The Vent

[Emancipation 2]

I would never do that with pizza.. no no

but garlic fingers & donair sauce I would probably be one of those taking a whole box and sitting in a corner inhaling every single piece.

[KarenCee 3]

Ok...healthcare vent:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/09/18/ep.co...cine/index.html

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Two friends of mine recently received the same letter in the mail from their internists: Fork over $1,500 or you're out of my practice.

Make sure you know what you're getting for your money if your doctor practices boutique medicine.

Of course, they didn't say it quite that way. The doctors said they'd be cutting their practices down from around 2,500 patients to 600 patients. Those willing to pay the annual fee were promised primo service in return: The doctor's cell phone and/or pager number; "same day or next day appointments that start on time and last as long as needed" and a "full, thorough, comprehensive physical examination that is typically not given in most traditional primary care practices."

"Is it worth it?" my friends asked. "Should I spend the extra money, or should I go find myself another doctor?"

"Get prepared to receive this letter," says Dr. John Santa, director of the Consumer Reports health ratings center. "You can absolutely count on more internists and family doctors doing what these folks are doing."

Virtually unknown 10 years ago, in 2005 there were 500 doctors practicing what's referred to as concierge medicine. Now there are 5,000, according to the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design, a professional society of concierge physicians.

As with any business deal where you're being asked to pay hard, cold cash for an intangible service, the buyer should beware. "Just because they charge a fee and behave exclusively does not make them good," warns bioethicist Art Caplan.

So, if you're thinking about becoming a patient in a concierge practice, here are the right questions to ask:

1. Specifically, what services will I get for my money?

Don't accept vague promises that with a reduced patient load the doctor will be able to provide better service, advises John Rother, executive vice president of policy for the American Association of Retired Persons. Instead, ask specific questions, such as:

• How long will it take you to return phone calls?

• How often will you check e-mails?

• Am I guaranteed same-day appointments, or are you just promising to try to get me in the same day?

• What's the after-hours plan? If I get sick in the middle of the night, will you come to my house? Meet me in your office? Meet me in the emergency room?

2. When I get sick, will I see you, or another doctor?

The big selling point for concierge medicine is access to the doctor. But when you get sick, will you really get to see your own doctor, or one of his partners?

If your doctor practices alone (and many concierge doctors do), ask what will happen if you need her and she's busy tending to another patient. After all, concierge doctors promise care that's not rushed, so if you're getting un-rushed care, so are the doctor's other 599 patients. "There's no way one doctor can be three places at once," says Rother.

3. What capital investments will you be making to improve service?

Maybe the reduced patient load will solve all the problems in your doctor's office, but maybe not. Electronic medical records, more staff, or training for current staff could improve patient service. Ask whether your doctor plans on making any of those investments, advises Santa.

4. How will you save me money?

Given that you'll be spending $1,500 you hadn't planned on, ask whether the doctor can save you money in other places, Santa says. For example, your doctor could suggest less expensive alternatives to drugs you're taking or devices you're using.

The fee is generally considered payment for an in-depth wellness exam not covered by insurance. Most doctors in these practices work with your existing insurance for coverage of office visits, hospital stays and visits to specialists.

5. Ask yourself if money will make your doctor better.

"In the past, has this doctor ever done anything that struck you as extra, as special?" Santa asks. "Have they ever gone out of their way for you? If they haven't, I'd be skeptical. Fifteen-hundred dollars isn't going to convert a doctor. They have to be that kind of person to begin with.

======================================================================

Boutique medicine??? Gawd, is this what this nation is coming to? Has anyone gotten one of these letters?

[MrsCat 6]

Wow - Karen thanks for posting that. That's unbelievable!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Holy cow. And I was thinking something similar. You would think that being on staff at the campus with the best medical centre in the NorthWest we would have super treatment options, right?

Think again: not only does it take FOREVER to see someone, but the University of Washington charges you DOUBLE THE FEES: for the doctor's appointment, PLUS "use of facilities". They svck.

[Mephys 2]

I would never do that with pizza.. no no

but garlic fingers & donair sauce I would probably be one of those taking a whole box and sitting in a corner inhaling every single piece.

That made me snort!

[thetreble 19]

####### Karen!? That is rrrrrridiculous.

[Marilyn. 340]

arrrggghhh... money and family should never mix

hubby has a cell phone that for some reason in his brother's name but we pay the bill and yes our finances were tight so we didn't pay him for a few months... but he never said a thing.. and then a few months ago we payed him all that we owed him plus I payed him for that current month... well, now he is saying that we owe him for 2 months when we only owe him for September...

so I sent him a detailed email about what I had deposited and why etc.... I had done this last month when we had the same disagreement but my hubby just talked to him today and he doesn't believe that we payed him for that one month

[Autumnchik 6]

Ugh Marilyn, I agree, money and family is a sticky situation. Hope it works out.

