Doctors....who are they really here for?

[skheath]

Hi!  I have been on Lexapro for about 2 years now.  I was forced to ween myself off and suffer the side effects because of something I just can't believe.  Let me take you back a bit.  A few months ago I was having severe shoulder pain.  My doctor gave me cortizone injections which helped tremendously.  I received the bill and paid $50 of the $172 I owed.  My Lexapro was getting ready to run out and I called to make an appointment and was told that the doctor would not see me OR refill my prescription because I owed $122.  WHAT????????  I have never.....NEVER....been told that before.  I felt like a child being punished for something that I could not completely control.  My husband and I are average income earners, but made some bad financial decisions and are currently filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  We are not proud of it, but it had to happen.  So, I told the doctor this and then proceeded to tell them that I could either make a payment to them OR pay for my Lexapro....I couldn't do both.  They could have cared less.  So, since I couldn't pay off my account and couldn't afford to go to a new doctor..........I was forced to ween myself off Lexapro.  It's been hell, but I know that it will subside in time.  The mind zaps are by far the worst I have experienced so far. I am exercising more to help with anxiety.  Wish me luck!

[AJD111]

Yeah my doctor did the samething to me, which he isn't my doctor anymore..He just cared about the office visit..I paided him and took my service's to another doctor, which I'm 100% happier!!!

[fuzzy882]

I have worked for and along side doctors for many years.  I also managed some offices.  But I have never, never, heard of this.  There has been many patients with bills much higher than yours, I would contact a lawyer for some advise, the last I knew a dr. could not stop treating you mid-stream because of such a piddley reason. Even if you offered to pay 5.00, I dont think he can stop treating you. Please check into this further. I think you will find that I'm right.

Good luck

[chigirl29]

You can go to a local public mental health center (income based) and they can help you out for less than an ER visit.

[CaliGirl48]

Actually in all seriousness, you should file a claim with the Better Business Bureaus at least. And I agree with js, even if he wasn't entirely serious. Take it to court. But if you do, sue the practice, they are the ones with the money.

Grounds for lawsuit would be not delivering proper medical advice to a patient in need of medication refill. Once a doctor has established a relationship with you and made a diagnoses, given meds and so on, it is his duty by law to give you options and source information for the help you need when he can no longer treat you.

Throwing you aside because of an outstanding bill, and not giving you suggestions or direction on what your next step should be, was simply unethically, and I would do something about that.

I have a background in Law, and trust me, doctors are sued for this inexcusable way of behaving everyday. They do have a right to refuse service due to non payment, BUT they have to give you other options to pursue, period. And they can't act like buttheads.

Good Luck,

~Crystal

[JSGeare]

There are few problems so great that they can't be resolved with dynamite, I always say.

What you said was that you were "...told that the doctor would not see me OR refill my prescription because I owed $122." In others, some jack-booted Nazi in the office ran interference for the doctor, so his holiness's conscience wouldn't be afflicyed by doing his own dirty work.

NOT that it matters that it was some self-absorbed, couldn't-make-it-through-nursing-school, cheese-eating, Miatta-driving, Wayne Netwon listening-to stuck-up, cheap underwear-wearing, geek-dating, finger-nail art painting, sorry excuse for a human being who made the call -and ENJOYED it- it all comes out the same, you didn't get the med you needed! I would have sued her. Yep. I'd march right down to small claims court and sue her for malpractice. Sure! She's practicing without a license. Why not? It is a DIY suit. Fill out the paper-work, wrap a piece of blue paper around it, and go right back in that office and say, "Congratulations! You're a winner!" and hand her the suit papers.

Oh, Gawd that felt good fantasizing about that!

Anyway, JennJenn has it right -go the ER, where they CANNOT refuse to treat you.

I almost think we need to start a special section on strategies for dealing with the idiots who run medical offices.

[Jade59]

Oooh, I see, I know that whooshing feeling when I turn my head to fast, fortunately these are rare occurances and as far as the mind zaps......what is that?  Lots of people talk about this.  What has happened to me in the past, maybe only a few times is there will be a loud "BING" in my head, like a huge rubberband snapping.....I feel like my brain came loose and it scared me to death.  Is that what it's like?  

Also, once when I was a cash patient, I came for my bi-annual visit and had a small outstanding balance on my acct and the girl ANNOUNCES this right in front of everyone, I mean, there was a line behind me.....I ask her to please bill me, but she wants me to produce a credit cared, I just played dumb and said I didn't have it with me....then she hangs everyone up by calling down to billing to see if it's ok for me to pay half that day and bill the rest.....this was all over a 30.00 balance!   I could have given my credit card, but this girl embarrased me and was such a ***** I was determined to not give in.   Now I see that medical offices collect co-pays up front.  I worked with insurance in the early 90's with simple 80/20 plans......those days are OVER!!

[skheath]

Thanks for your comment.  The funny thing is I do have insurance....pretty good insurance.  I just hadn't met my deductable yet.  Today has been rough with the mind zaps........and the whoosing my mind does when I turn my head too fast.  I teach and I was worried my students would notice.  

[Jade59]

I can totally relate to your post.  I called to make an appt with a neurologist on Friday and even though I have a PPO, they still insisted on a referral from my doc which I had to call and request and wouldn't make an appt for me until they had it.  What???  I told the girl this is not an HMO and a referral is not required.  Didn't matter.  If she hadn't of called me first thing this morning I was going to call someone else.  That was a first for me.  Also, I was a cash patient for 7yrs and just got insurance a year ago and the difference in how I'm treated is amazing.  

Btw:  I worked in the medical field for years and if a patient didn't have insurance they were viewed in a very poor light.  This is typical in the medical field I'm sorry to say.

Best of luck with your taper.........

[Jennifer375]

Well I have to say that I find your doctors behavior WHOLY disturbing. I mean,, I understand he wants to be paid.. but to 'cut' you off knowing you could suffer crippling side effects from the withdrawls is really just outragouse.

Iv had my fair share of 'bad' doctors.. and of course all we are seeing is your side of the situation.. but I believe the hippocratic oath is "first do no harm".. no?

I cant offer much outside of my condolences regarding your doctor.. but I will offer a suggestion. If things get to hard to handle, hit the ER and tell them your situation. You should recieve a small emergency script and ask for a refferal to a medicade? (not sure if its medicade or medicare) center. I dont know honestly because Iv not had to go that route, but I think they can send you to a psychologist who can write prescriptions who will assess you, probably get your records from the other doctor and get you back on track with your prescription.

If the lexapro helps, then thats all there is to it. Tapering down will help with the withdrawls,, but the symptoms that brought you to the medicine in the first place will most likely return,, and you dont deserve to suffer.

*Blessings*