totally ticked off my doctor today (long sorr)

kellim · April 2011

Background: I pPROMed at 35 weeks with DS. So this pregnancy we decided to go to an uppity OB and better hospital with a NICU. Everytime I go in for a normal checkup, I also go to a high-risk ultrasound place. And everytime they do a full anatomy scan, vaginal ultrasound, and a FFN swab test (to see if I'll go into labor in the next 2 weeks).

DH and I were looking at the bills and the procedures are expensive.

anatomy scan - $250, vaginal ultrasound - $170, FFN test - $248

We got to talking and decided to ask if we had to do all of these procedures at every single appt. We have a very high deductable and we pay all out of pocket. We felt that since the anatomy scan always comes out perfect...maybe we could skip it at least every other time - if the doctor felt that it wasn't necessary.

So today I explained to the ultrasound tech. She was so nice and understood what we were talking about. She goes and asks the dr. She said that we could skip the anatomy scan and only do the FFN if my cervix shortened more. All peachy right?

Wrong! The dr then came in to do his normal checking and he was mad! He kept talking really fast and saying things like everything he does is necessary and that we should just expect things to be expensive. Whenever he'd finally take a breath, I tried to nicely explain that we trust him completely and that whatever he felt needed to be done he should do. I hate confrontation! He even made a comment while he was doing a quick anatomy scan that that was he good deed for the day

I guess they are not used to people questioning anything? It was not like I was questioning if he was ripping us off. We were just asking if we could cut down on some of it...if possible. Boo I wanted to cry

vigurl · April 2011

When I was under my DH insurance with a really high deductable I told my OBGYN and she said she would do everything possible to keep baby safe and keep costs down. She was not mad at all and really explained the pros and cons of each procedure. We are now on my insurance with a very low decutable which I told her and now she runs any tests at the least bit of trouble since I only pay 10%.

Moral of my story is find a doc that will work with you. Maybe its too late for ths pregnancy but there are docs out there that will.

PS I live in an upper middle class area and most of my docs patients are uppe rmiddle class so its not like she is a "bleeding heart/ doctors without borders" type.

justme04 · April 2011

He is just pissed because now he is loosing his share on those procediures he ordered!

Some doctors really order tests galore for financial gain!

Edit- And from what the PP said its never too late to switch doctors if your unhappy!

ElatedMom2B · April 2011

So sorry for the aggravation. Really crappy that your OB had to act the way that he did. That stinks, but, since you mentioned that its a high deductible plan given you still have the delivery to consider, don't you think you're going to end up paying the same amount regardless? I realize I don't know the amount of your deductible but I know with mine I am not worried about all of the costs leading up to it because the delivery cost is going to cap my deductible for the year.

kellim · April 2011

The deductable is $4,000. If we have no complications, I don't think we'll pass that.

Jaimels78 · April 2011

justme04:

He is just pissed because now he is loosing his share on those procediures he ordered!

Some doctors really order tests galore for financial gain!

Edit- And from what the PP said its never too late to switch doctors if your unhappy!

So happy to be Canadian...I can't imagine having to deal with doctors who "work on commission". I guess it would be like trying to find a good car mechanic who won't rip you off except you are dealing with your and your LO's life.

ElatedMom2B · April 2011

WOW - nice!! My deductible is $5,000 and I have had normal tests, etc. and with birth I will exceed, the average cost (according to my OBs office/hospital) is about 7-8K here! OY

caruso_60 · April 2011

Your doctor sounds terrible. I am only responsible for 10% and my doctor actually said something along the lines of if it is getting too expensive we can skip some of the ultrasounds. I have been seeing a perinatologist every 2 weeks and she does a growth scan every time. I would be mad enough to switch doctors.

novilise · April 2011

Wow and wow! I have never heard of having that many ultrasounds unless there is definitely a problem- especially the vaginal ultrasounds. There isn't a chance that could prematurely rupture your membranes, too? I don't know, but I just thought that sounded like a bit much.

You know how some are extremely natural with no interventions and others are the complete opposite and might have too many! This doctor sounds like he might be one of the latter!

MustanGTbaby13 · April 2011

Yikes. Since I am very pro-natural birth, my instincts tell me to run away from the doctor as soon as possible. Many ob's in that situation are not used to patients questioning their authority, so if you have any plans of autonimy during your birthing experience, I imagine you are going to have to throw them right out the window. I would be willing to guess that he has a very high intervention/c-section rate.

I think it is very reasonable for you ask of him what you did. His assault on you was not acceptable.

katiefyd84 · April 2011

Your OB works for YOU and your baby. Not the other way around. He doesn't just get to order tests up the wazoo and expect you not to have questions/concerns regardless of how high your insurance deductible is. In my opinion it either sounds like he's an ego tripping doctor, or he is annoyed that you "questioned" him because he wants to gain financially. Either way, I'd run far and fast away from this doctor. It isn't too late, and no doctor should make you feel that way.

Structenggal · April 2011

kellim:
The deductable is $4,000. If we have no complications, I don't think we'll pass that.

Just curious, is your deductible not applied to the delivery/hospital stay? My deductible with DS1 and with this pregnancy is $6000. The bills from the delivery/hospital stay alone were over $30,000 (normal vaginal delivery), so I had to pay the $6000. Since I know I have to pay it anyway, I'm not worrying this time around about what individual things cost.

Scarlet Jacob · April 2011

vigurl:
When I was under my DH insurance with a really high deductable I told my OBGYN and she said she would do everything possible to keep baby safe and keep costs down. She was not mad at all and really explained the pros and cons of each procedure. We are now on my insurance with a very low decutable which I told her and now she runs any tests at the least bit of trouble since I only pay 10%.

Moral of my story is find a doc that will work with you. Maybe its too late for ths pregnancy but there are docs out there that will.

PS I live in an upper middle class area and most of my docs patients are uppe rmiddle class so its not like she is a "bleeding heart/ doctors without borders" type.

Couldn't have said it better! Jackass...

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totally ticked off my doctor today (long sorr)

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