I am STILL fricking sick. I've been sick for 6 days already, have had a fever for all 6 days. Saw the doc on Wednesday and he told me it was acute bronchitis, viral, so he could only treat the symptoms. My fever has been generally between 102 and 103, after taking Tylenol, it goes down to 100 or 101, only to rise again in an hour or two. Having such extreme chills that I was wearing sweatpants, socks, a nightgown and a sweater, under 3 comforters, with the heat on 80, and I was shaking uncontrollably. I talked to the on call, after hours doc and she echoed that it sounded viral and I just have to wait it out. I am just feeling no signs of getting better and don't know how long I have to "wait". I've been nauseous and vomiting too and the doc prescribed meds for that. Well, tonight, I re-read the side effects list that I probably didn't pay too much attention too earlier, and a rare side effect is fever with chills. So I have no idea if the fever is because of the bronchitis or because of the meds. I stopped the meds and will call the doc tomorrow AM. A funny thing about the meds, usually I have been prescribed fenegren for nausea. This time, it was a generic for THORAZINE!!! Yes, I know that it does treat nausea too, but I have such memories of my internship on the psych. unit, with the poor patients doing the Thorazine shuffle At least, the voices in my head were silenced for a bit (LOL, just kidding!). Remember, I am probably a bit delirious from fever too.

[Kang Lang 7]

my "helpful" husband threw out all the k-1 visa docs including the translations of his birth certificate and said " we're already married baby, i didn't need it anymore i already have my wife"

yay we get to pay $150+ for a new translation when the original was only about $28USD.

[Emancipation 2]

Ugh Marilyn, I agree, money and family is a sticky situation. Hope it works out.

I am STILL fricking sick. I've been sick for 6 days already, have had a fever for all 6 days. Saw the doc on Wednesday and he told me it was acute bronchitis, viral, so he could only treat the symptoms. My fever has been generally between 102 and 103, after taking Tylenol, it goes down to 100 or 101, only to rise again in an hour or two. Having such extreme chills that I was wearing sweatpants, socks, a nightgown and a sweater, under 3 comforters, with the heat on 80, and I was shaking uncontrollably. I talked to the on call, after hours doc and she echoed that it sounded viral and I just have to wait it out. I am just feeling no signs of getting better and don't know how long I have to "wait". I've been nauseous and vomiting too and the doc prescribed meds for that. Well, tonight, I re-read the side effects list that I probably didn't pay too much attention too earlier, and a rare side effect is fever with chills. So I have no idea if the fever is because of the bronchitis or because of the meds. I stopped the meds and will call the doc tomorrow AM. A funny thing about the meds, usually I have been prescribed fenegren for nausea. This time, it was a generic for THORAZINE!!! Yes, I know that it does treat nausea too, but I have such memories of my internship on the psych. unit, with the poor patients doing the Thorazine shuffle At least, the voices in my head were silenced for a bit (LOL, just kidding!). Remember, I am probably a bit delirious from fever too.

Autumnchik.. that sounds horrendous.. Oh my nerves.. I HATE it when a Dr. just says to "wait".. gah.. chills are terrible, hopefully they will either stop now that you've stopped taking the meds, or the Dr's do something more proactive.. gah..!!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Dear Autumnchik,

I have this book.

It is on metaphysical reasons for ailments, and such.

There is a basis of truth to her "theories".

She is Louise L. Hay

The book is Heal Your Body.

Please read her take on having a fever:

FEVER:

Anger.

Burning up.

Affirmation:

I am the cool, calm expression of peace and love.

VIRAL INFECTIONS:

Lack of joy flowing through life.

Bitterness.

Affirmation:

I lovingly allow joy to flow freely in my life. I love me.

What do you have to lose if you consider the possibility?

Try the affirmations; oh, and do drink lots of water.

(L)

[Autumnchik 6]

Thanks Spirit, I will try the affirmations

E, I know, the chills are the worst. Haven't had one since last night so {crossing fingers}

[Marilyn. 340]

so last week Hubby asked for Friday off.. he filled out the vacation request form and everything and he got the day off and today he finds out that he won't get paid for that day because he doesn't get paid vacation till after a year and then it is only 5 days....

when hubby was interviewed they told him that vacation started after 3 months and it was 2 weeks

what really makes me mad is that they should have told him last week that he wouldn't get paid if he took the day off... :angry:

oh and to top things off hubby is only getting paid for 2 hours today because there is no work....

[SapphireDreams 71]

so last week Hubby asked for Friday off.. he filled out the vacation request form and everything and he got the day off and today he finds out that he won't get paid for that day because he doesn't get paid vacation till after a year and then it is only 5 days....

when hubby was interviewed they told him that vacation started after 3 months and it was 2 weeks

what really makes me mad is that they should have told him last week that he wouldn't get paid if he took the day off... :angry:

oh and to top things off hubby is only getting paid for 2 hours today because there is no work....

Did he get an offer letter when he started the job? HR should have given him an offer letter so that he had his salary, vacation and benefits in writing. Then he should've signed the letter and had a witness sign it so that there is no discrepancy. I have done this at every single one of my jobs. if he doesnt have something, he should get something in writing.

[Marilyn. 340]

so last week Hubby asked for Friday off.. he filled out the vacation request form and everything and he got the day off and today he finds out that he won't get paid for that day because he doesn't get paid vacation till after a year and then it is only 5 days....

when hubby was interviewed they told him that vacation started after 3 months and it was 2 weeks

what really makes me mad is that they should have told him last week that he wouldn't get paid if he took the day off... :angry:

oh and to top things off hubby is only getting paid for 2 hours today because there is no work....

Did he get an offer letter when he started the job? HR should have given him an offer letter so that he had his salary, vacation and benefits in writing. Then he should've signed the letter and had a witness sign it so that there is no discrepancy. I have done this at every single one of my jobs. if he doesnt have something, he should get something in writing.

that is part of the problem, the company doesn't have an HR department.. it seems that the secretary handles everything and she doesn't seem to be on top of things...