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Thursday Afternoon Open Thread

I'd probably rather be almost anywhere than the dentist, but that's where I'm headed for the rest of the day. At least the drive to his office in Boulder will be pleasant.

How long have you had the same doctor or dentist? I've had the same doctor for 28 years and the same dentist for 25 years. (Which is not as long as I've had the same auto insurance policy -- 38 years.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Just switched my doctor this year (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by waldenpond on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 12:39:43 PM EST
    as my provider dropped my prior doctor.  You just don't call for an appt and get your records together anymore.  I had 8-10 pages I had to fill out and they run your insurance coverage.

    It's just like going to college 'congratulations, you've been accepted.'  

    Same dentist for 10 years but I do know he accepts no medi-cal/medicare. Switched auto insurance after having a fender bender and my rates would have gone up thousands per year.

    No kidding. (none / 0) (#3)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:09:02 PM EST
    "access" today means proving that you can pay or that your insurance can pay.  And I'm sensing a growing problem with getting insurance companies to pay for ordinary things.  It seems that care providers look at insurance companies as a necessary evil.

    Parent
    Annual Physical (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by waldenpond on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:37:04 PM EST
    You should have seen my surprise when I got billed for portions of my annual physical.  My premiums have gone up $1000 per year for the last two years, co-pays up, deductible up, shrinking provider list and now I get billed for my annual check-up.  Woo-hoo!  I lurve my insurance company.

    Parent
    Yikes. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:43:42 PM EST
    Hang in there.  Your story is saddening and not unique.  I hope/believe things will change.  Um, President Obama, "Yes We Can"?

    Parent
    J, I would suggest new doctors. (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 12:45:47 PM EST
    My Dad moved last year and had to change doctors. Man o man, medical issues he'd put up with for years (on the recommendations of his old docs) are now being treated and resolved.

    A fresh look might not be such a bad idea...

    you are very lucky (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:12:35 PM EST
    to have stable health and dental care.  I have been in Champaign for about two years and I have seen 5 different doctors.  (I had to stop and think)  they have ranged from surly and stupid to downright mean.
    I have finally found a doctor I like and it is a woman.  never had a woman doctor before its a little weird.  now I know how women have felt for years I guess.


    the situation here (none / 0) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:28:43 PM EST
    may or may not be normal.  it is different where I live in arkansas.  I had very stable and good medical care there even when I did not have insurance.  small town thing I guess.
    here, there are two competing health care companies.
    Christy and Carle.  they are equally awful.  there are a few independents around but they all stopped accepting new patients years ago.  this being a college town they come here, train for a while and then leave.  I have lost two pretty good ones because they left.
    the last time I let Carle pick my doctor for me I got a an Indian guy who may have been nice enough but he literally could barely speak english.
    a common language is where I draw the line for medical care.


    Parent
    Time for a change, Jeralyn. (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:12:43 PM EST
    I had the same doctor for 10 years.  No compaints; he is happy to prescribe prescriptions for anything I complain about, including hair loss.  
    I had the same dentist for 5 years.  The last time I saw him, a couple years ago, he said "uh oh".  I said what do you mean "uh oh"?  He said "we need to pull teeth".  I said "why have I been coming to you for all these years if you now need to pull teeth?  I could sit on the couch and eat chococlate all day and get the same result!"  (Fired him immediately! moved onto a different CIGNA HMO crap dentist!)
    ....But, I'm going to Cairo 10-06-09!  YEAH!  Thousands of dollars in dental work will be presented to the Sphinx.

    Pull teeth? (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:54:27 PM EST
    Come to Columbus and I'll refer you to my dentist.  He's pretty good and the only teeth I've had pulled were my worthless wisdom teeth.  He pulled my husband's tooth - but it was because he lacked the mate, so it wasn't helping him to chew food and was just going to collect food, get cavities and then get pulled.  I watched.

    Parent
    Columbus sounds terrific... (none / 0) (#33)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:11:32 PM EST
    ...compared to these crap Chicago dentists paid by CIGNA HMO, whose only goal is to minimize their cost!
    My history is braces as a kid; baby teeth pulled to accomodate braces;  then permanent teeth pulled to accomodate braces; oh, then braces.  (I have a history of dentists stating I have a small mouth (contrary to anythihg my family or friedns may say!)  So, as an adult, to hear I need teeth pulled, after all my (and my parents') diligence,  by someone whose diligence was obviously lacking because of the manner in which he was compensated, was very disheartening.  
    Um, no, it pissed me off.  Frankly, as would be the case of many of us, I would have paid more for better service if I would have been aware that the dollars I paid (through my Global 10 company's benefits) weren't sufficient to ensure my health.

