It’s a comedy

The healthcare nightmare update that will leave you dumbfounded.

I’ve felt like a patient in a daytime medical drama. This couldn’t possibly be real. The following are actual conversations I’ve had this month.

A few weeks ago…

Receptionist: Endocrinology, how can I help you?
Me: I have a referral from the free clinic, and I’d like to make an appointment.
Receptionist: Reads the referral to me. [for the record, it is kind of creepy how receptionists appear to use caller id to identify me instead of asking for my name]
Me: That’s me.
Receptionist: Ok. Let’s get you set up with an appointment.
Me: I’ve been approved for medicaid since the clinic referred me.
Receptionist: What insurance do you have now?
Me: [my insurance]
Receptionist: Hold on. Let me check with the other girl and see if we accept that insurance.
Me: [patiently waited]
Receptionist: [upon returning] I’m sorry, we don’t seem to accept that insurance.

I accepted this setback. This was before I’d gotten in touch with my insurance. Before I knew I could see a specialist out of network. I continued my search. I reached out to my insurance and my primary care office (which I will not be returning to).

Pure desperation led me to call again…

Receptionist: Endocrinology, how can I help you?
Me: Do you take [my insurance]?
Receptionist: I’m sorry, we don’t.
Me: What medicaid plans do you accept? (after all, I can always change plans if necessary for my health)
Receptionist: We aren’t accepting medicaid at this time.
Me: Wait. The clinic refers patients to you, but you don’t accept the medicaid they help the patient obtain?
Receptionist: I didn’t realize you were a clinic referral. Let’s get you an appointment. [proceeds to do the creepy already have your referral in front of me thing] I have an opening November 25th.
Me: I’ll take it.
Receptionist: I’m also going to put you on the cancellation call list. We get cancellations all the time.

That was around 4 o’clock. By 5 o’clock, I had received a phone call offering a cancellation opening the tomorrow. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the sooner appointment, but that’s alright. I have an appointment. I have enough medication refills to get me through until then.

Perseverance Prevails

I was upset. It felt like their wasn’t a professional in the world willing to help manage my healthcare. Not a single endocrinologist office would accept me as a patient, my primary care physician’s office wanted to know what I expected them to do about it, and my insurance company gave me the same list I’d found online and suggested I search out of network.

I didn’t give up. Couldn’t give up. This is my health after all. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry at the way this all played out. I’m so very relieved to know that somebody will be taking on my thyroid health. Now begins the hunt for a new primary care physician.