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ZERTErYNOthe

(243 posts)
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:14 PM Oct 2022

Why do you avoid healthcare?

I started to respond to a link on DU, and then realized that my response didn't matter, and canceled it. But it got me to thinking that maybe there was a better group, and that perhaps I should ask questions, instead of just complain.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016334372

Over many years I have avoided going to doctors for a number of reasons. First of all, avoidance. If you ignore a problem it will just go away, right?

Second, I really hate the whole process of calling providers, setting up appointments, all of that stuff. Anxiety is a huge problem exacerbated by some really mean and condescending people over the years (doctors and their supporting staff).

This is on top of all of the insurance bullshit. I spent the first 10 years of my career in Medical Billing as a software person doing claims (both electronic and paper, anyone remember those?) in an effort to maximize provider income (exploiting contracts, finding better ICD9 codes to use to maximize profit, etc). I've been out of that business for 20 years now, but it's clear that the situation hasn't improved.

So, here is a recent experience I had. Every couple of years my Primary Care doc schedules me for an echocardiogram. It's been done by a cardiologist in his practice. This year it was denied by insurance, so the appointment was cancelled. Why? Some vague insurance bullshit about the type of practice the cardiologist was billing from was no longer acceptable to them.

My first reaction was to just say, oh well, and go another year (I've already let it slide 6 months), that's easier, right? I have done this in the past when a refill for Diabetes medication suddenly went up by thousands (yes, you read that right). But I found out that I will be covered if I go to a specialist practice, so that is what I am doing. Instead of just an echo, I will get whole damn thing - stress test, various scans, lots of other really expensive tests, all because the insurance bureaucrat determined that a test recommended by my doctor wasn't necessary. And I am doing the same for my spouse, doubling their cost. I have had enough and will stand up for myself, no more avoidance.

Who knows, maybe it will be good in the end, especially if something is found.

But, this kind of bullshit is exactly why I avoid dealing with medical stuff unless I have no other choice.

Enough about me, why do you avoid healthcare?

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why do you avoid healthcare? (Original Post) ZERTErYNOthe Oct 2022 OP
Fear XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #1
I feel you. See my other post. skylucy Oct 2022 #10
I embrace my health NewHendoLib Oct 2022 #2
I'm with you! luvs2sing Oct 2022 #5
I go Rebl2 Oct 2022 #12
Only if I need to go to the hospital BigmanPigman Oct 2022 #3
Cause I'm living fast, dying young, and leaving a beautiful corpse Hugh_Lebowski Oct 2022 #4
Lol Faux pas Oct 2022 #7
Now that I have Medicare and Social Security. . . DinahMoeHum Oct 2022 #6
I'm 70. OAITW r.2.0 Oct 2022 #8
I have excellent health insurance, so it has nothing to do with the cost, I just have major skylucy Oct 2022 #9
After working in the health care field for over 40+ years I try to avoid the whole lot. mitch96 Oct 2022 #11
I don't avoid 'healthcare' KarenS Oct 2022 #13
I avoid shit I think is unnecessary or just plain unwanted Warpy Oct 2022 #14
Thank you everyone ZERTErYNOthe Oct 2022 #15

NewHendoLib

(60,500 posts)
2. I embrace my health
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:21 PM
Oct 2022

Dentist every 6 months, annual physicals, 5 year Colonoscopies, cortisone in my knees every 6 months. Hearing aid. Glasses.

I'm 66. I enjoy health, and bring alive.

luvs2sing

(2,234 posts)
5. I'm with you!
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:26 PM
Oct 2022

I’ve assembled a team of doctors that I trust and like, and I follow their recommendations to the letter. Except for the surprise shoulder fracture and surgery a few months ago, I’m much, much healthier at 65 than I was at 35 when I ignored my health.

Rebl2

(14,682 posts)
12. I go
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 08:00 PM
Oct 2022

to my doctors, especially rheumatologist, on regular basis. Now since Covid I haven’t been to the dentist because I needed to find a new dentist even before Covid, and can’t stand thought of taking my mask of in a dentist office.

BigmanPigman

(52,250 posts)
3. Only if I need to go to the hospital
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:23 PM
Oct 2022

or a doctor's office I won't go unless an emergency due to my paranoia over Covid. Normally I don't have a problem at all. In fact, I just spoke with my doctor today and I told him that and he said that is not being paranoid and he understood completely. I didn't expect that response.

