I just had my annual physical. I asked the hospital-owned clinic to include the shingles vaccine approved for 60-somethings under the preventive care benefit guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act. What? Never heard of that? was the reply. I countered, You know, Obamacare benefits. Oh. We dont accept Obamacare. Really? says I, as I pondered whether to tell this billing professional that Obamacare is NOT insurance, but federal guidelines for private insurance companies. I tried. She was not receptive. But I wasnt in the mood to argue once again with a person determined to remain ignorant and argumentative. I instead handed her my Blue Cross card which she readily accepted. Of course, my Blue Cross policy was purchased through the federal health care marketplace and is therefore Obamacare just like 8 million other private insurance plans issued since the Affordable Care Act went into effect. Well, the story doesnt quite end there as this person then told me that Id have to prove that my insurance covered the shingles vaccine. I asked her to call the toll-free number on the back of my insurance card. But she said that was not her job. She told me that I should bring them a letter from my insurer. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. The physical was incomplete and poorly handled, I had to instruct the doctor to check my prostate and other standard procedures. They mishandled my blood work so I had to go back for an additional blood drawing. And, I had to go to the Rite Aide pharmacy later that day to get my free shingles vaccine. Bottom line: Ill be shopping for a new primary care doctor with a front office staff that puts patient care before misinformation and partisan politics
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:59:59 +0000
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