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[Nivlac]

Had to go to the doctor today....I have had a bad chest cold and the way it was going I thought it might turn into something much worse so I went.

My insurance is provided by Humana and the plan is an HMO open access plan. It took me 3 hours to track down a walk-in clinic that actually accepts my insurance - but only after having to actually take my insurance card to them so they could scan it to see if it worked. After they determined that I could use them they had me fill out paperwork to see the doctor.

Short wait and in I go.

Doc checks me out and prescribes 4 meds. A liquid cough suppressant, an inhaler, a steroid and an anti-biotic. - I think cool he is being aggressive with the treatment because of my past experience with a similar condition that caused me to pass out due to not being able to control the coughing. He then tells me he wants to run some tests after the 2 week treatment and fills out paperwork for blood tests and a chest xray.

I pay my $30 co pay for the office visit and off to the pharmacy I go....

Pharmacy takes 30 min to fill the 4 scripts and calls me to the window for pick up - $143 - SHIT!! OK why? I have insurance I ask...Yes but 1 is a $40 co pay 2 are a $10 co pay and the last is cheaper without insurance. WTF?? the 2 $10 scripts I saved $3 because of insurance and the $40 I saved $13 - Thank God I'm insured that $16 will come in handy LOL

I then get home and start to do some research on the tests the doc ordered - shit he's on a fishing expedition or thinks I'm about to die....testing my liver, kidneys, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and wants a urinalysis

All of the tests were ordered under the health code U70.0 - which basically says I'm a fat ass and the doc thinks the tests are relevant due to my weight. (I love Google....every code and test ordered was broken down an explained)  - So for the next 2 weeks I'm putting my self on a healthy diet so my tests won't be effected by my diet - no sugar at all, nothing greasy - just healthy shit - That will give the tests the best shot at being accurate.

[Centurion]

Hope the tests come back OK mate.........

Thank f**k for the NHS is all I can say........

[Thermalsig]

I just had the full work up of tests myself, although I'm not a fat ass, just a dumb ass. I've lost the feeling completely in the left side of my face and they can explain feck all. Wait 'til you get the bill for the tests.

[Wooster]

Best of luck with the diet plan mate..

In Scotland, as of this year, you can make a one off payment of £45 and that covers all of your prescription fees for the rest of the year (Handy if you are a pensioner, have a chronic illness or a pile of poorly kids).
Some might complain that it's a populist policy by the SNP, but there's no denying it'll make a hell of a difference to many people. (The long term plan is to abolish the charges completely)


*edit* Shit Thermal..that's pretty bad news mate..could it be related to Bells Palsy? http://bellspalsy.org.uk/whatisit.htm
If it is, you might be ok..since it's usually not permanent..

[Thermalsig]

Nope, not Bells Palsy. I can move my muscles. They think it could be facial neuropathy caused by the nerves passing close to the mandible joint being pinched. It hasn't faded in a month, but I hope it does.

[Wooster]

Cat must have nicked the nerve the other day there when she hit you with the frying pan for asking questions about brothels..

[Hallcat]

U70.0 - which basically says I'm a fat ass and the doc thinks the tests are relevant due to my weight. (I love Google....every code and test ordered was broken down an explained)  - So for the next 2 weeks I'm putting my self on a healthy diet so my tests won't be effected by my diet - no sugar at all, nothing greasy - just healthy shit - That will give the tests the best shot at being accurate.

Actually, I think that you mean V70.0 which is the code for a general wellness exam.  If your insurance pays for a wellness exam, your doc did you a favor.  A lot of US plans pay wellness at 100%.  Had he put a diagnosis say 401.1 high blood pressure it could be subject to your plan's deductible.  I do this for a living and can help.  But you are right about the health system, you can be put under in the US with a simple head cold.  Make sure you tell your doctor that you have to pay the full cost of meds prescribed even if that is not true.  They usually can prescribe less expense alternative generic drugs which I'm sure was your $10 copay.  Don't ever forget that they get free lunches from the RX reps and feel obligated to prescribe the newer meds on the market that are more expensive.  If your doctor insists that a particular Brand Name Drug is the best for you, ask for samples, they are given to them often and can be given to you free of charge!

[Wooster]

Any profit from prescription drugs should be capped at a few percent of the production costs, subject to an annual review..worldwide.

[Thermalsig]

Any profit from prescription drugs should be capped at a few percent of the production costs, subject to an annual review..worldwide.

I don't fully agree with that. If drug companies are not profitable enough for R&D, we are all fecked. I don't necessarily agree with them making a billion dollars of of drug, but they should stay profitable enough to further drug research.

[Nivlac]

Hallcat your right. The full battery of tests are needed as I haven't had any and I am at the age where I need them. I'm also sure you are correct about the doc getting incentives for what he prescribed from the companies as the inhalers were Proair HFA (albuterol Sulfate) and I know there is another brand that has been on the market for years that prob would have fallen into the $10 co pay. I'm not sure if I asked for generic or not. ButI can't help feeling that it has been a waste - Saved $16

Wooster I agree with you - a reasonable profit is something I would never want to deny any company but controls are needed.

Thermal - You too are correct that profit is needed for research but after the first year of a product being on the market research has been paid for and mega profits begin controls/reviews could keep all meds within reach of those who need them.

[Wooster]

Some of the profits they (drug companies) are making are verging on the obscene these days, there is also an issue of them putting profit before patient welfare by covering up some of the nasty side effects their drugs can have and blocking supplies of cheap drugs to the third world.

Sales of its [GlaxoSmithKline]diabetes treatment, Avandia, were hit last year after research linked it to an increase in heart attacks.

Last year, it was also accused of holding evidence about potential side-effects of its anti-depressant drug Seroxat.

Mr Garnier also tried to stop the South African government from sourcing cheaper, generic HIV drugs from countries like India. He later changed tack and offered not-for-profit HIV drugs to the nation.

[Thermalsig]

I see it as a roundy round. There is always going to be crooks, but we can't kill everyone for the few. I am very much a proponent of shortening the patent rights on drugs, but there will be a flipside to that coin also. There is never an easy way, is there?

[Wooster]

I don't think there is mate.. 

[Vasco]

Go Herbal.   

[AbaddonsFury]

I dont have private health cover and never will,,, it's a rort,,, and will cost you just as much if not more in the end,,, in Australia this is the case anyway...