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-   -   Missed Dr Appointment (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/missed-dr-appointment-662407/)

bostonbound Apr 2nd 2010 10:51 pm

Missed Dr Appointment
 
I think I'm going to cry :( I completely forgot about the kids school medicals today. I never forget appointments! I feel so guilty. I am spinning so many plates at the moment but why did this have to be the one I dropped? Will the surgery allow me to make another appointment or will I be considered unreliable now and have to find somewhere else? I totally understand if I have to pay a fee. I just wish they knew that I've never done this before! All week I had been thinking about it and then today I forget - I am so angry with myself!

Elvira Apr 2nd 2010 10:58 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by bostonbound (Post 8468718)
I think I'm going to cry :( I completely forgot about the kids school medicals today. I never forget appointments! I feel so guilty. I am spinning so many plates at the moment but why did this have to be the one I dropped? Will the surgery allow me to make another appointment or will I be considered unreliable now and have to find somewhere else? I totally understand if I have to pay a fee. I just wish they knew that I've never done this before! All week I had been thinking about it and then today I forget - I am so angry with myself!

Ring them up without delay, grovel, apologise and explain your situation in your nicest English/Scottish/Welsh/Irish (delete as applicable) voice.

(Unusual though that they did not remind you by phone the day before.)

In any event, stop beating yourself up - we all do daft things every now and again :)

Bob Apr 2nd 2010 11:12 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by Elvira (Post 8468732)
(Unusual though that they did not remind you by phone the day before.)

Down my way and most places I've been to around here have rung a week before and then the day before as a reminder.

You miss it, or turn up more than 15 mins late, you'll pay a late fee, anything from $20-100.

They don't pay you that when your 1pm appointment doesn't get seen till 3pm mind, completely blowing your lunch hour :lol:

Anyway, ring them up, they don't usually care if you miss an appointment, they want your money...but if your a new patient or if the place is busy and it's for a physical or such, you could be waiting anything like 3-5 months for another appointment...but then again, depends on your doctors.

bostonbound Apr 3rd 2010 12:29 am

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
Thanks guys. I tried to phone them but they were closed so I shall try again in the morning. If not, it'll have to wait until Monday when hopefully I will have put this in perspective! The school requires the medicals within 6 months so I've got 5 to go so I should be okay time-wise. I'm just such a perfectionist and this to me seems like a major mess up on my part! (Although I did enjoy playing rounders with the kids on account of the lovely sunny day!) I'm sure I will feel better after my second glass of wine :)

Michael Apr 3rd 2010 4:48 am

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most doctors offices expect missed appointments so they book appointments for a shorter time than they expect will be needed. If everyone shows up, then appointments run significantly late before lunch and late in the evening.

Some charge a missed appointment fee and others don't and expect it as a normal cost of doing business.

made of kent Apr 3rd 2010 5:42 am

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
Oh this was me last year! did exactly the same thing! after about 3 weeks of stressing an American Friend said " they don't actually have your insurance details yet?" "no" "well forget it, find a new clinic"
I know it is strange this health care system, I have gone 2 years without a smear, cos I can't work out what to do? ( have had laser treatment twice for CIN in the UK) :frown:it's really hard to find a specialist? my hubby need's lipitor the last doctor he went to and got his med's said you need to be referred, DH said why can't you refer me? they said your need to be referred by your doctor... what doctor? you are a doctor? surely a doctor in a private system is a DOCTOR!, you shouldn't need to be refereed?
like to point out my DH works for the company that make lipitor, and he hasn't taken it in at least a year cos we can't work out the mine field that is American health care...dry laugh..

made of kent Apr 3rd 2010 6:06 am

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
oh! I had a rant, sorry, you are normal mum, I started out saying that, then went off on one :) trust me we all do it (and rant) but you are completely normal mum, US/UK doesn't matter! look for another provider and as an NHS trained nurse you will never know the hatred in my heart and the spittle from my lips, how much I hated the US System, to the point I refused to retrain here, but now I am going to :-) in my ICU specialty! it's a new age. still private but that's how the NHS started!

Michael Apr 3rd 2010 7:18 am

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by made of kent (Post 8469085)
Oh this was me last year! did exactly the same thing! after about 3 weeks of stressing an American Friend said " they don't actually have your insurance details yet?" "no" "well forget it, find a new clinic"
I know it is strange this health care system, I have gone 2 years without a smear, cos I can't work out what to do? ( have had laser treatment twice for CIN in the UK) :frown:it's really hard to find a specialist? my hubby need's lipitor the last doctor he went to and got his med's said you need to be referred, DH said why can't you refer me? they said your need to be referred by your doctor... what doctor? you are a doctor? surely a doctor in a private system is a DOCTOR!, you shouldn't need to be refereed?
like to point out my DH works for the company that make lipitor, and he hasn't taken it in at least a year cos we can't work out the mine field that is American health care...dry laugh..

In the US there are primarily two different systems for private health insurance, PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) and HMOs (Health Maintainance Organizations).

A PPO allow patients to see any doctor. If the doctor is within the network (list of doctors that agree to charge certain prices for procedures), the patient pays less of a copay.

A HMO requires the patient to see a primary care physician that the patient defines (from a list provided by the HMO) when they first start getting health care through the HMO. He/she must always see that physician and that physician will refer the patient to another physician if the patient needs speciality care. Speciality care may include gynecologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, or any other type of speciality.

