I have been hearing a lot about the medical system and its problems. Most people are talking about cost. While that is a problem for me and everyone else. I have one that I never hear about.
I have been retired from my work because of a very rare spinal problem since 1995. I am in the rarest of categories to have it. I have several feet of medical records and have had several surgeries. Hopefully, those are all behind me.
I have been with the same large HMO since 1979.Because of changes in my life I am going to lose the ability to stay with them. I have Medicare/Medicaid A and B and am willing to get other coverage if I can find it.
I have lived in Lake County for six years. In the last few months I have taken three letters into doctors” offices. The letters are short and clear. Explaining that I have a pre-existing problem. That I would like to continue with the treatment package I am in and that I would be happy to put them in contact with my current doctor or give them access to my records, so they can see what I have been through, that I am reasonable and not just looking for meds. It also states that I would make an appointment to meet them if they will consider me. So far, none have even acknowledged that I brought their office a letter. Never got a call for an appointment request or anything.
In case you are unaware, a person”s medical records are portable. Your treatment is not. You must find a doctor that is willing to except what is being presented to him. He can choose to drop it all or put you through any tests he wants, whatever your records may say.
My treatment is portable within the HMO that has no office in this county. Did you know that Medicare/Medicaid will not let you turn it over to an HMO that does not have an office in your county? I did not. Thank you federal government. I also was not prepared for the 250-percent increase in some co-pays that the Senior Advantage package came with at my HMO, but that problem is small compared to what I am facing now.
It is time we had a controlled monopoly for medical care in this country. When a citizen with complete records of a problem cannot use those records to just get a doctor to consider him then things are out of control.
I am in Lower Lake. Is there any reasonably local doctor interested in considering me ?
Roger Vise
Lower Lake
