Three tired things

[mrissa]

--I went to get timprov a sandwich before I go to bed (he doesn't drive these days, for those of you who didn't keep score on that issue, so that's why he didn't go get his own sandwich), and I shocked the middle-aged Hispanic gentleman working the drivethrough: I had my long coat on and buttoned, and a short nightgown underneath it, so all he could see from the window was my coat and my bare legs peeking out from under the coat. He averted his eyes with a polite and pained look. Poor fellow.

--I really, really hate it when medical personnel use the phrase "insurance might not cover it" in tones that convey threat instead of information. The subtext should be "just want to make sure you know before you make that decision" rather than "so just shut up and do it like everyone else even if that way doesn't work for you, because it's way easier for me."

--I like being smart, and I also like being clever, but they are definitely not the same thing. I am going round and round with "Flight of the Paleontologist" because it's about balancing accurate and appealing information in science journalism for the lay person. (Sounds thrilling, right? But there are dinosaurs. Relevant dinosaurs, even.) But my brain has gone and plotted a short story playing with Eudora Welty and the Grateful Dead and dwarves, all without my consent. (Title: "Why I Live in the Silver Mine.") Clever, probably; probably not particularly smart, however. Stupid brain.

Comments

[orbitalmechanic.livejournal.com]

In order, (1) is that the GEEK LVRS shirt? (2) I would read your Eudora Welty story.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

(1) Why, yes it is! And I love it. ("Geek lever?" said Timprov. Yes. Give me this shirt and a place to stand, and I can move the geeks.)

This icon is the one that has open geek html notation on the front and close geek on the back. Same picture larger here (http://www.dd-b.net/gallery/picpage/ddb/SnapshotAlbum/data/2005/03250-Minicon-40/Monday?pic=ddb%2020050328%20010-072).

(2) Heh. Thanks. I didn't mean to say that it wouldn't be a worthwhile story, just that it was not the direction of thinking I was trying to do.

[diatryma.livejournal.com]

The oral surgeon dudes refused to operate on my brother's jaw as scheduled (in June) because they weren't sure insurance would pay for it (I don't think it did). So in August, we pretty much paid cash. They wouldn't touch him without a cashier's check.
Stupid, greedy people.

If I may offer another point of view...

[careswen.livejournal.com]

I handle billing for a small private practice physical therapy clinic.

If I'm not sure insurance will pay for something, I will bill the insurance and at least let them consider it. I won't ask for payment from a patient up front.

But I would be within my rights to do so. It's not greed, it's sound business. Just like any other business, a clinic has to pay rent, pay its staff, buy and fix equipment, etc., etc. If I don't require quick payment, we suffer. My clinic is currently struggling financially, and facing a potential layoff.

I do believe, however, that more clinic billing staff should be sensititive to the needs and abilities of their patients. Which is why I consider myself an advocate, helping the patient to fight for their insurance coverage.

I would blame your brother's insurance company for being unclear -- the billing staff can only work with what info the insurer gives them. We billers are just as overworked as everyone else, fighting a losing battle against insurers who rip us off daily.

Unfortunately, my approach to patient advocacy may also may be part of why my clinic is in such dire straits. Sometimes, you have to put the business first. If we close because we're too kind to the people who can't pay, we can't help anyone.

Re: If I may offer another point of view...

[diatryma.livejournal.com]

I understand putting the business first-- but we'd been working on this for more than a year and all they refused to do without money was the big surgery. We'd known it was coming and been telling everyone involved, most of them had given support either by doing things to my brother or by paying for them, and then when the big expense came up... nope, it's nonessential (because he's not starving to death yet) and clearly, if the insurance won't pay for it, no one will.

Health care people don't have to treat anyone. I wish they could reasonably expect people to pay and be able to pay for medical care. But there was prep work involved and they tossed us into three months of limbo. We were ready to break his jaw with a bat and have them put it back right so they'd have to do it then.

The jaw people annoy my family. It's a weird little sore point because it messed up a lot of things we'd expected-- we wanted him to be convalescing in the summer rather than during school, mostly. On the plus side, he does look great now and is able to eat things, and he uses the smile we paid so much for. The surgeon did a good job once he had the money, and I think he repaid us for what he overcharged... eventually.

Re: If I may offer another point of view...

[careswen.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you were all put through too much, more than was necessary. I hope that clinic learned something from this experience, to better help the next patient.

One of the reasons that I try so hard to work kindly with our patients is because I know many of them have already been through the wringer with their doctors and surgeons, long before it was time to come for physical therapy.

One of my physical therapists actually specializes with jaw problems. Though I hope your brother is all well, if he ever needs PT, I'd be happy for an opportunity to help your family, and hopefully help you better than your last experience.

Re: If I may offer another point of view...

[diatryma.livejournal.com]

This was actually us putting his face back where it should be-- his jaw grew right, and the rest of his head didn't, so it looked like his jaw waaaay overgrew. We've known for years he'd have some major surgery before college; we didn't know about the botched orthodontic work or the cashier's check.
He's actually the reason I've never had braces. "You might want to get her bite checked out," always met with, "Have you seen the boy?"