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Ob/Gyn vent...kinda long
I don't do these very often but this really pissed me off.
I made an appt for my annual Pap last week with a new (to me) doc. I had seen her partner before but didn't really like her bedside manner and had heard great things about this doc.
So i get to the appt and after her nurse introduced herself proceeds to tell me that my insurance may not cover my pap since its been less than a year since my last one. The doctor just wanted me "to be aware" and do I still want to get it done even though I may end up having to pay for the whole thing?
I didn't really have an answer for her and I didn't
really care if I had a pap smear or not. I just wanted to find the
right doctor since we're planning to get pregnant this year.
So
they put me in the little room and have me sit there without changing
for 20 minutes until the doctor comes in and also says to me my
insurance isn't covering my pap. I told her that it was the purpose of the appointment and that I had set aside time to come to the visit and now she's telling me I have to reschedule?
So she ended up giving me a
schpeal about getting pregnant, taking vitamins, blah blah blah. She
also said I could email her when I am next available and come back for
the pap. I guess that was nice of her but I'm obviously still pissed
I wasted my time and went to that appointment when nothing was
accomplished.
Hello? Is that really a good way to give a first impression? I have been trained not to bring up insurance issues. Its not my job as a physician. I am there to treat someone's medical problems and not discriminate against people who do or don't have insurance. I would have at least introduced myself and tried to establish familiarity with someone before jumping straight to the money. And guess what? I was only 2 days short of getting coverage for the pap smear.
Has this happened to anyone? Would you return to that doctor?
Re: Ob/Gyn vent...kinda long
Sorry you had to go through all of this. I would give that doc a second chance. Yes, she could have handled it different and even looked up your records and coded you for something else or worked something out but you never know that office's situation.
Give her another chance and take it from there. GL on your journey TTC.
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Like pp said, I'd give the doc/practice one more shot. If they mess up again, then IMO it is time to search for a new practice.
When you scheduled the appt, since you had been to the practice before, shouldn't the nurses/scheduler have informed you that you aren't eligible for another exam for a few more days? I'm sure you would have pushed back your appt accordingly!
I once had a doc office call me to come in earlier than scheduled appt, which was difficult for me to do, but did it anyway. DH and I waited well over an hour before the nurse finally came out to tell me the doctor had to cancel my appt! Everyone was suprised that I was even there b/c there was a note on my chart that they had spoken to me to cancel... BULLSHIT! Since then, they have been kissing my tush making it up to us.
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I'd think this is more of a clerical error than a doc. Yes, she could have taken the opportunity to start off the relationship right but they do have every minute of their day scheduled with billing attached to each visit. Not the way I'd like to think about doctors but no exams means no billing.
I hope you have better luck the next time you see her.
This situation could have been avoided when you scheduled your annual appointment. They could have told you over the phone about the insurance implications at the time you booked the appointment.
I agree that it was poorly handled and left a bad first impression, but give the doc one more shot.
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I would also give the doctor another shot. I agree she shouldn't have spoken to you about the insurance issues, but perhaps she just thought she had your best interest at heart and didn't want you to spend extra money unnecessarily.
I think it's great that she offered for you to email her, thats a rare occurrence! I treasure the fact that I have my neurologist's cell phone number and I am encouraged to call it at any time.
Basically, I would see her again and if she comes off as unprofessional again, look for someone else. But, in the grand scheme of things if she is a good doctor then maybe little things like this aren't such a big deal
.
wow. i can understand the nurse/med asst notifying you, but the doctor? honestly, i've never had a dr approach me about financial aspect of a visit before. she may have had your best interest in mind, but honestly, you already told them that you were ok with it and left it at that. i probably wouldn't return to that ob.