Looking for a Dr., Not a Needle in a Haystack

05.04.2010

I’m in need of an OB/GYN and I can’t begin to explain how difficult and ridiculous this process has become. It’s become a theatrical production, to say the least.

I’ve gotten several referrals from friends, neighbors, and even on-line but none are in my insurance network. Where I live, there are only 3 doctors within 5 miles that are on my plan. I know I could extend the miles but let’s zoom in on the number 3. In a city of thousands…

I started hating insurance companies back in 1994 when I injured my ankle and went through a nightmare of dealing with them and what they would and would not cover all the while I could not walk and no doctor could figure out what was wrong with me. After multiple x-rays, an MRI, and 2 different doctors who both found my case inconclusive but pumped my ankle with cortisone, I finally found a podiatrist who found a problem (not the problem) and with treatment and $600 orthodics that I had to pay from my own pocket, I was at least able to walk again.

Ladies and gentleman, it should not be this hard. I’m not even going to go into how doctors lack people skills anymore. I’m just focusing on the fact how hard it is to find a doctor/specialist. The issue of “people skills” comes in at a close second.

Rob and I were talking about me going to a gyno to take a fertility test but we were hit with some insurance stupidity (they dropped me w/o telling us cause my primary care physician left his group) and this had caused temporary havoc. But, as a result of a recent MRI for my back, I was given some results today that strongly suggest I go to a gyno as soon as possible and so now the hunt is on and it’s pissing me off. It really should not be this hard and what I’m truly scared of is when it comes time to find a pediatrician. I have only heard horror stories…