Simple-Mindz

What a freakin week I have had. Good Goddess, it’s been busy! I spose that’s good though, because that means Friday gets here that much sooner! Lemme see, where to begin…

Me sickie…

Monday, I woke up with a raging outer ear infection. It was awful. My outer ear was swollen & red. I looked like dumbo in one side.

And dayum….did it hurt. I doped myself up with Motrin & Allergy meds, hoping that would help to reduce swelling, pain & open up anything that might need to drain… (sinuses)

I put up with the pain till Wednesday, then I couldn’t take anymore. I called my PCP and made an appointment. I told my boss I had to leave early, he was ok with that. So I took a taxi to my doctor at 2pm. I got there, and the woman at the desk wanted to see my insurance card. No problem, they didn’t have a copy of it - so I sat down to wait.

(This is where it gets HORRIBLE…)

She called me up to the window to tell me that they could not see me because I was not in their “Network.”

Huh? WTF are you talking about I thought…I was JUST here in Jan.

Ummmm, “Yeah…we are not in your network, and it says Dr. So&so is your PCP now.

Huh?? (starting to panic now)

“well, I have been coming here for YEARS.” Can’t you just bill me for the office visit?”

“Ummmm, no…I am sorry we cannot do that because you have bad debt with us…”

WHAT?  WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I HAVE BAD DEBT? I DON’T OWE YOU ANYTHING!!!”

At this point, I was near tears. My ear was killing me for days and my stomach was outta control with pain because I really cannot take Motrin with my stomach problems.

I said, “wait…when I got this insurance - I chose you guys as my PCP and also submitted my bill for payment. They said all was taken care of and I was “all set.”

She said to me, “I’m sorry, it was denied. So sorry…but we cannot see you today.”

“Here is the number to So and so in billing. Give her a call.”

I walked out and called my cab. THEN called the insurance people.

Pretty much reamed them out a new asshole, nicely, of course

The woman told me where my “new” PCP was, and she told me to give them a call.

When I got home, I called the place - explaining what happened and they “registered” me to their “Network” thingy. The Dr. that I had been “assigned” to was not accepting new patients, but Dr. “So & so” was.

When I was transferred to their office to make an appointment - I once again explained what had happened to me that day and asked her if I could PLEASE see a Dr. there today.

She put me on hold. She came back on the phone a minute later and said, “hunny, where are you and when can you get here?”

Good Lord, I wanted to cry. I told her I am right down the street, and she said - “ok…be here at 3:30.”

I looked at the clock- 3:05.

LUCKILY, my daughters friend was here and was just leaving. He said to me, “I will give you a ride!”

So, I went to my new PCP place, was seen by a Dr. IN MY NETWORK - And lemme tell ya, he was awesome! I am so pleased with this place. He was an older guy, bout 60. Very nice. Actually listened to me and was honestly listening to what I was saying! don’t get that too often.

And I can’t wait to call my old PCP and tell em to F*** Off. After all the years I went to them and they do this to me?  And for a measly $250.00 bucks?

That’s just not right.  

I am so happy though that my ear has been taken care of. I got an antibiotic and my tummy is feeling a bit better because I did not take Motrin half the day yesterday and today. The pain in my ear has subsided and I can actually lie on it again!

He said it is an outer ear infection, But that I should watch for a rash cause it could be the beginning of Shingles.

If it is - then I will need to come back for different meds. Honestly, I do not think it is. I am better now.

But see …there goes my saying of there is always a positive with a negative! can’t have one without the other. 

Why not Date an older woman?

written by Simple-Mindz \\ tags: Ear infection, Primary Care Physicians