So I take L to the doctor last Thursday. We are there for an hour and a half and he receives very good care. The nurses and the doctor take his blood pressure, temperature, listen to his heart and lungs and review his medication in detail. Simultaneously, with this appointment that I dutifully schedule every six months, L, also happens to have a terrible cold. This causes a mini-panic because this not a SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR A COLD. Yes, it is difficult for the staff to figure out how to handle that. L is in a very complex wheel chair. They know, because I have told them a thousand times,(and not always in a nice way, I must confess) that he must pay over $100 just to GET to the doctor because Medicare will not pay to transport him by wheelchair. So, on the one hand, they know they should treat him for the cold, but on the other hand that is NOT why he is here. He is here for his six month check-up. Of course, the doctor has no trouble with this, but the INSURANCE DEMONS cause all kinds of havoc when the information does not match.

“What do you mean you treated him for a bronchial infection? He was listed for a six-month check up.”

“Yes, well, when he came in for his check-up, he happened to have a bronchial infection. What would you have me do? Ignore that?”

This is how I imagine the conversation goes between the doctor’s office and the insurance demons. Of course, we get the appropriate medicine for his infection and within a day, L is feeling much better.

On Tuesday….five days later….the doctor’s office calls me:

“L needs to come in for a physical.”

“Well, he was just there on Thursday. He had his blood pressure taken, his heart and lungs listened to, his ears flushed of extra wax, and all his meds updated. What EXACTLY does he need a physical for?”

“Well that was listed as a blood pressure check, not a physical?”

“Well, I called for the appointment. I did NOT call it a blood pressure check appointment. I was told he needs a check up every 6 months, especially to make sure he gets his medication. So( and here we go….) SINCE IT COSTS HIM $100 EVERY TIME SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE HIM….unless you’re going to do something different than what was done on Thursday, he’s not coming until December.”

“Ok , well, I will tell the doctor you refused.”

“No, you tell the doctor, that I ASKED: “what are you going to do differently than 5 days ago?”

“Well, he will look at him…..”

“We were there for an hour and a half, I don’t think he needs to look at him just now. So unless  you can get back to me and explain why I need to spend another $100 to transport him there for something DIFFERENT than last Thursday, we will see you in December.”

So there it is.;..you can see the doctor as much as you need to…..as long as you make the appointment for the right thing.