Should Lawyers Be The New Doctors?

Dear patients, It has been a hard week. I wanted to take a moment to personally apologize for all that you have endured. As one who has witnessed your pains and struggles, I can only wince with each new passing hurdle you are forced to leap over. This business of disease and illness is not for the weak of heart (metaphorically, that is). To the man stranded in the hospital with a pelvic fracture, I wanted to say I'm sorry. Contrary to what you have been told, it was not I who gave the order to make your admission an observation. In fact, I did just the opposite. I had clicked the full admission order while doing the requisite computer work after seeing you that first night in the hospital. But the next day, I received a call from a physician in a distant city who has been paid by the medical center to review such cases. Although he reluctantly admitted that he is a pediatrician who doesn't even take care of adults, he has been given the power to interpret medicare rules and has decided that you don't qualify for inpatient status. Unfortunately it is of little interest to medicare, or this physician, that you are non ambulatory and that your wife is to frail to lift you. If you want to go to a skilled facility to strengthen before returning home, you'll have to pay for it yourself. I'm sorry for the young woman I saw in the office crippled by pain caused by gastroesophageal reflux. I cannot explain why your insurance company has decided to deny my prescription for twice a ...
Source: In My Humble Opinion - Category: Family Physicians Authors: Source Type: blogs