"Gold that buys health can never be ill spent." - Thomas Dekker

[anastasiav]

I just want to take a moment to rant a little about my current chief frustration with the healthcare system.

As you may know, I can't drive right now because of my busted up leg. Probably not for another four or five weeks at least (unless my doctor totally surprises me).

Right now, on a weekly basis, I have the following: Three PT visits, one weekly visit with my surgeon, plus two lab visits (must be on Monday and Thursday) for blood draws (related to the clot).

My PT is in the same building -- in fact the same practice -- as the surgeon. The surgeon has ordered the blood draws. So it seems obvious to me that they could try to schedule them all together, but not so.

They cannot schedule my surgeon's visit either before or after a PT visit -- can't fit it in, sorry. So now that's on Monday and my PT is Tues-Thurs-Fri. Which means I'll be at their office for both the Monday and Thursday blood draws, right? Wrong. I need to somehow get to the lab (across town) to have the blood draws done. No idea how I'm going to do that.

Last week we were helped by two visits from a home health nurse, but because I'm not "housebound" I'm not eligible for their services.

So, I can't drive, and I'm trying to juggle six separate doctors appointments over the next five days, as well as work at both jobs. Something is going to have to give here, and I can't quite figure out what its going to be yet. But in any case, my well being (either fiscal or physical) is going to suffer because of it.

Comments

[desyana.livejournal.com]

I completely understand, as i had the same problem when I trashed my ankle and couldn't drive for 6 months.
Does your city/town/county offer a "handicap van"? It saved my life! Yes, it cost a bit more then usual bus rides, but I got door-to-door service in my wheelchair and all I had to do was schedule the ride one day in advance.

It may help you out a bit.

Otherwise I was very dependent on the kindness of friends and neighbors.

[anastasiav.livejournal.com]

They do, but they have an income eligibility thingy, so we don't qualify.

Home Health and other things

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

Monday and Thursday are the days for blood work for anyone on blood thinners. All across the country, really.

The "homebound" rule for home care depends on the insurance company. Some require home bound status, some do not. If your health insurance company is requiring this status, they are not going to pay for home care.

What about asking your laywer about who is paying and whether there are other ideas she has?

Is there another lab you can use at all? Is there a service that will come to work or home that you can pay for? Some phlebotomists will travel that way and it is less expensive than a home health nurse.

Another idea is to ask to talk to a nurse in your health insurance company or in the MD office (any of them) and ask for ideas. They may have run into this before and have clever ideas on what to do.

If you end up taking taxis to all this shit, keep your receipts.

I am sorry this is so difficult. There has to be an easier way to do it all.

[rhiannon14.livejournal.com]

You know, you're the customer. Play hardball with them. Make them realize that YOUR schedule is more important than THEIR schedule, and you'll bloody be available for tests when it's workable for you. Please remember that your doctor is not your boss.

[sboyko.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry your health care providers can't be more accomodating. :P

[bunnyjadwiga.livejournal.com]

*hugs *
I so sympathize.