    Parent
    Cigna stinks. (none / 0) (#44)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 05:19:45 PM EST
    We didn't have their HMO plan, but they were the stereotypical late, later, latest payers and the hospital would send the bills to us if Cigna hadn't paid after three months.

    We don't have Cigna anymore.  Aetna has been decent to us - at least we quibble over what they cover instead of if they are going to pay the bills before we start getting collection notices.

    Parent

    Don't have a doctor... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:19:31 PM EST
    picked a name at random out of the insurance co's book when filling out the enrollment forms.

    Very pleased with my dentist...err student dentists at the Stonybrook University Dental Clinic...the kids get graded on the dental work so they are trying their best at all times shooting for perfection, and it's less than half the cost of a regular dentist...it has been a god-send for me that place.  Some hassles with getting seen, long waiting list for new patients, and only M-W-F 10am or 2 pm appointments, but still beats the alternative by far...getting a credit card and running up thousands in dental work debts.

    Interesting choice... (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:23:45 PM EST
    of second gig for a cop, but I'm sure you can all guess what I consider the more noble line of work:)

    its the end of the world (none / 0) (#9)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:29:36 PM EST
    If we could only get parents... (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 01:48:59 PM EST
    outraged about the debts we're passing onto the kids instead of stupid dolls...sh*t, I don't even have any and I feel guilty as sin about it.

    Parent
    Oh, time to change auto insurance too, Jeralyn. (none / 0) (#13)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:00:27 PM EST
    I had reliable auto insurance for years.  The company has now become infamous.  You may have heard of it, AIG.  Before I switched, and saved hundreds of dollars on insuring a car that is paid for, has low miles, and sits in a garage more time than not, my rates kept increasing over the years.  I now know why.
    J, can't hurt to shop.

    health care and banking (none / 0) (#14)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:05:12 PM EST
    nexis:

    Bank of America Taunts Armless Man, Demands Thumbprint for Check Cashing;

    Bank of America, the most hated, incompetent and wanton financial institution to ever steal from, extort and blackmail American consumers reaches new lows every day as the 21st Century financial catastrophe grinds on to full-bore cannibal anarchy, this summer demonstrating a cackling, contemptuous diabolical disregard for the handicapped, literally flinging demands for a thumbprint at a man with no arms.

    Silly armless man... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:17:19 PM EST
    doesn't he know the fingerprint requirement is for his own good?  He's lucky he didn't get tased pulling a stunt like that.  I hope he is severely punished because today its refusing to give prints of non-existent fingers, tommorow its anarchy.  Rules are rules, a lesson must be made of this armless rabble-rouser.  

    Parent
    honestly (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:18:28 PM EST
    it would be funny if it was not true.

    Parent
    Bah (none / 0) (#18)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:30:12 PM EST
    He should have just taken the money anyway.  It's not like they could charge him with armed robbery.

    Parent
    It's not funny... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:30:43 PM EST
    at all, on a couple levels...that you have to give a fingerprint to cash a check, that people get so blinded by rules they insist on a fingerprint from an armless human being.  Utterly f*ckin' sad and embarassing actually...that was the point of my sarcastic little rant.

    Parent
    to paraphrase (none / 0) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:36:34 PM EST
    "forget it kdog.  its BankofAmericatown"

    (stolen from another great post at that site)

    if you read the comments you will find some interesting personal experience with that institution from yours truly.


    Parent

    B of A has always treated me quite well. (none / 0) (#21)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:42:32 PM EST
    Oh and 'the Bank of America' did not interact with Valdez, a person did.

    A person who, apparently, was either not following procedure or not communicating well enough to Valdez what that procedure was.

    Valdez, 54, was born without arms and uses prosthetics. He said he went into the downtown Bank of America branch Thursday to cash a check from his wife, who had an account there.

    The teller told him she'd have to check with the manager because ordinarily someone without an account at the bank had to provide a thumbprint to cash a check there, and obviously he could not do that.

