My job lasted until April 30th, and my health insurance benefits that went along with it expired on May 31st, one day after his last radiation treatment. That coverage kept us out of the poor house and bankruptcy court, and I was so thankful that we had it.
In 2007, FabGrandpa signed up for his health care benefits through the Veterans Administration, one of his benefits from having served in the Navy back in the early 70’s. But that still left me with no health care insurance. I dealt with this lack of coverage by getting my prescription drugs from Mexico, where you don’t need a prescription, and only going to the doctor when absolutely necessary. Like when I had that palpable mass and pain in my arm, and that kidney stone last summer. All of that was paid for out of pocket, but there have been times during those years when I had to make a decision not to go to the doctor because I simply couldn’t afford it.
Among my many goals for 2010 was to establish a relationship with a doctor, and to get my health care taken care of on a more regular basis. I asked people around here who they would go to, and Dr. Lee was the name that came up most often. Today was the day for my appointment with Dr. Lee. He is a general practioner in a small town in Alabama. He is one of those guys who does all the labs, x-rays, and EKG’s right there in his office. He was knowledgeable about Celiac disease, and that made me happy. And he didn’t holler at me too much about my lackadasiycal attitude about my health care over the past decade.
The exam went quite well. I peed in the cup, they took blood for an hbA1c, kidney function, and blood chemistry; did a chest X-ray; and EKG; and took my blood pressure. We talked for a while about Celiac disease: He asked me why I thought I had it, how long I have not been eating wheat, did I feel better not eating gluten, did I want to be tested? He said he wished more people would listen to their bodies and believe that the foods they eat could be more of a factor in their diseases. He told me that there were tests he could to determine if I have Celiac, but they are expensive, and I would have to eat gluten again for a while for them to be accurate, and if I was feeling better not eating gluten then I probably do have Celiac and he wouldn’t recommend the testing.
We are waiting for the blood test results before he writes any prescriptions for me, but he said he would probably continue me on metformin 500 mg per day, as my blood sugar this morning was 110. He will probably add a low dosage blood pressure medication because my blood pressure was 143/91, and he was afraid that combined with my type II diabetes could cause some kidney damage. They are scheduling me for the dreaded mammogram, and will wait the results of the stool sample to decide if I really need a colonoscopy. All the things Dr. Lee did today came to a total of $186 plus whatever the lab charges for the blood tests he sent to them. If this had been in the Atlanta area, it would have cost about $350. But believe me when I tell you there have been lots of times in the last ten years when I didn’t have that much money in my pocket.
And, while he DID reprimand me somewhat for my long wait between physical exams, he commended me for taking control of my healthcare issues. I have taken my medications, even if obtaining them from Mexico was somewhat risky. I did get an hbA1c every 3-4 months, even if I did buy them over the counter from Wal-Mart most of the time. I found out I could be gluten intolerant and deleted gluten from my life. So, even though I haven’t been faithful to the medical professionals, I have been getting healthcare in ways I could afford.
UPDATE: the doctor’s office called this morning. My hbA1c was 6.1, where they want it be less than 7. Kidney function was fine, all blood chemistry was normal, not even high cholesterol! The NP who called said she was very impressed with the numbers, and again commended me for taking good care of myself, and AGAIN said she was sure that not eating gluten was helping to keep my numbers normal. I will be taking blood pressure meds, but I expected that.
UPDATE: the doctor’s office called this morning. My hbA1c was 6.1, where they want it be less than 7. Kidney function was fine, all blood chemistry was normal, not even high cholesterol! The NP who called said she was very impressed with the numbers, and again commended me for taking good care of myself, and AGAIN said she was sure that not eating gluten was helping to keep my numbers normal. I will be taking blood pressure meds, but I expected that.
Elaine says
Karen,
Think again, for all those tests here in Gwinnett county, count on about double to triple $350.00. Doctors no longer have any lab work in-house. You have to go to a lab or the hospital. I believe you got an outstanding deal!
Now, watch your blood sugar ALL this week and weekend as we go out next Tuesday to Dwezill!
Elaine
diane says
I found this post interesting because I have never been able to understand the health insurance schemes in America. We have been hearing on the news about the cotroversy over a health care scheme. We have private health care cover wich is expensive $290 AU a month but we don't pay anthing for hospital and extras.
Everybody is covered by the federal Governments Medicare scheme there is a small tax for that but it means everyone can afford to visit a doctor. Some doctors only charge the scheduled fee and so it is free for the patient. Other doctors add on about 10 dollars so that's all it costs. Although specialists can charge more, however if you are on a pension its all free.
