Have you never looked at the boatloads of information that your insurer has surely sent to you? *NM*
LiterateDog Send a noteboard - 10/02/2010 04:19:09 PM
I wouldn't have thought to ask here if not for Macharius, but it seems like there are some people who know what they're talking about.
Anyway, my body has been doing some distressing things for a couple of months now. It's not the kind of thing you can just imagine, either. At first I hoped it would go away, but now I'm kind of getting scared (thanks, google).
I do have insurance, and good insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield), but I'm still nervous about what it might cost me to get a diagnosis. If I told a doctor about what's going on, he'd almost certainly do a couple of somewhat involved tests... and that's not something I've handled before. What if you ultimately don't get diagnosed with anything? Does insurance still cover it? And even if it does - with most of the boring things I use it for, I end up paying a $20 copay, but I have no idea if how it would work with fancier treatment.
I also don't know how to find a doctor in my town, so any help with that would be appreciated as well. Almost everyone accepts BCBS; that's not the problem - it's just finding a good doctor. I called one guy and asked if he was accepting new patients, but never got a return call. I'm also wondering if I should even be looking for a GP. My issues are internal, and like I said, would involve tests, so maybe I should go to a hospital instead? Do hospitals do that? I've only ever been to the ER.
Any advice would be appreciated. I should possibly talk to my parents, but I really don't want to... my mom always thinks (or just says) everything is going to cost 10x as much as it does and won't give me honest answers about insurance stuff. Also, I would have to tell them what's going on, which would be embarrassing and maybe cause undue stress as well. I'd rather just handle it, find out if anything's wrong, and then tell them if it turns out to be something.
Anyway, my body has been doing some distressing things for a couple of months now. It's not the kind of thing you can just imagine, either. At first I hoped it would go away, but now I'm kind of getting scared (thanks, google).
I do have insurance, and good insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield), but I'm still nervous about what it might cost me to get a diagnosis. If I told a doctor about what's going on, he'd almost certainly do a couple of somewhat involved tests... and that's not something I've handled before. What if you ultimately don't get diagnosed with anything? Does insurance still cover it? And even if it does - with most of the boring things I use it for, I end up paying a $20 copay, but I have no idea if how it would work with fancier treatment.
I also don't know how to find a doctor in my town, so any help with that would be appreciated as well. Almost everyone accepts BCBS; that's not the problem - it's just finding a good doctor. I called one guy and asked if he was accepting new patients, but never got a return call. I'm also wondering if I should even be looking for a GP. My issues are internal, and like I said, would involve tests, so maybe I should go to a hospital instead? Do hospitals do that? I've only ever been to the ER.
Any advice would be appreciated. I should possibly talk to my parents, but I really don't want to... my mom always thinks (or just says) everything is going to cost 10x as much as it does and won't give me honest answers about insurance stuff. Also, I would have to tell them what's going on, which would be embarrassing and maybe cause undue stress as well. I'd rather just handle it, find out if anything's wrong, and then tell them if it turns out to be something.
"I'll blow whomever I want, whenever I want, as long as I can still breathe and kneel."
-Samantha Jones, SatC
-Samantha Jones, SatC
I have a medical costs question too...
10/02/2010 03:08:14 PM
- 787 Views
If you look at your policy
10/02/2010 03:27:15 PM
- 444 Views
I'm all for being a control freak when I can.
11/02/2010 03:07:37 PM
- 404 Views
One other thing you should be aware of
11/02/2010 03:25:07 PM
- 412 Views
You might want to call your insurer and talk to them about who to see.
10/02/2010 03:34:53 PM
- 369 Views
Do you think an actual person would have better referrals than the website?
11/02/2010 03:14:01 PM
- 417 Views
I don't think we'll be able to do you much good.
10/02/2010 03:36:57 PM
- 385 Views
For CU, that list seems to be really outdated.
11/02/2010 12:13:06 AM
- 352 Views
and as far as the frustrating part...
11/02/2010 01:58:39 AM
- 234 Views
Hmmm.
11/02/2010 03:17:50 PM
- 227 Views
Most doctor's offices
11/02/2010 03:32:55 PM
- 396 Views
Mine was a little as well.
11/02/2010 12:46:45 PM
- 379 Views
It was funny, because most of them were medical-ish, but I got a bariatric center, a therapist...
11/02/2010 02:25:03 PM
- 228 Views
I just know a worried person should not pay a damn cent...
10/02/2010 03:53:19 PM
- 420 Views
Why? Should I not have to think about how to pay for my dinner tonight?
10/02/2010 04:23:31 PM
- 363 Views
The Dole or hardship funds should help people who can't afford food
10/02/2010 04:28:49 PM
- 268 Views
I agree, the needy should be helped.
10/02/2010 04:32:45 PM
- 351 Views
I don't agree with your characterization of commonly proposed healthcare solutions.
10/02/2010 04:42:06 PM
- 399 Views
I don't think he's mischaracterizing anything so much as responding to Jens' point directly.
10/02/2010 04:54:55 PM
- 457 Views
As a response to Jens' point, it works, but he used very general language.
10/02/2010 07:37:20 PM
- 231 Views
Furnace? Health? Erm...
10/02/2010 08:04:03 PM
- 254 Views
no
10/02/2010 08:40:12 PM
- 243 Views
I didn't like the example
10/02/2010 08:46:24 PM
- 360 Views
I see no problem with the state paying the vast majority of medical costs
10/02/2010 04:53:57 PM
- 453 Views
Have you never looked at the boatloads of information that your insurer has surely sent to you? *NM*
10/02/2010 04:19:09 PM
- 102 Views
I've never been sent a thing from them...
10/02/2010 04:28:57 PM
- 385 Views
I believe, although I no longer am covered by Blue Cross, that most tests are covered.
10/02/2010 11:28:34 PM
- 311 Views
I have no idea regarding insurance
11/02/2010 10:32:11 AM
- 378 Views
Yes, and just in general, it's good to have a GP. But they are elusive creatures. Like unicorns. *NM*
11/02/2010 03:33:24 PM
- 198 Views
Your doctor's office should be able to answer most questions for you
11/02/2010 02:36:10 PM
- 219 Views