In your case, it is likely that you belong to a HMO.

As far as your husband taking lipitor, it is a brand drug that costs about $120 per month and you will likely have a very large copay. Zocor (generic) cost about $20 per month and your copay should be very small. I would recommend that he tries zocor before using lipitor. They are both usually very effective in treating high cholesterol.

Rete Apr 3rd 2010 12:10 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
Don't lose sleep over it. Call and explain and see what happens.

As for made in kent, your husband works for a drug company so he should be able to see the company's onsite doctor and get the prescription for lipitor from him as well as samples.

My sis worked for Bristol Meyers Squib and they had their own onsite doctor and for that reason she never had to have a private doctor for over 18 years.

As for using generic drugs, ask your doctor first since not all generic drugs are the exactly the same. The principal properties are the same but there may be one ingredient missing or one added that will adversely affect the patient. I had to go off of lipitor because of side effects.

Michael Apr 3rd 2010 12:48 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8469562)
As for using generic drugs, ask your doctor first since not all generic drugs are the exactly the same. The principal properties are the same but there may be one ingredient missing or one added that will adversely affect the patient. I had to go off of lipitor because of side effects.

When I was referring to lipitor and zocor, they are different drugs. I was only suggesting that he should try zocor (either brand or generic version) first to see if it works to save money. Brand zocor will be slightly more expensive than generic zocor. Lipitor does not have a generic version.

However since he works for Eli Lilly, he may be able to get lipitor at very reduced prices and then it may not be beneficial to try zocor.

As far as generic as compared to brand drugs, the only time I've had a problem is with creams. But you are correct, the inactive ingredients (sugars, etc.) could be different between the brand and generic drugs.

Jerseygirl Apr 3rd 2010 1:06 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by Michael (Post 8469593)
When I was referring to lipitor and zocor, they are different drugs. I was only suggesting that he should try zocor (either brand or generic version) first to see if it works to save money. Brand zocor will be slightly more expensive than generic zocor. Lipitor does not have a generic version.

However since he works for Eli Lilly, he may be able to get lipitor at very reduced prices and then it may not be beneficial to try zocor.

As far as generic as compared to brand drugs, the only time I've had a problem is with creams. But you are correct, the inactive ingredients (sugars, etc.) could be different between the brand and generic drugs.

Lipitor is made by Pfizer not Eli Lilly...a friend of ours formulated it. ;)

Mallory Apr 3rd 2010 1:29 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 
Several of the statins have gone generic now. My hubby used to take Pravachol, generic is pravastatin. He gets it from Target for $10 for a 3- month supply. They use simvastatin with the NHS, which is another generic. Target, Wal-Mart, etc., all do these $4 a month for generic, or $10 for a 3- month supply. Obviously you need the prescription first. They will put you on call-back, and call you when you need pick up your next, supply, until your prescription runs out. Don't use your drug card, just pay for it.

Made of Kent. Most women in the US go to a gynecologist for their Pap smear. Call you insurance company and find out who you can use. Then make an appointment and go. Same with hubby: Call insurance company and say he needs a statin, and they will tell you who you can use. Then make an appointment. He will give hubby a script, and you can go to the drug store and have it filled. But I would definitely ask dr to prescribe a generic.

Michael Apr 3rd 2010 1:50 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 8469620)
Lipitor is made by Pfizer not Eli Lilly...a friend of ours formulated it. ;)

My brain wasn't working.

Jerseygirl Apr 3rd 2010 1:57 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by made of kent (Post 8469085)
Oh this was me last year! did exactly the same thing! after about 3 weeks of stressing an American Friend said " they don't actually have your insurance details yet?" "no" "well forget it, find a new clinic"
I know it is strange this health care system, I have gone 2 years without a smear, cos I can't work out what to do? ( have had laser treatment twice for CIN in the UK) :frown:it's really hard to find a specialist? my hubby need's lipitor the last doctor he went to and got his med's said you need to be referred, DH said why can't you refer me? they said your need to be referred by your doctor... what doctor? you are a doctor? surely a doctor in a private system is a DOCTOR!, you shouldn't need to be refereed?
like to point out my DH works for the company that make lipitor, and he hasn't taken it in at least a year cos we can't work out the mine field that is American health care...dry laugh..

As a Pfizer employee...can't your husband get Lipitor free from the company? Many pharma companies provide this perk to their employees...of course he'll need a prescription.

Leslie Apr 3rd 2010 2:15 pm

Re: Missed Dr Appointment
 

Originally Posted by bostonbound (Post 8468824)
Thanks guys. I tried to phone them but they were closed so I shall try again in the morning. If not, it'll have to wait until Monday when hopefully I will have put this in perspective! The school requires the medicals within 6 months so I've got 5 to go so I should be okay time-wise. I'm just such a perfectionist and this to me seems like a major mess up on my part! (Although I did enjoy playing rounders with the kids on account of the lovely sunny day!) I'm sure I will feel better after my second glass of wine :)

I'm sure you are much more upset about this than the doctor's office is. They overbook and on an initial visit most of the work is done by the support staff anyway. One advantage of healthcare for profit is that you are the customer. Call them to apologize and ask to rebook your appointment(s). If they are rude about it (and I seriously doubt they will be) then let them know you will be taking your business elsewhere.


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