STOP THE PRESSES - AN MD HAS BEEN FOUND | Arthritis Information
Two months ago I was referred to a new GP. I saw her yesterday for a TSH test and to ask her to take over my two scripts my rheumy won't handle.
She called me at 8:46 am this morning (never had a physician call me in my life) to tell me my TSH had normalized (after shooting up to 72 and the wrong dosage being called in for two weeks); she had contacted my rheumy yesterday and said they were on the same page and would work together (another first, its always about some mysterious HIPPA? form about how MDs cannot talk to each other about you); and was looking forward to the physical she would be conducting in a few weeks which she suggested that I have been begging for and was told recently that physicians dont do "physicals" anymore. My rheumy has not done any baselines since my diagnosis of last June, but I do appreciate his aggressiveness due to my complex diagnosis and age factor, which puts me in the 97% percentile of I am screwed.
Anyway, since I am always fair, I have found a non-moronic medical doctor in Florida and wanted to spread the good news because I am floored. Only took me 46 doctors and 7 years. And I understand that's a low number for most women before they are finally believed. Take care and good luck and don't give up. Cathy
justsaynoemore39203.7479861111
Congratulations!! I knew there would be a doc out there for you! I am very happy for you. Now you can get on the road to remission!Wasn't Doctor Summers was it? lol; I'm kidding; but She was the only one that's called me at home besides my OB. She's awesome too!!
Sounds like good news! Good for you.
I am delighted for you.Just a note on the HIPPA issue and physicians being able to share information. This is just not true. I have worked as a privacy officer in a hospital for 3 years and now teach it college now. If the Health Information being exchanged is for the Treatment, Payment or Ongoing health care needs, there is no barrier to the information being exchanged. It also means that any time your insurance needs more information from the physician to pay a claim, the patient is not required to sign an additional form.
If you as a patient did want YOUR health information shared with ANYONE you might will be asked to sign an authorization form. But it is YOUR information, you own it and can share it with anyone.
here is a link to a great website regarding your health information and HIPPA. Look under the "myth" section and what "justsaynoemore" physician office told her is myth #2.
http://www.healthprivacy.org/
Mary - this wasn't this physician, this has been all the other ones. I have a thick file folder of the letters I had to write to give permission for the primary to be able to talk to the gastro to be able to talk to the endo - it was endless. They all told me they could not contact any of my other physicians without specific written instructions from me, and then they still wouldn't communicate because they belonged to different health groups attached to competing hospitals. This new physician just called my rheumy after verbally asking for my permission, it was a tremendous relief. I think you misunderstood my post. It had nothing to do with the HIPPA laws (I was married to a doctor for 22 years), it was all about being greedy, unhelpful, and trying to get one over on another doctor over my physical health for their egos. Take care ~~ Cathy
justsaynoemore39203.753125Yikes, that is much worse. I also teach a class on the ethical and legal issues in a medical office. I hope I teach my students (they are working on becoming transcription's, billers, coders, medical assistants, nursing assistants and medical secretaries) that they will be held personally responsible (there are laws regarding fraud and abuse with regards to financial gain) if they participate in the type of behavior that you are describing. I always pose ethical questions regarding them being asked to submit a claim with false information. I hope everything goes well for you.
I know, it seems to be rampant in Florida. This hasn't happened in other States I have lived in. But then, you cannot even file a complaint in person in Florida either as I learned (but got a phone call saying they would go after the other hospital/doctor). It's bizarre down here. Take care and thanks for the kind words, I am very hopeful tonight. My husband (who accompanies me on most visits and has witnessed the screaming, the fights, the throwing of papers at us, etc. by MDs) was thrilled to hear her message. We might have reached the bottom of the barrel of the lack of health care in Florida. Cathy
Wow Cathy...that many doc's? I hope I don't have to go through that as well. How at ease you must be knowing you can stop searching after so many years. Congrats!
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