A clinic where you get to set the prices for your visit. Sure, a recommended fee would be great, but take a look at my experience today.
Last night at Gma and Gpa's house, Kiera stuck a pea up her nose. Normal, believe me. Not the first time. But it is the first time (for either child) that we have not been able to get it out. I called the office today to ask if I should bring her in or wait until tomorrow morning when we already have both of their well-child check ups scheduled. The nurse was adamant; "Oh! Bring her in! You don't want it to get in any further!"
Ok, scheduled the appointment.. went in... asked if we could do the well-child today and just cancel the Kiera portion of tomorrow's appointment. Nope, he's too busy today to fit in a well-child, even if we aren't vaccinating. OK, fine, just trying to avoid another co-pay.
The outcome? "No big deal." She doesn't have any issues eating or breathing, and after looking up her nose (no differently than we did!) he says she must have swallowed it during the night. Just watch for continuous discharge (aka snotty nose) on one side, and if that occurs we will look closer. There really isn't anywhere for it to go-- peas are bigger than any of the sinus cavity openings.
This was NOT the impression the nurse gave me! No questions about symptoms -- just bring her in!
My opinion? Parenting is hard enough without worrying about money! I just blew a $20 co-pay to hear someone do nothing different that what four people had previously done to her, and tell me it's fine. No worries.
Did I tell you about our Nursemaid's elbow visit? It was on a weekend, so we took her into the ER... Total bill? $650 for a minor adjustment to her arm. The first time she did it after that Gabe Googled it and we fixed ourselves, and have again since then. A whole chiropractor's visit is $35 if we pay out of pocket.... compared to $650...
I know the arguments, their time is worth money. But how much time? And how much money? $650 for less than 5 minutes with a nurse, and less than 5 minutes with a doc? How do you gauge your child's well-being compared to the bill that might come later? I understand when it is a more serious condition, and thankfully we have yet to experience that, but for minor situations where really, just a reassuring "she'll be fine"would suffice, these should be a *little* cheaper.
Thanks for the vent time. I am just frustrated with the medical costs... I don't mind paying for a birth or broken arm, or medicine when appropriate. But the ratio should be a little more scaled, in my opinion.
A specialty "Quick Solutions" clinic. That's going to make my million, off charging $5 a visit :-)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
They have to assume the worst. If it was something horrible you'd be mad if they didnt. They have to assume your telling them every single detail and them not being able to look for themselves. But I do agree with you. If you take them in and all they have to do is "look" and nothing else. It should be a cheaper cost then if they accually have to take some sort of action. Mabey we should google first too next time
~Linds
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! We got a bill from the clinic yesterday. A charge for almost $50 that insurance did not pay for an x-ray Karston had back on June 2nd of 2007! A year ago, and I'm just now being billed for it.
I had something similar happen, so I always call and be sure I'm paid up and clear on everything. I remember paying it all, and now another bill!!
And our co-pay is $30! I know it may sound bad, but we do everything we can to avoid going to the dr. and having to pay that.
Once I realized it, I've been greatful that our dr. doesn't need to see Karston til he's ready to go to school. I take him with me when Makaila goes, but he hasn't been in since his 2 yr. check up, other than last year when he wouldn't walk on his one foot for about 6 hours and kept complaining it hurt. That too was a wasted dr. visit. Apparently his foot was asleep for 6 hours (so they told us), but not just the co-pay but also x-rays and labs $130 later!
Post a Comment