Opting Out.

I went over the bills from my insurance this year, stinkers. if I go to an established in network provider, they have not been charging me the deductible, if I go to someone (like current surgeon for well visits) they have a $600 deductible (advertised: $300 deductible if in network) since I went once at my 12 month post op visit and all we did was talk about the blah blah blah that I already know. I figure that I will save the $300 office visit,,, I AM SERIOUS, St Laurent charged me $300 for the office visit. there was NOTHING WRONG with me. I am just going to get my lab work done at my Rheumatoid Specialist and read my own results. what a pile of hooey. I just called today and canceled, they seemed surprised that I didn't want to fork out another $300 for a visit. tthhbb use the money on something practical like visitation to see darling daughter #3. seriously, my plane ticket into a Podunk regional airport (notorious for being over inflated) was cheaper than the office visit. Anyone else just saying no?

While I lived in Dallas, I frequently couldn't go to the doctors for minor things as we couldn't afford the co-pay. I used to 'save' everything up and deal with it all in one go. I think it is disgraceful in a first world country. That said, the US does have extremly good health care and I do miss it. Next time, I would just budget more carefully and make it a priority. You can't mess around with your health, but sometimes I think they do overcharge if they can and are unscruprelous (sp?)

oh, I totally am going to get my check up, but with a 'regular' doctor instead of a gastric surgeon. his duty is done and I am totally fine. no point in going back to him. it is $20 to see a normal doctor for my labs and general health which is totally reasonable. just not a surgeon anymore. ;)

I haven't seen my surgeon since the surgery - not only is he in a different country, but it wasn't included in the cost. It would have been better to have him available in case I needed him (which I did in the early days, but there you go), but I agree, this far out - lots of money when you can get just as good service from your regular doctor, and save the surgeon for any specialist care you may need.

Katherine, I don't blame you about doing your follow ups with your primary doctor. He can do the same blood work the surgeon does and refer you back if there is a problem. I was thinking about why the surgeon wants to keep seeing patients and all I can come up with is that they want their statistics. You probably should be doing your yearly check ups w/ the primary because that is the person you see most often. I don't blame you I could think of a lot of other, much more enjoyable ways, to spend that money. Good Luck Amy