Observing the Death of Communication and Courtesy...

[BigBear]

not to steal anyones thunder, but I need to bitch.

I have 4 boys 6 and under. They go to the doctor less than 1 time a year or even 2 years. So, my wife made an appointment to take them in. Well they call back and say, they cant see them all in one day. (why,they see 4 kids in a day, why not my 4 kids in a day.) so my wife talks them into doing 2 kids today and 2 kids thursday. this is an incovenience for us, since we live 56 miles round trip from the closest doctors office. As we are leaving for the doctor this morning my wife gets a call and says they cant let us bring both kids in. Only 1 kid per family per day. WTF. why is this. and what in the world could be the reasoning? And my wife said the lady was a bitch about it.

I can answer... they are too busy working with the illegal's kids that a citizen can't get in. They get more money for the illegals....

[sniper7]

I don't go to doctors. i hate sitting in the office waiting...seems like forever. you wait to be seen, usually only then by an assistant or a nurse, then you wait again for the doctor, sometimes for quite a while. obongo care will only make this worse.

[ShooterJM]

I have often wondered if you could bring some sort of action against a medical office for an extremely delayed appointment.

I usually just switch doctors, but have been known to call the practice from the waiting room or exam room and voice my annoyance.

If it's an extreme case (and for some reason I can't reschedule with a doctor that owns a clock) I'll send the office a bill for services rendered at my consulting rate. Never does get paid, but it usually lets me have a nice long chat with the doctor and the practice manager.

[weirjf]

Last time I went in for a sinus infection the doctor walked in and without even looking at me said "so, you have a cold"

I looked her right in the eyes, walked over to the paper towel dispenser and managed to clear my sinuses with pure effort and anger, somehow managing to not burst my own ear drums and put it on the table snot-up

"if that looks like a cold to you then I want a 2nd opinion"

[SU405]

Get some fart spray, a woopie cushion, and cough alot. should clean the waiting room and "Your Next"

I love reading the posts here.

I just don't go to doctors.... which would explain a lot.... darnit.....

After my car wreck... no Sir, no more docs for me. If it's that bad, just let me die. Forget a funeral, throw me in the woods and let the animals have a snack.

So much win.

I say something similar to my wife. No funeral works, I just dont want to be a snack for the animals.lol

[TEAMRICO]

Boy, when Obama Care continues to get Rahmed through, despite the Judges ruling. I cant wait to see how they are when they have absolutely have no motivation to serves us!

[theGinsue]

I couldn't agree with you more on both issues - communication & courtesy.

I had to get an upper GI done a few months back (to officially diagnose my acid reflux & ensure it wasn't something more severe).

As a retiree, I still use military TriCare as my primary provider (this is laced with it's own set of communication & courtesy issues). I received a referral to a place here in Colo Spr and made the appt.

The gastro dr office sent me a packet of documents I had to fill out IN ADVANCE and a very poor map to their location. I looked over the paperwork they expected me to complete and had major issues with a few of the forms. I didn't sign these forms as I wanted to get clarification on them before I completted myself. Upon arrival, the receptionist rather snottily informed me that these forms were supposed to be completed before I arrived.

The first of the two biggest issues was the part that I had to sign that said it was okay for the doctor to do other procedures in the course of this procedure at his discretion. This didn't sit well with me because I didn't WANT any other procedures done during this procedure - especially since I was going to be given the amnesiac med for this procedure and wouldn't remember giving further approval, plus, I just wanted to get a diagonosis for acid reflux, nothing more. Additionally, TriCare will not pay for other procedures uness they give prior approval or unless it's an emergency. When I asked the receptionist about this she said that any other procedures wouldn't necessarily be "just for emergencies" - if the doctor felt I needed something done, he's do it. RED FLAG #1.

My next biggest issue is that I had to sign saying that any fee my insurance did not pay, I would be responsible to pay. Now, if you've ever looked at how much is billed and how much insurance companies actually "approve" & pay, it's often something like 25%. So what, if they billed $10k for the procedure and TriCare only paid $1500, would I be on the hook for the remaining $8500? According to the receptionist, the answer was YES. RED FLAG #2.

Just asking these questions IMMEDIATELY got the receptionist outright hostile. Not unpleasant or even snippy, but hostile! I was advised that if I had issues with signing their required forms that I needed to just leave - but of course, I would be charged for the visit since I didn't cancel it before their established cancellation window.

After discussing it with my wife, she encouraged me to go ahead and sign the second form (the one about paying the fees my insurance company didn't). I refused to sign the one about other procedures.

The receptionist then went and spoke to one of the nurses about the issue I had with the remaining form (obviously telling her how difficult I was being). The nurse came and quite nicely asked me what issue I was having. I explained my reservations to which she informed me that the doctor would only do additional procedures if he felt they were urgently needed but if I still had an issue she would ask the doctor. I asked if she would do that. She took the form in question and came back a minute later with the part I had issues with maked through with bold black marker. This satisfied me, so I signed the form.

At no time did I ever stop speaking politely to any of the staff, including the nasty receptionist. Nor did I raise my voice or change my tone from being friendly, yet concerned. In fact, because the reception area was crowded, I kept my voice low, but this receptionist was practically yelling at me - all in an attempt to humiliate me.

I can't imagine how any establishment can stay in business with front-line customer service people who do everything in their power to belittle and offend the customers.

It is certainly a sad world we now live in.

[Mtn.man]

Well it isn't something new. Drs offices have always had a problem with logistics.

If I ain't cut something off or am in a coma I don't go.
I have sewed my fingers up, fixed em when there broke etc.

I take advantage of the E room for serious shit.

Did have a physical awhile back doc said I was fine don't come back for awhile, so I'll wait another 10 years and see what develops. actually I have to have one every 2 to 3 for the drag race thing.

[funkfool]

I had this happen to me too...
Receptionist got ALL hostile with me for asking why the Dr. was an HOUR late...
He wasn't even IN THE OFFICE!
He was giving testimony in court... can't you freaking CANCEL you appt's for that day???
WTF?


Makes you want to slap a b*t¢h.

[Byte Stryke]

Makes you want to slap a b*t¢h.

Getcher war paint on, we goin' all Native American up in Here
'cuz we about to join the Slapaho Tribe!