Medical Profession in Auburn
I've been in Auburn for a long time. I had the good fortune to have Doctors Tellman and Lane for many years, but both of them have retired. I do not have, or want, medical insurance, but I do want a real doctor. And I feel the need for one, because I have a history of both ulcerative colitis and ovarian cysts. I look like I am at least 5 months pregnant, but am not, and have other medical concerns as well. I don't know whether what I want exists anymore. I attempted to get into Dr. Brady's patient list, but was rejected for not having insurance. My sister-in-law went to Sutter Auburn Faith with chest pains, but was sent home. Fortunately, she returned there a couple of days later and needed immediate surgery (in Sacramento) to prevent her impending heart failure from severely clogged arteries. Yes, she has insurance.
I woke up with severe shoulder pain one night, and went to ER, where I was treated as though I was having a heart attack. Much blood was taken, and I fully informed the staff of what they ought to be looking for. Eighteen hours later, I had no diagnosis and an $11,000.+ bill. I later found out I had tendonitis of the shoulder. I wonder what that bill was for. I didn't get anything, other than a large bill.
I have tried to get competent medical care - the kind I grew accustomed to having, when I had insurance and when there were physicians with integrity as opposed to contracts with the pharmaceutical companies. When I ask for a pap smear, that is what I want. I don't want an HPV test. I don't want Cymbalta, Chantix, or whatever the newest moneymaker happens to be. I don't want what I don't need. I very much want what I do need. And I am not getting it.
When I ask for a CA-125 test, I don't want to be told that it is a waste of money, but Chantix is what I ought to purchase. I can pay for what I need, to a point. I definitely cannot pay for garbage and whatever I do not need. I'm not a millionaire. And I don't think I need to be.
It isn't all about me. There are other family members in this household. They are more defeatist than I, because they refuse to even visit any doctor or ER.
Is there a solution? Is this too controversial to post here? I always worry when I tell the truth.
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I'm glad you spoke up, don't worry, sometimes it's hard to speak out but you can never go wrong when you are speaking the truth. I wish I knew the solution. Health care should be one of the leading issues of today, we have elections happening and they are pretty silent about this. I hope it gets lots of attention during the debates. And what they promise, they better fulfill, and it needs to be a real cure, not a band aid. I realize this does not help you now though.
I'd like to hear more about this type of topic than pitbulls and pigs. It's disappointing to say the least. Time to bring the issues back to the forefront of discussion.
Welcome to medical care in the 21st century. Let me address the issues you brought up.
Dr.Tellman was one of a kind, and practiced during a different time, things have changed, but there are still many very good doctors in Auburn. And most will accept a cash pay patient.
As for your ER visit, heart attacks are the #! killer of women over 50. They did the right thing by doing a cardiac work up. Did you expect 18 hours of critical care and "much blood taken" would be cheap? And seriously, "you fully informed the staff of what they should look for?? If you knew you had tendonitis, which by the way, is NOT an emergency, why did you go to ER? What did you do? Attend the Wikipedia School of Medicine???
You criticize doctors for missing your sister-in-laws heart problem, then criticize them for suspecting heart problems when they saw you.. I am not sure they can make you happy.
Everyone knows someone who was not happy with the care at Sutter, but MANY more know someone who received excellent care.
Physicians do not have "contracts" with drug companies. Some drug companies supply (free) sample medications for patients to try trial before a prescription is written to save them money. At the most, drug companies can bring in food, snacks, ink pens, etc for an office, but other than than that, there are no gifts or contracts.
You are not a victim. You can pick from many very good doctors in Auburn. Make an appointment and have an intelligent conversation about your health and what you expectations are. If you don't like the doc, move on to another.
If you don't want an HPV test, Chantix (to help you stop smoking) or Cymbalta just decline. If you want a CA-125, just ask for it and pay cash for the test ( which FYI, will be VERY expensive).
Truth is a matter of perception.
Thanks, kittyv. I don't think our next president is going to fix the problem, since there is so little focus on it. And the focus that is on it does not address the issue of the prices, which should be strictly regulated. Few people ask the purchase price when seeking medical care, and consequently, the sky is the limit. Your money or your life, is what is generally assumed. Yes, every citizen ought to be entitled to full choice and access to appropriate medical care, regardless of their financial position. Those who are opposed to this "entitlement mentality" don't stop to think that there is something wrong with both the cost and the quality. It is urgent that every citizen have access, but cost and quality control are equally essential.
Salamander, thanks for your input. I'm not sure that most good doctors in Auburn will accept a cash patient. I know some doctors will. What I expected at the hospital was to be tested for other things at the same time. Efficiency. What they did would have been the right thing in my sister-in-law's case, but as it turned out, instincts were missing in both instances. I expected a diagnosis. I did not know what I had when I went to ER. I found out a couple of days later when visiting a doctor who would take cash. This happened on a weekend when I awoke at 2 am in severe pain. I'm not sure doctors can make me happy, either. I did ask for the CA-125 test, and was told that it is an unreliable test and expensive. I did not care about the cost. I do believe doctors get cash incentives for prescribing those drugs. I was not offered Cymbalta, but am very familiar with the TV ads urging viewers to tell the doctor what they need. I saw a prominent display of Cymbalta in the doctor's waiting room. I am a smoker and was offered Chantix by the same person who discouraged the CA-125 test. If I am not mistaken, Chantix costs $150 monthly. I would not use it if it were free. Smoking is not a disease, and is not the reason I was seeking medical care. I don't need a drug-induced disease to increase my medical needs. As for the HPV test, I asked for a pap smear and had no opportunity to decline that test. The unnecessary HPV screening is more expensive than the valuable pap smear, which diagnoses something that can be treated.
That is what has become of the medical profession. It is not what it used to be. I'm sure there is a solution, but unfortunately, I do not see it happening anytime soon. Michael Moore's movie, Sicko, was quite controversial. He told the truth, and many people covered their ears. People who care can't do anything about it, and people who are not personally effected do not care.
As someone who pays attention to the stock market, I've noticed that pharmaceutical stocks are very good stocks to have. That isn't surprising. I do wonder why tobacco company stock is considered good, since smoking is so taboo, and I don't think there are many smokers nowadays.
Personally, I avoid the medical system, as I am afraid they can do more harm than good much of the time. I would certainly use it if I needed an appendectomy or something they actually have a good handle on. You *shouldn't* have to be a millionaire, but I believe you not only need to be if you are going to consistently use medical care, but you have a better chance of becoming one than of solving the problem of today's horrendous medical profession. When insurance companies did what they were supposed to do, before the whole system transformed into what it is now, a good policy offered a $2 million lifetime limit. You may be able to find a policy like that today, but there are some problems. First, you would be uninsurable with your medical history. Second, insurance companies have their own ideas about what they will pay for. They may well pay for what you don't need, at the expense of what you do need.
Interesting, Mme. I looked at some stock commentary you might like to read. (http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/06/25/has-the-storm-passed-for-pharma-stocks/)
You are right about needing to be a millionaire to have a chance in this system we have here. There is just not much interest in those who can't get what they need. Michael Moore has endured sneers and animosity for his efforts, so I shouldn't be surprised at comments like Salamander's.
Thank you for the comment.
You will believe what you choose, be it the truth or not. However, I don't believe you can't find a doctor who takes cash pay.
My daughter goes to a medical group in Auburn, they discount her visit 30% because she has to pay cash, she has a good doc who gives her samples whenever he can to help her.
You don't have to be a millionaire to get medical care as my daughter shows. I however am blessed to have insurance. Which I want.