Hi Everybody,
KIDNEY STONE ATTACK- We have a friend who recently had the unfortunate experience of suffering from an attack of kidney stones. Any of you that have had kidney stones understand just how bad this can be – and he had it pretty bad.
Here’s the problem: The emergency room made a big deal out of his suffering, made it seem serious and worthy of emergency care, recommended further testing and even moving him to a more equipped hospital, until…
…they found out he didn’t have good insurance. Then they sent him home, and told him he’d be fine. Just like that.
WAS IT THAT BAD OR NOT?- Obviously this is just unacceptable. He either did or did not need further testing and transfer to another hospital – but which was it?
Was the situation really so bad that he needed further testing and referral to another facility, but they stopped treatment when they found out his insurance situation? Or was it really not bad enough that it required all the extra testing and transfer to another facility, but they were going to do these things anyway to cash in on the situation?
Either scenario is unacceptable. How often does this happen?
YOUR REAL DOCTOR- We have seen this same scenario play many times over the years, but it shouldn’t be that way.
Your real doctor is not the man or woman standing in front of you with a notepad and a white coat, it is actually the hospital manager or administrator that decides if it is profitable enough to give you the care you need. Your real doctor is also the insurance you have who determines which procedures and tests will be approved and which won’t, regardless of what your doctor says. Further, if you do have insurance, your real doctor is the high school graduate with no medical training hired by the insurance company to find a way to limit or deny your care, even care that has been determined to be ‘medically necessary’. When health care becomes big business, it takes the reins out of the hands of the doctor and patient, and puts them in the hands of profiteers.
Hope this helps,
Dr Matt and Dr Robin
mattandrobin@yahoo.com (email)
This week’s bit of Useless Information: According to a Princeton study, more money makes people happier up to $75,000 per year. After that point, higher pay does not increase happiness.
This email is courtesy of Matthew Barnes, D.C. and Robin Barnes, D.C. Neither this nor any of our emails are intended to be medical advice and should not be taken as such. They are opinion and are for informational purposes only. None of the nutrients discussed here are meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.