I see so many posts on the boards about the hoops people have to go through to get care...referrals from PCP, dealing with Nurse Practitioners only (they are great don't get me wrong but not for something as serious as MS in my humble opinion), never getting to see MS specialists just neurologists, and never getting the care they need. Is this based on where you live and the type of medical coverage you are offered or is it just because of your medical coverage? I guess I am very very lucky to have medical coverage that allows me to see any doctor (either out of network or in network) that I need to see without a referral. I hate seeing so many people struggling to get care. It just ridiculous and I want to hug everyone.
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Diagnosed RRMS 4/7/15, symptoms for 8 months prior. Copaxone 4/27/15 -
Ditto to your comments. On top of everything that MS brings, there are many ridiculous hurdles in the health care system. It's difficult enough to get and keep good health care. Then, the health insurance companies fight for higher profits and we become consumers (profit centers) . It is a mess. Good topic for discussion. Good luck -
In my case it is a combination of all of the factors you cited.
I too used to have good insurance, before I was forced to retire and go on SSDI (medicare). But even then I was limited in that doctors either weren't taking new patients (did not even stand a chance w/o a referral) or the fact that there simply aren't the specialists that I need in this area.
So now I have to also factor in which doctors will even take my medicare advantage plan (the only insurance that I can get in my state at my age).
Earlier this year I finally got a referral to a MS clinic (yeah there is some increased travel time). I am happier there as they seem to be more up to date on MS stuff ie drugs available and they don't look at me as if I have lost my mind when explaining symptoms, but truly hate that it took me 20 years post dx to get here.
As Jerry said it all boils down to the cost
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