[PLUG-TALK] I hate the medical care system

David Mandel dmandel at davidmandel.com
Mon Jun 24 08:12:24 UTC 2013


Yes indeed.  I have to see my doctor this week, because he won't extend a
prescription for a fairly routine drug prior to my annual physical and I'm
only a 2-4 months over due on the physical and he has seen me since then
for some unrelated issues.

A lot of the problem is the way our insurance system interacts (oversees)
medical services.

David


On Sun, Jun 23, 2013 at 10:27 PM, John Jason Jordan <johnxj at comcast.net>wrote:

> For 15-20 years I have had occasional numbness in my left hand, slowly
> getting worse. From the symptoms it is the radial nerve, and from my
> history it is probably connected to a nasty fracture of the humerus at
> age 10. It is now to the point where I am waking up in agony from pain.
> Something must be done.
>
> Clearly I need a neurologist. So I call a few neurologists in Portland
> metro, and discover that not one of them will see me without a referral
> from a primary care physician. "No problem, " I think. "I'll just call
> my PCP for the referral."
>
> "I am sorry but Dr. X cannot give you a referral because it has been
> over a year since he last saw you."
>
> In spite of my protests nothing could change the mind of the "referral
> specialist."
>
> So I am expected to pay for two doctor visits in order to see the one I
> need to see? Is this why the US spends vastly more on health care than
> any other country but is down to 38th in life expectancy?
>
> I see a trip to Tijuana in my near future.
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