As I have written ad nauseam MrsMac and i do not have medical insurance. In short we do not want to be part of the ObamaCare scam so we have opted out. Bottom-line I negotiate with hospitals and doctors and typically pay about 1/3 to 1/2 of what they bill insurance companies. Anyway let me get on with my story.
Back in October MrsMac and I went to a local Ophthalmologist to get our eyes checked out. Before our appointment we received three phone calls from the Ophthalmologist office about our insurance situation or lack there of. Each time I was made to feel less than human for our failure to not have medical insurance.
When at the office we were quizzed two more times about our lack of insurance and how did we plan on paying for today's services. In frustration at one point I exclaimed, "with legal tender" and pulled a wad of money out of my pocket.
They also wanted (Insisted) on our Social Security numbers and wanted to scan our drivers license. I told them, "no!" n Then they told me it was the law. I asked them to show me said law and then sat back down - They didn't bother us again. I saw the receptionists whispering with the Doctor and looking our way but I guess the lure of actual cash was to much to turn us away.
The Doctor told MrsMac that she needed to see a retina specialist in part do to her diabetes. Of course they had one but based on the service we received in the "front of the house" I did not trust the service we would receive in the "back of the house." Ever notice that in one Home Depot you get great service and others it is crappy? It all is due to the store manager. Great manager = Great customer service... Crappy manager = well you get the idea.
So I called MrsMac's GP and asked for a referral. Then I asked my friends up at the cabin who they use. We finally came up with a name that several folks raved about, independent of each other. Called the Doctors office and made an appointment.
When I made the appointment, not unlike with the aforementioned Ophthalmologist, I was questioned about my medical insurance. When I told the pleasant lady we had none, she told me that full payment would be expected at the time of the exam. O-Kay no worries.
The day of the exam we arrived 15 minutes early to fill out the stack of paperwork each Doctor needs/wants before your first exam. Upon signing in and receiving our tome of paperwork to fill out I was asked again for our medical insurance information. I explained to the receptionist that we didn't have insurance and we would be paying cash. Sat down and jumped into our new career of filling out paperwork. Once done I returned the paperwork.
I had just settled into my chair when I was motioned back to the receptionist. She whispered to me that she needed MrsMac's Social Security number. I explained to her that she nor the Doctor would get it. She then explained to me, "it is the law Sir." I suggested that she show me said law. Turned on my heels and sat back down.
I few minutes later the receptionist motioned MrsMac over to the counter and asked her for her drivers license. MrsMac asked her what she needed it for and was told "Identification." MrsMac produced it and the receptionist started to scan the card into her computer. My wife said, "STOP!" Startled the receptionist explained to my wife that it was standard operating procedure.
Well MrsMac explained to her that she had no problem proving that she was she, but did not consent to the Doctors office storing her identification on their computer system. The receptionist sat there with her mouth wide open.
At this time the book keeper walked up to the counter and told MrsMac that the visit will cost $250- and she needed to pay before the exam. She handed over our debit card, turned on her heels and sat back down.
After MrsMac sat down she started to fill me in on the most recent exchange when we heard our names We walked up to the counter ONE MORE TIME and was told by the receptionist that the Doctor wanted to chat with us. We were escorted into a meeting room.
The Doctor came in and introduced himself and I did likewise. He started to go off on a rant that he was concerned that we were not forthcoming with our private information and we did not have medical insurance. I explained to him that we were only going to give him what we can afford to be released into the public domain if his computer system was hacked. I went on to explain to him that we will pay our way, "up front" if he would like. I finished my rant that as far as I know, cash is still legal tender and he must accept it for payment of services.
By this time the Doctor had lost most of his steam but asked, "Well if I determine that your wife needed to go to a hospital for several days and have an expensive operation you would pay for it with cash?" I told him "yes" but it wouldn't be the insurance inflated charges that he would bill the insurance company. "I will negotiate the charge with you and the hospital before hand."
At this point, the book keeper came into the conference room and told the Doctor that their new credit card machine wasn't working. The Doctor threw his hands in the air and told the accountant, "It's O-Kay to bill them" and walked out of the conference room.
So there is my story. What I want to accomplish with this short story is to spur some thoughts and comments among the forum members. Stay clear of the comment, "why didn't you walk away?" If I had done so they would have won. Also, the Doctor was a retina specialist and was recommended by several professionals and friends. In the end, MrsMac hit it off with the Doctor and talked music throughout the 2+ hours of exams, tests and other assorted eye stuff.
Some thoughts that come to my mind are:
> Is the sign of the beast (666) already upon us?
> Why do Doctors insist on wanting to deal with the damn insurance companies?
> Are we closer than we think to a "cashless society?" If so how will that effect you and others in the future?
> At both offices I truly felt that I was being discriminated against because we don't have the "magic medical
card".
> I really wish that more folks handled their medical needs as we are doing. If everybody bows to the "powers to be"
what is next?
Your thoughts folks...
