I'm in the process of checking to see if my HMO does that
and if so, may try to get on another plan if possible. I don't think we
should go to national healthcare, I have friends in Canada who are
always complaining about their system, but allowing Dr.s to treat when
necessary, etc. seems like only good medicine to me. Insurance can be
so frustrating.
--
Kay 1
At Wed, 28 Jun 2000, D. wrote:
>
>At Wed, 28 Jun 2000, Kay wrote:
>>
>>Dear D.--The problem with treating PCOS (or a potential case of it) with
>>just hormones is that the root cause of insulin resistance is never
>>treated.
>
>Thank you Kay,
>
>Explanations like these are one reason that I am indeed grateful that I
>have found this site. When my doctor offered me those birth control
>pills, it seemed like it was just too easy a fix for such a large group
>of symptoms. Something in me at that split second in time said that it
>wasn't the right thing to do based on only one blood test for thyroid
>hormone levels. The only reason she did the test in the first place was
>because I had been experiencing higher levels of fatigue than I thought
>I should at 36. The blood test revealed an elevated white count due to
>a latent sinus infection (which I already suspected) that they had been
>treating as an allergic condition. I practically had to beg for that
>one single blood test. I'm on the hunt now for a different doctor, but
>I have to stay at the same facility (primary care provider) unless I
>want to pay out of pocket. I need to talk one of them into a referral
>to an endocrinoligist to stay within the bounds of my HMO.
>
>Do any of you get the feeling from your doctors that you just aren't
>sick enough to be worth their time? Granted, there are some pretty sick
>people that the GP's see on a daily basis. People with heart disease,
>cancer, diabetes.....how on earth do I try to get a doctor to understand
>that I want to be cared for NOW, so that I don't end up as one of those
>very sick people in the future? I thought preventative care was a big
>thing in the medical community...guess not.
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