Originally Posted At: Coalition Against HMO & Insurance Abuse
I recently watched the movie “Sicko” at home. It really lit a fire under my butt. I am so grateful that somebody has finally taken the time and effort to “out” the medical system in this country. It is about **** time!!!
I worked in the allied healthcare industry for over ten years, up until I became disabled as the result of an auto accident. That’s when I became a victim to this horribly dysfunctional and corrupt system I was witness to for so long. I am currently carrying COBRA coverage through Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Texas (HMO). And, let me tell you that they are absolutely wretched.
I have been in the Emergency Department of my local hospital with horrible abdominal pain, swelling, constipation and nausea several times this week. Earlier today, I noticed a large amount of dark black blood in my stools. Accompanied with a low grade fever, lightheadedness and yet more abdominal pain, I reported once again to the Emergency Room. The doctors there said they wanted to call in a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.
After several hours and some blood work, they returned to my room and stated that they were discharging me home. Feeling no better at all, I asked them the reason for this and they stated my blood pressure and hemoglobin were fine, and that my HMO would not authorize an endoscopy unless I had lost “a lot of blood,” or my hemoglobin was low. Now, I don’t know how all of you feel about this, but the half-pint I found in my toilet this afternoon was quite alarming.
I voiced this concern to the ER staff, only to hear, “well you really need to follow up with this referral we are giving you.” Unfortunately, my HMO doesn’t recognize referrals from the ER doc, only from my primary care physician, who I have phoned many times only to hear that he is not available to see me for several weeks. I can’t see anyone else because my HMO won’t cover them.
I can’t even explain how horrible this is, to know something is horribly wrong with my body and to be hung out to dry like some menial financial liability.
