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My Specialists docs Won't Take Medicare!!!

 
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marw



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Location: Chicago, IL

PostPosted: April 18, 2006 1:01 AM    Post subject: My Specialists docs Won't Take Medicare!!! Reply with quote

Sad When I called to make an apointment with the specialist that my internal doc referred me to, he would not take Medicare!! This man is so famous that if youjust type his name into the addy bar of the computer pages and pages come up about his achievements! He is exactly who I need to tell me if my messed up hernia surgery can be redone, but I cannot afford him. He gets almost $500 per consult, although he is going to give me half price.....actually $190....his girl said, which is less than half price. But still, even if I do the consult, I could never do surgery with him!! Sad Sad Sad Crying or Very sad

On top of that, I decided to call the specialist in L.A. because through reading a lot, I found that he, too, is very good....but he doesn't take any insurance at all!!!! Can you believe this? His girl said it is up to people to make their own arrangements to be reimbursed by their insurance companies....he doesn't do any of that, and not Medicare at all!

So.....I called a couple more referrrals I had from good doctors here in Chicago.....same thing happened.....the specialists in hernia repair who are well-known and published, etc. WILL NOT TAKE MEDICARE!!

I am so upset. And so depressed.

THe doctor in Cleveland will take Medicare, and he is a hernia specialist, too, but I can't get any verification of his expertise from anyone but himself!! (And his testimonials, that he chooses himself, of course!) I wanted to find another doctor who knew him, or something written about him, but just can't find anything at all. THe only thing I found out is that he has never had any Disciplinary actions or malpractice suits against him. But I need to know more than this. Maybe he is the best in the business....who knows?.....but I want more verification.

I am really, really depresssed. The pain at that scar seems worse thanit used to be.

Thanks for listening. Sad
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Margaret
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bigdaddyscds



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PostPosted: April 25, 2006 6:58 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Maggie,
Be patient and know these things take time to resolve. That doesn't help your discomfort but know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
JOhn
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marw



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PostPosted: April 25, 2006 9:40 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, John!! Very Happy I really appreciate this! As it turned out the Specialist did not charge me at all!! That was really nice of him, and he said he is going to do some research for me, because he doesn't do this type of surgery, it turns out. So far I haven't heard from him, so I am thinking I will go ahead and go to Cleveland. I will post when I decide.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!! Very Happy
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Margaret
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Cowgirl UP!



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PostPosted: April 26, 2006 6:31 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now, I find this strange indeed....if the doctor is so damn good, why is he afraid of accepting insurance payment....now, granted some THINK they are better than God and therefore do not feel they should have to cut their services but the reality of it is.....if they are that damn good then why not welcome the chance to do something decent for a change....

Sorry, Margaret, but this really hit me the wrong way.....no wonder insurance premiums are so high....something really needs to be done about the medical racket that is going on....along with the gas prices....just my thoughts....going back to keeping my big mouth shut now...LOL
Kay
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marw



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PostPosted: April 26, 2006 11:59 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know, Kay. Sad I felt that way too, and still do. But the guy I saw was nice, and he always charges only half price for the Medicare patients if they want to come to him. And he didn't charge me anything at all.

I know, I know. I think they should all do it, but it is their call, I guess. Lots of wealthy people, believe or not, just seem to pay as they go! I can't even imagine it!! Rolling Eyes

Anyway, I am going to Cleveland, and will post the specifics next week.

Very Happy
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Lori



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PostPosted: April 27, 2006 8:56 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Best wishes to you on this, Margaret. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you!

Lori
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Cowgirl UP!



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PostPosted: April 27, 2006 9:30 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok Margaret, I admit I was not having a blessed day Laughing Laughing but my point should have been, that no matter what a person's income is, they qualify for medicare at age 62-65 and thus it becomes their insurance....it is my opinion, that a true doctor should recognize this and accept it....now, like Blue Cross for instance, I am sure they do not want to pay an outrageous fee for an operation that would be done by the same procedure by Dr. John Doe but would not cost as much......I just think we should pay for the service not their name....and hey I am all for profit...that is what I am living on....

Just wanted to clarify my thoughts in hopes no one took offense to what I meant....
Kay
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marw



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PostPosted: April 27, 2006 9:32 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

No offense at all, Kay. And I used to get very upset about that thing about not taking Medicare! You are so right, it IS our insurance! As I said this doc was a great guy, however, and did not charge me anything.....he has also called and said that the docs I asked him about are all good, including the one in Clevelnad.

I think a lot of docs just don't want to bother with the paperwork, which is so horrendous with Medicare, but I don't think that should be an excuse! I was really miffed a while ago, when I tried to see this doctor who has a rep for treating Fibromyalgia, and he didn't take the Medicare!! Actually, I think my own rhuematologist, who does take it, is doing just as good or better that the other one, as it turns out.

What really incensed me, however, was that NEW DRUG PROGRAM!! IF I GET STARTED ON THIS, I WILL RANT FOR PAGES! In order to pay for that drug program, Medicare cut out PHYSICAL THERAPY!!! Can you believe such a thing????? (THey will allow you to go to therapists associated with certain hospitals.....how prejudiced is that!!!!!......but willl not let you go to those working for an "outside" agency! This means you can't go to any of the really good ones, who mostly all work for sports-related injury-type clinics.

Also, I already had very good drug coverage, which I pay for partly and my pension pays the rest, but now I am FORCED TO USE MEDICARE FOR ANY DRUG THEY COVER! This means it costs me more now, and also that I am paying twice. I paid the insurance company, yet I can't use them for all the drugs! And I paid for the Medicare, too!

So many things are not fair! For example I cannot draw my Social Security that I earned all my Life!! Because I worked for a government (the city of Chicago), I can only get my small pension for them for the 20 years.....what about all I paid into Medicare before I became a teacher? There is another 20 years or more that they just outright stole! THey call this theft the "Windfall Clause"! HA!!!!! It certainly is!.......a "windfall" for the government, but not the people who need it!

Well, I am shutting up now. Sorry, I can't keep my mouth shut on that subject! Rolling Eyes BUt my pension is just not enough by itself, because I did not work the full 35 years to get a big one.....so I really, really needed my S.S. If I had that, I would not worry myself to death over how to make ends meet all the time!!! I'm stressed even more than I was when I was working, and if my health would allow it, I would go back to work, but I just cannot at the present time! I always tell people there is nothing "golden" about retirement, just more worries.
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Margaret
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Cowgirl UP!



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PostPosted: April 28, 2006 4:07 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry to have started a ruckus Laughing Laughing but don't you feel better getting it off your chest.....this new drug program is a nightmare...I agree....and a doctor who takes an oath to treat the SICK should do just that regardless of who sends him the check Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes LOL guess they would not want to treat this grumpy old bird... Wink
Kay
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marw



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PostPosted: April 28, 2006 10:41 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kay, ....we seem to be sitting on the same branch of the tree (2 grumpy ole birds!)...now we will know just what to do, should any docs refusing Medicare, walk beneath our branch! Laughing Laughing
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Margaret
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Cowgirl UP!



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PostPosted: April 29, 2006 10:04 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laughing Laughing Laughing life is just a bowl of whatever...
Kay
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