    Valdez said he had hoped his two photo IDs would be enough proof that he was honest. But the manager told him that without the thumbprint, he would have to either open an account or bring his wife to the bank to cash the check.

    [...]

    Anne Pace, a spokeswoman for Bank of America, said the bank workers could have requested two identifications from Valdez in place of the thumbprint requirement.

    "We do have a policy for this particular instance and it should have been offered to Mr. Valdez," Pace said. "I'd also like to add this instance does not represent the bank's policy for accommodating customers."



    Parent
    like I said (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:51:05 PM EST
    (on the other site) I had an uneventful 10 or 12 years until my loyalty was rewarded with a royal screw job.


    Parent
    Sorry to hear of your personal troubles. (none / 0) (#28)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:01:43 PM EST
    B of A has waived every fee and penalty my wife and I have ever asked for. And, over the years, there have been enough mistakes on our part to make that non-trivial.

    Parent
    no doubt (none / 0) (#31)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:07:55 PM EST
    there are good people in every bad institution and vice versa.
    but the stories about BofA are do pile up.
    fwiw I liked the people I dealt with personally in my dealings with them in LA.  I even remember them forgiving some fees and mistakes.
    but when the other stuff happened I was no longer dealing with those people.

    Parent
    B of A didnt waive the fees (none / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:12:27 PM EST
    people at B of A waived the fees.

    Everybody at the bank dosnt get credit anymore than everybody there deserves blame for the aforementioned incident.

    Parent

    Couldn't agree more. (none / 0) (#35)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:14:34 PM EST
    from my experience (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:29:59 PM EST
    and from what I read, the "people" who work at various branches are not usually the problem.
    with exceptions like the one in the story.
    it is, in fact, Bank of America that is the problem.


    Parent
    A person... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:59:34 PM EST
    representing and acting on the behalf of Bank of America interacted with the poor man.  And I get the feeling we might get a different view of corporate policy from the teller than from the spokesperson...the public is often told a completely different story then the one in the staff-meeting, where the tellers may have heard something like "no matter how much they complain, no print no cash, or its coming out of your check."

    I know at Chase, 2 forms of ID or 20, they want that print or you ain't getting your cheese unless you open an account...oh yeah, and a $6 "how dare you not let us hold your cash" surcharge in addition to that fresh criminal feeling of giving prints. "No fee and no prints if you open an account sir" they say.  No f*ckin' thanks chief...who taught you how to sell?  Ya catch more flies with honey.

     

    Parent

    I get the feeling (none / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:07:12 PM EST
    we might get a different view of the entire interaction from the teller and manager rather than Valdez.

    Parent
    For sure... (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:24:03 PM EST
    but it appears Mr. Valdez is who he claims he is, had proper ID...the facts are on his side here. And most relevant, he was the customer.

    I'm glad the bank got egg on their face...they deserve it.

    Parent

    whether he was using honey that day to catch hsi flies or vinegar. Nor do we know if he actually had two forms of ID and/or if he communicated that successfully to the bank personal. We don't know that the bank said to him, and whether Valdez heard and/or understood everything, etc., etc.

    Many of the 'facts' are what he said happened. They may well be 'facts,' then again, they might not be. Maybe the bank didn't deserve it in this case.

    Almost always, in my experience, there are two sides to every story. Sometimes people are just A #1 a$$holes. Most times, though, there are other factors in play that escalate the conflict.

    Except when someone pisses me off, of course. When they do they're 100% in the wrong!

    Parent

    the lights really have gone out (none / 0) (#15)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:12:33 PM EST
    in Georgia.

    Broun warns of dictatorship
    Congressman stays on message - freedom at risk

    U.S. Rep. Paul Broun is again raising the specter of Democrats turning the United States into a totalitarian state.
    Broun, R-Athens, apparently has not changed his belief that President Obama may be a fascist since he made similar remarks in Augusta in November and then in an Associated Press interview.
    He told a meeting of the Morgan County Republicans on Wednesday night that Obama already has or will have the three things he needs to make himself a dictator: a national police force, gun control and control over the press.
    "He has the three things that are necessary to establish an authoritarian government," Broun said. "And so we need to be ever-vigilant, because freedom is precious."
    As he did when comparing Obama to Hitler and the Soviets last year, Broun cited a speech Obama gave in Colorado during the campaign last July calling for "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military.