Judy and Emma says
Karen, I'm happy you have found a doctor you are comfortable with and can afford. I'm fortunate to have full coverage until 65. I haven't had to use it yet other than bi-yearly physicals, but you never know. Sounds like you made a good diagnosis to go gluten free. Take care of yourself….
Dee says
good going Karen.
Gaelyn says
Wow Karen, I'm impressed. You really got lucky finding a good doctor. It's been so long since I've had a true physical I can't remember. The sad part of having no health insurance and being poor, but not poor enough for assistance. I just have to hope for the best. Sounds like you'll have many healthy years to come if you listen to your own body.
Susan Adcox says
I'm so upset with our system of paying for health care. My husband and I both recently had colonoscopies, for which the charge was listed as $1,878. The medical facility had negotiated with the insurance company and arrived at a price of $525. Those who do not have insurance are charged the full price. If they can't pay it, it eventually comes back to us, the taxpayers.
Here's another conundrum: my husband has one insurance policy. I have two. I'm on his insurance and I have a policy of my own. I had to pay more out-of-pocket for my colonoscopy than he did for his because I have two insurance policies. I've been told by several medical accountants that I would be better off if I dropped my own coverage. How does that make sense? How can two insurance policies be worse than one?
I am praying that we get a national health plan soon. We heard a statistic the other day that medical insurance companies pay out around 74% of their monies in claims, which means they are keeping around 26% in administrative costs. No wonder, with such a convoluted system! Our governmental systems, such as Social Security, run on just a few percentage points.
Sorry to get on my soapbox, but your post touched a nerve. I hope your test results are good!
Ginger says
Karen, I really LIKE your doctor. I'm sure that while he was gently chastising you for your delay in getting to the doctor, he was keenly aware of our country's health insurance crisis. You have just defined why I work at a very low paying job – making less than I made when I was 19 years old (almost 31 years ago). It's because I have good insurance coverage. It's because I have a chance to carry that coverage indefinitely after 10 years of service (I've currently put in 10 months). It's because, for me and my family, coverage only costs $367 per month vs. $900+ dollars per month for just me and one of my daughters at my last job.
I wish you great health and non-tender ta-tas after the mammogram. I've had two now and neither were as uncomfortable as I expected. In fact, they weren't bad at all. 🙂
Sallie (FullTime-Life) says
Karen, I'm catching up but hoping you see this comment. It's wonderful that you found a doctor who appreciates your pro-active stance in taking care of your own health and congratulations that you are doing such a good job at that.
But oh my God our health care system is such a mess. Why should you not be able to go to a doctor when you need to? In every other developed country in the world you would.
When I saw those old people (who are on social security and medicare) lobbying their congresspeople to vote against health care reform, it made me embarrassed to be a white-haired old lady. I couldn't believe the "I've got mine, you can't have your's attitude" of so many senior citizens.
I don't know if the new legislation will help you and so many others who need it (we have a son who was laid off and he and his wife and child right now are totally without insurance). I hope they accomplished something.
Anyway — I'm really glad you found that good doctor.
AND ON THE TOP POST — CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW GRANDDAUGHTER — HOW COOL you posted her first picture.
Karen says
Sallie and all: This post is sort of rant against our health care system as it is today. Yes, I should be able to go to the doctor when I need to, and not have to worry about taking medications that I don't have a prescription for because I can't afford to go to the doctor. Everyone in this country should be able to.
And yes, there are so many older people on Social Security who are ranting against any changes, because they sit around all day looking at CNN. they think that everything they hear on TV is true that if the health care bill passes that they are in effect being issued a death warrant. I have had harsh words with my own mother because she uses that same old crap argument "Why should "I" have to pay higher taxes to make sure "they" (the people who don't have insurance) get health care.
She said to me "I worked hard all my life to get what I have now" and I replied to her "I worked hard all MY life too, and it got me laid off after 20 years with no health insurance. I deserve to have affordable health care too!" And she had no reply to that.
I also told her that there are millions of people in this country who work as hard or harder than she ever did, and still have no health insurance and can not afford to pay for their care.
If other countries can provide health care for their citizens, this one should be able to come up with a plan too. It is the right thing to do!
Sallie (FullTime-Life) says
RIGHT ON SISTER!! (I wish I were smart enough to do more than just express my opinon.)