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eblack,

Thanks for your story. Why is it that for something that is supposedly so heavily regulated by the FDA do we get a different answer depending on who you ask. In your case the Insurance company is telling the truth, the DME is lying and the Doc is happy to do "whatever" Is this what is meant in the medical profession by the phrase second (and third) opinion.

This all makes me very leary about any medical advice from the professionals. It seems they all operate to the benefit of their own agenda. In defense of the forum, we only have the agenda of helping others to find the solutions we have found ourselves.

wading thru the muck! wrote:In defense of the forum, we only have the agenda of helping others to find the solutions we have found ourselves.

And don't forget "Helping folks to laugh about their condition". At least, that's one of my agendas.

Seriously, I think the doctor in that case isn't following an agenda, if I read it right, he's saying "Wow, if they're gonna be such jerks to you, I'll write you prescriptions for anything you ask for." My impression was that the doctor is being very helpful.

At least, I hope I read it right.

I can tell you, by the way, my own PCP is EXCELLENT. I've never met a doctor I liked better or trusted more, but it's largely because he's the first to tell me if he doesn't know much about a topic (such as sleep apnea), and he's happy to work WITH me. I think he knows a lot, and like true experts in a field, doesn't need me to treat him like one, because he has no doubts about his own abilities that would require that ego stroking.

Just in case anyone wants to accuse me of being anti-doctor.

Liam, who had an Uncle Doctor once, but never an Auntie Doctor.

Liam1965 wrote:

wading thru the muck! wrote:In defense of the forum, we only have the agenda of helping others to find the solutions we have found ourselves.

And don't forget "Helping folks to laugh about their condition". At least, that's one of my agendas.

Liam, I didn't forget, Humor is a solution you have found for yourself and generously share with the rest of us.

My only criticism of the Doc in question is that he just used his pen to impose a "work around" and ignored the real problem of a serious offense by the DME.

I've loved the last three PCPs I've had over the last 20 years. Sadly (for me) all three have moved away for family reasons. I am now in search of another fine Doc.

wading thru the muck! wrote:My only criticism of the Doc in question is that he just used his pen to impose a "work around" and ignored the real problem of a serious offense by the DME.

I agree, but given how much doctors are squeezed by the insurance companies these days, I know mine is always very busy. I applaud him for being willing to say "Aw, hell, that's stupid, I'll write you prescriptions for everything you want", even if he didn't have the time or energy to do anything about a bad DME.

Doctors have so little pull with insurance companies these days, that I'm not so sure there's anything he could have done about it had he WANTED to. It was probably the insurance company which specified which DME (or choice of a couple) had to be used.

Liam, who notes that the Evil DMEs probably got that way by selling their souls to the demon Insurance companies.

Liam,

The insurance company was the one giving the straight story. The DME was the evil one and the Doc stood by and let it all happen.

I agree the docs are controlled too much by the insurance companies, but that is their own fault. In the small town we live in we have a family friend that has an independent medical practice. He charges seemingly rediculously low fees and has patients lined up out the door. It can be done right if you want to.