Choosing a Doctor. Worse than ordering off a foreign language menu.

Well, I called a couple of places today.

One of them never answers the phone. They don't have a receptionist. All calls go to voice mail and they call you back...in a hour or two. Unless you want to pay a bill, that line they answer immediately.

The other wanted me to come in for an interview with the physicians assistant. The doctor would then decide if he would take me as a new patient.

Talk about a bunch of arrogant bastards. I never have really liked doctors, but I'm starting to wonder if they are any better than lawyers.

That means another couple of hours on the internet researching, and more phone calls tomorrow. What fun.

In reply to Toyman01:
That's how non-emergency calls works in my city.
Called when I discovered my civic had been stolen, direct to voicemail.

Good luck guys. This is one of the reasons I like being an ER doc - no stress about office logistics, and if you walk through the door, I take care of you, insurance and ability to pay be damned. Trying to do the right thing and run a great practice while still remaining profitable as a primary care doc in the current healthcare climate would be challenging.

oldeskewltoy wrote: She isn't cheap... typical visit is 60-90 minutes... yes I said an hour... to an hour and a half... and the cost is $270... but so far... our (my wife's) insurance has been covering it

Actually... I'd consider a flat $270/visit cheap. At least around here. My insurance gets charged that for a consultation that lasts maybe 15 min.

I'm in a similar boat. I have an odd symptom that comes up blank when I Google or WebMD it. However, given my last experience with my Primary, where I spent well over $1000 for them to poke and prod me about a shoulder issue that resulted in nothing, I'm leary of going to them with a vague issue that comes and goes.

Right now I'm going with the "oh well... what's the worst that could happen - it kills me? I can deal with that..." mindset.

Agreed, that finding a doctor is difficult, I soon will be in the same position. I have had my doctor since day one, back in the day when you didn't need to go to a specialist. I have moved several places and have had other doctors but have returned to him in my adulthood. As he has gotten older it has been difficult, because he has to refer me, but he at least presents me with the information and allows me to make the decision. I made the decision to go to Rehab which has worked wonders for me. I could have easily followed the word of mouth and gone on medication but Rehab has changed my life. I like that he is not a pill pusher, which all of the referrals. I prefer the wait and see approach and I like that he does not discount that I research prior to going into his office and explain what I might have. I am not a doctor, but the research is out there to help identify some issues.

So, one of the things the doctors wanted done is a echocardiogram. They scheduled it through my insurance provider at an approved location. It comes under my deductible, so my cost was going to be $1700.00.

15 minutes on the internet and phone, knocks that price down to $1100. I'll bet that by the end of the day it'll be under a grand.

And people wonder why healthcare and insurance is so expensive.

If they were forced to shop for it, like they do everything else in the world, prices might be a little more reasonable. People brag about how cheap they buy things. I wonder if they would do the same with healthcare if they knew the actual price rather than what the copay was. Hell, at this point, I wish Walmart would get into the healthcare business. They got most common prescriptions down to the $4.00 range. I bet they could do a ecocardiogram for about $50. It would be worth dealing with surly employees to save $1650.

Sorry for floundering my own thread.

Your diligence in shopping around in commendable. However, make sure the $1100 place is still in your plan. That $1100 you pay may not get applied to your deductible.

Toyman01 wrote: So, one of the things the doctors wanted done is a echocardiogram. They scheduled it through my insurance provider at an approved location. It comes under my deductible, so my cost was going to be $1700.00. 15 minutes on the internet and phone, knocks that price down to $1100. I'll bet that by the end of the day it'll be under a grand. And people wonder why healthcare and insurance is so expensive. If they were forced to shop for it, like they do everything else in the world, prices might be a little more reasonable. People brag about how cheap they buy things. I wonder if they would do the same with healthcare if they knew the actual price rather than what the copay was. Hell, at this point, I wish Walmart would get into the healthcare business. They got most common prescriptions down to the $4.00 range. I bet they could do a ecocardiogram for about $50. It would be worth dealing with surly employees to save $1650. Sorry for floundering my own thread.

I'm terrified what my bills are going to look like once they are all in from the last month. I have insurance, but have a CDHP with an HSA......meaning I'm responsible until the deductible kicks in ($5000) then they pay 80% until I hit $10k out of pocket max.

So far in the last month I've had visits with a cardiologist, sleep specialist, a sleep study, a trip to the ER, a renal artery duplex, a stress test, etc.

I'm thinking it's a good thing I parted out the race car.

So, the next item on the doctors agenda was a nuclear stress test. I figured I better start pricing that out as well. It was looking to cost another $800-$1000 bringing the total up to $2500+, out of pocket. That's real money.

Several more phone calls netted me a cardiologist that would do the ecocardiogram and the nuclear stress test for the sum total of $375. Granted my wife knows a nurse that works at this office, but I can't imagine they would be willing to lose money on the test. So, exactly what is the cost of these tests and why is the one office thousands of dollars higher than others?

Word of warning to everyone. If you are fat and smoke, quit both now. Don't wait. Otherwise all the money you save on smokes and food, you will spend on medical bills.