    Oh fer @#$^%&*!! sake. (none / 0) (#22)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:45:38 PM EST
    I've just had ANOTHER wireless mouse stop working for no apparent reason. Replaced the batteries and still no go. It seems these things last about a year for me.

    Anyone else have any good brands/models they recommend?

    I tried two different ones (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:50:04 PM EST
    they both sucked.  I gave up.


    Parent
    I just went back... (none / 0) (#29)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:02:40 PM EST
    to a wired home phone...the damn wireless one wouldn't hold a charge for sh*t, and its not even that old.

    Its not ideal to be tethered...but at least the thing always works.

    Parent

    a call to arms (none / 0) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 02:53:20 PM EST
    President Obama's co-opting of what is, for many, the first day of school -- not only taking unprecedented access to 50 million impressionable minds but pushing a curriculum turning children's hearts towards Obama -- has riveted the attention of conservative parents nationwide.

    rivited!! wow.  I guess I am surprised that their attention span is broad enough to support a rivet.
    a staple maybe.  or a paper clip.


    I transferred back to the DFW area (none / 0) (#36)
    by easilydistracted on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:17:22 PM EST
    18 months ago and returned to the PCP from my first time in the area in the mid-90s. Now in an administrative role, he has a limited practice "to keep up his doctoring skills" as he puts it. He spoke recently at a republican women's luncheon:
    the current healthcare system is creating disparities in the way people are accessing medicine. He said government reimbursements have for too long focused on specialty care and more expensive treatments, rather than on primary care or preventive medicine.
    We need to look at what is wasteful in the system," he said. "But what we really need is a philosophical shift from fee-for-service to an integrated system that provide medical homes for patients.

    He later told me that his remarks were not exactly what the audience expected. BTW, anyone heard of "medical homes for patients?" The term sure looks right for misrepresentation. Anyway, He's going to explain more on that during my next visit.
       

    Yep... (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:27:20 PM EST
    ...it refers back to the concept of your PCP being a "gatekeeper" for your health care.  A simple enough concept for anyone who doesn't need an entire staff of specialists or suffers from a multitude of conditions.  But rather overwhelming having to handle someone like myself.

    I have a PCP, but my nephrologist/transplant clinic is really my de-facto "medical home".

    Parent

    Di-Fi just got back to me (none / 0) (#40)
    by Dadler on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:32:43 PM EST
    Why do I think a LOT of other people got this same desultory reply to our constant entreaties for an unsparing healthcare fight.  (IOW, her response is mostly...not much.  We'll settle for this or this or this, which means maybe we'll settle for something else, too, just try us.):

    "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dadler:

    "Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the inclusion of a public health care option in health care reform legislation. I am committed to enacting meaningful reform to expand access to the health care system.

    "I am delighted that you support healthcare reform, as do I. The key is to find a healthcare plan that provides coverage, as well as limits costs. My colleagues in the Senate and I have been working on this, but it is a difficult issue and must be carefully thought out. I hope that the Senate Finance Committee will propose a bill which will lay out a way in which we can accomplish these goals and can be effectively merged with the bill passed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    "Other health reforms are also necessary. I strongly believe that any healthcare reform legislation should prohibit coverage denial based on preexisting conditions. Reducing healthcare costs is absolutely essential. Between 2000 and 2007, combined profits for 10 of the country's largest publically traded insurance companies rose 428 percent. I believe that a way to control those costs is by instituting a public option, a nonprofit cooperative model, or a regulatory authority to achieve this. I am also concerned about the astronomical growth of entitlement spending, which makes up 56 percent of all federal dollars spent in 2009. Health reform must bend the healthcare cost curve, slowing the growth of entitlements in order to reduce our nation's debt and budget deficit.

    "Any Senate health reform bill must improve California's complex health care system, and please know that I am working hard with my colleagues to make health care affordable for all Americans, without adding to the federal deficit.

    "blah, blah, boilerplate, blah...

    "Sincerely yours,

    "Dianne Feinstein
            United States Senator"


    Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dadler (none / 0) (#41)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:37:18 PM EST
    only thing better;

    Dear Mr. or Mrs. Dadler

    Parent

    I read it D... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 03:47:44 PM EST
    but all I comprehended was "wah wah wah wah wah wah", like I was sitting in class with Charlie Brown.

    Piss-poor by even form letter standards...I salute you for having the patience and fortitude to handle dissapointment to even bother writing.

    Parent