Faux pas

(15,364 posts)
7. Lol
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:33 PM
Oct 2022

That was my motto for years. I didn't live too fast, too old to die young and my corpse will be burned.

DinahMoeHum

(22,488 posts)
6. Now that I have Medicare and Social Security. . .
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:27 PM
Oct 2022

. . .after having the NY state version of the ACA. . .I have had no issues with doctors, examinations, etc. Oh, and with few, if any issues with insurance trying to horn in on medical procedures.

G*d help the GOP if they try to take those away from me. #FAFO

OAITW r.2.0

(28,361 posts)
8. I'm 70.
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:34 PM
Oct 2022

Almost. I've had a PCP that's max'd my healthcare while minimizing my costs,except for meds ($70/qtr) , I haven/t spent any out of pocket in 5 years. Medicare is a wonderful thing.

That said, I will not be burdening my kids with huge hospital costs, to survive a few weeks longer. That ain't living. That's wealth transfer.

skylucy

(3,854 posts)
9. I have excellent health insurance, so it has nothing to do with the cost, I just have major
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 06:58 PM
Oct 2022

anxiety/ panic attacks about anything dealing with my health. When I do go to Kaiser, they have always treated me with great kindness and understanding (nurses are angels). They have been pretty thorough addressing any concerns or health issues, but testing or exploratory procedures seem to be a huge part of things. I understand, up to a point but geez. By they time they get done with the scans, etc I am nothing but a huge basket case. I make a joke about it and say "Hey, I was a teacher for 38 years and I don't like flunking any kind of test", but it's really not funny. It's a major source of stress. Even getting my blood work done is stressful. I have no problem with the actual withdrawing of the blood etc. It's when the results start coming in over my phone...Beep Beep Beep every five minutes. I freak out and then when I look at the results I get all upset if any of the numbers aren't perfect. All this and I actually am pretty darn healthy for a 60 something. Well...There ya are. I just shared my nuttiness with you!

mitch96

(14,653 posts)
11. After working in the health care field for over 40+ years I try to avoid the whole lot.
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 07:13 PM
Oct 2022

Also when ever I do have to deal with doctors and medicine in general something goes wrong. First when I was 5 and the doctor broke a needle in my ass.. I loved my job, helping other people and it pissed me off when people get shafted and hurt b/c of petty politics and greed.

Don't get me wrong. If I'm in a car accident and I'm hurt, get me to a trauma center quick.
I'm fortunate I'm very healthy and do all I can to stay that way.
YMMV
m

KarenS

(4,632 posts)
13. I don't avoid 'healthcare'
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 08:01 PM
Oct 2022

if I'm sick or in pain I go to the Doctor. I also do the vaccinations,,,,
I am almost 73. Pneumonia, shingles, Flu, Covid.
But, I don't do what I call 'trolling',,,, looking for stuff,,,, I plan to die of what I've got,,,, I've known too many ppl that outlive their quality of life and I don't want to do that.

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
14. I avoid shit I think is unnecessary or just plain unwanted
Thu Oct 13, 2022, 08:51 PM
Oct 2022

but I'm a retired nurse in my mid 70s, so I guess that goes with the territory.

I'm falling apart at the seams, but that also goes with the territory. I have passed the point of ever wanting heroics to keep me alive because the risk vs. benefit equation has shifted and I'll get more benefit from what my mother called benign neglect.

I've turned down routine EKGs because I'd also turn down any invasive intervention. I have turned down dialysis and intubation on other occasions. I guess you really can't kill the Irish since I'm still stubbornly here.

IOW, if it will contribute substantially to my quality of life, I'm all for it. If they're just putting me through something annoying, uncomfortable, or downright painful as they fish for diseases to treat, forget it.

It's why old doctors and nurses are such lousy patients.

ZERTErYNOthe

(243 posts)
15. Thank you everyone
Sun Oct 16, 2022, 07:29 PM
Oct 2022

I had major anxiety about my my post, so I avoided looking at it, considered deleting it because I felt anxious and stupid. The responses have been encouraging and revealing, and makes me happy to know I'm not that unusual.

Thank you, and much love to my DU friends!

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