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Rheumatologist is leaving
Hi everyone
I have gca and pmr for the past 4.5 years. Still on 2.5mg of pred but making slow progress. My rheumy is starting his own business so left the practice I was at, therefore I have a new one. Only just recent met with her but not to sure and a little uneasy with her.
My previous rheumy was fantastic and I already miss him. I would follow him but he decided to go to a fee for service and avoid insurance. That for some reason made me uneasy for the obvious reason, cost. It's not overly expensive but it does take some people out of the equation for affordability and that bothers me. I know out health care system is broken but I'm not sure this is the direction it should be going either
Any thoughts on this appreciated. I really to like him but...
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You have to decide if the cost without insurance is worth it to you. Another option would be to try to find a different rheumatologist that is covered by your insurance.
One question about the doctor that is going private - is there any chance that his recommendations for treatment might not be covered by your insurance? For example, if he prescribes Actemra, and that requires pre-approval, is there a chance that it is less likely to be approved because the doctor is out of network?
My rheumatologist just did something that I didn't like. Someone from his office called and tried to sell me on a program where a nurse calls the patient monthly between appointments to see if the patient is doing ok or has any questions. It sounded like there would be copay for each call equivalent to an office visit. I wasn't interested in the service, but it made me wonder if there would be a 2-tiered system now where the people that pay for this extra service get better treatment or access.
That's a good point. I'm 66 years old and on Medicare with a medigap policy so I think I w would be okay but it is something to think about for sure.
As you eluded too, I feel healthcare should be for everyone and this makes it unaffordable for some people. Also, it's hard enough to get into specialists and if this starts to be the norm doing this just makes the pool smaller.
He is a very compassionate person and the driver of this is to be able to spend the time needed with patients and treatment he feels they need with out insurance dictating, but some how it feels like maybe he's doing the opposite with not realizing it
Well, my Medicare insurance keeps calling me wanting me to sign up for home visits with a nurse. Have repeatedly said I was not interested but they keep calling. Last person that called was very demanding. I'm guessing they want to see my home environment??? I doubt it's free.