Bloodwork is not necessary, according to cardiologist?

[Kenny1948]

I have been on both 325mg aspirin, and Simvastatin 20mg daily, for two years now, for Afib as well as Flecainide 50mg x 2 and Metoprolol 12.5 mg daily.

I have my six month visit with the cardiologist next week.  I called to ask why they did not give me a script for bloodwork, and was informed,  --- "Because the doctor says you do not need any bloodwork".

I then got into a heated argument with the office. ( the doctor will not talk to you unless it's an appointment ) Since I am taking both statins and two heart medications.  I said that at least I should have a lipidpanel run.
Once again they argued that "that is totally unnecessary!"  

I have both a history of bleeding, and Hepatitis.  He says that is not pertinent to what is going on now. He is not interested in "ancient history".  He does not have any of my prior medical records.

This guy harps on one thing.  " Have you gotten insurance yet" every time I visit him.  He wants to do a catheterization, because a chemical stress test he gave me two years ago, showed a slight possiblity of minor blockage.  At the time, he said it was not absolutely necessary, as it only showed very minor blockage, and that it could be a false positive.  However he still harps on this one issue.  ( he is only licensed to do two procedures, and you can guess what those two procedures are ).  Unfortunately I cannot choose another cardiologist without a referral and I don't have insurance. ( I cannot afford $700 a month! for minor coverage )

What can someone in my position do?  I really think I should be seeing someone else.  If nothing else for the stress factor it is putting on me.

[bbxx]

Sorry to hear about your insurance issues. I have been there before...we had a ten thousand dollar deduct...it was terrible and the monthly cost was sickening. If you have looked everywhere, and still you have no help, have you considered going to a church? Sometimes churches can help.

[Kenny1948]

Thank you for your comments.  I guess I will search for another doctor.  As far as insurance goes, it's out of my range.  I am sorry that some cannot understand that a roof over ones head, and food are often more important than medical insurance that you may use, but might not.  It's a gamble.

[Kenny1948]

I live on $800 a month.  Lets' see.  The cheapest plan is $390 a month.  That would leave me with $410 a month to live on.  Since the plan does NOT cover everything.  Just a percentage.  I am left still spending over $2000 out of my pocket.  I spend less than this a year now, so why would I choose one of these plans that cost more, and provide less.  You sound like someone working for the insurance company!

FYI, also the link I provided is the correct plan for where I live.  PCIP is not a one plan covers all scheme.  It goes by State and in the case of Florida also County!

[Mom2four85]

please go to the website and do the research for yourself

all of the plans are there and tells what is in each one if you read carefully through it all and all the information needed to make an informed decision on which plan to choose is there; you just have to take the time to actually do the reading through the website

[Kenny1948]

If you check here, you will see quotes closer to what I was quoted.  This is the official Florida Insurance page.  
http://www.gohealthinsurance.com/insurance/states/Florida  

look down to where it says Florida Insurance High Risk Pools these are the prices for Florida residents!

[Kenny1948]

I checked out this insurance.  What does it cover.  I see nothing about what it covers, just what it costs.

I spend less than 500 a year on medical bills and my meds.  So I would have to see a benefit from this, before I would sign.

With a $2000 deductible, I see no benefit from having this, unless I was hospitalized.  It doesn't even say if it pays for that.

I do not sign up for ANYTHING that does not clearly state what it does for you.  Anyone who would, is very very stupid!

[Mom2four85]

I know others on the PCIP plan also and we're all on the same standard plan and no one has said anything about prices like you were quoted.

Make sure you're going to www.pciplan.com or www.pcip.gov

Here are the 2011 monthly PCIP premium rates for Florida by the age of an enrollee, effective July 1, 2011 https://webaccounts.geha.com/public/pcip/rates/rates.asp?id=5

If you're in Fl and 63 like your profile says, on the standard plan you would pay $376 for age 55+ with a $2,000 deductible and 20% co-insurance yearly.  My mother in law looked into it also; shes 64 and that's the rates/deductible they quoted her.

This plan was created as part of the nation's new health insurance law, the Affordable Care Act. It's a pre-existing condition insurance plan; it covers everything from the moment you get your coverage - I've never had anything not paid since it's a plan for pre-existing conditions.  

I've not had anything questioned or not paid or even pro-rated; it's all paid -all pre-existing conditions.

The only requirements are - be a US citizen; have a pre-existing condition and no insurance for at least 6 months.  They took out the where you have to be denied prior coverage in July 2011.

Meds are through Medco and you can do generics and to save more money go through their 3 month refill program.

[Kenny1948]

I applied for that insurance.  My premium would have been over $685- a month.  That was with two different companies.  One was worse than the other for what it actually covered.  Anything related to my heart disease, was not covered at all!  It also had a $8000 deductible.

[Missmarlow]

All I can tell you is find another cardiologist. I am on plavix, Metoprolol,Simvastatin , and asprin and when I went in for my 6 month check up he ran a full set of blood works on me. I have a stint and he wanted to make sure I was where he thought I should be.

[Mom2four85]

I can't comment other than to say personally I think it's important yearly to have bloodwork done and have been told this by several doctors because sometimes things change quickly.  I would find another doctor if possible; I know it's difficult w/o insurance I went through it for over a year.

If you don't have insurance have you checked into the pre-exisiting condition insurance plan? I have it and I only pay $211 a month for coverage and then 20% co-insurance - age 44 in FL and it covers just about everything plus I don't have to get pre-approval for most things or specialists.

If you google pre-exisiting condition insurance plan through the new health care plan, (pciplan.com) you'll find your state, then can find premiums and insurance options.  They changed the plans in July 2011 by about 40% premiums per month making them alot more affordable.

The only thing I've found wrong with the plan is, some dr's show they take the insurance but when I've gotten to the appt it turns out it was wrong so you have to do a bit of research before each appt.