A Good Example of Why We Need Healthcare Reform

I recently went to the doctor's to get a routine physical since I'm fairly new to the area and needed to update my medications with a local doctor. The doctor was friendly and requested something from me that no other doctor has ever asked for in the history of my life. A blood screening so he could see where I was medically and how to treat me the best he could. I was shocked and delighted that a doctor was willing to use preemptive care instead of just fixing things as they broke down. He gave me a slip of paper for a local laboratory to get the blood samples and told me to make an appointment once I'd gotten the tests done.

Fast forward to the lab he sent me to. I waited an hour in a cramped, broken down room (I really wonder what the facilities inside looked like) only to be told I owe a large amount of money and could either pay now or contact their billing department. When I asked what this outrageous amount of money was for, they told me they weren't a billing department so they didn't know but gave me a date 2 years ago that this apparent procedure was for. This to me came off as rather fishy. I mean, why was I being forced to pay for a unknown service and on top of that, if these people aren't a billing office why should they refuse care because of a deficit (or take payment for that matter)?

At this point I would like to add that this is not the first time this has happened to me. This is a scam that Healthcare and Medical companies pull all the time. They expect most people will pay for these faulty bills instead of spend hours on the phone trying to see what's up. It makes me sick how much they get away with it. Especially with poor families, people who work multiple jobs, and others who don't have enough time to spend rooting out the problem in the tangled mess healthcare provides. These scams are unregulated and, get this, legal. Yes, it is legal to throw so many loopholes into a system that it's virtual impossible to get out of without hours and hours of work on your part to receive adequate healthcare for a reasonable price (even if you have insurance and pay your bills on time).

As for me, I called up the laboratory billing office only to find out that they never asked for the insurance information for a small routine check up I'd had all those years ago. My doctor told me they had called them up claiming I'd told the laboratory I'd never received such work (I've never even had direct contact with this company) and after an explanation to the doctor that treated me of what the lab company was doing, they stated they'd make sure to give them all proper documentation. Everything should be sorted out but because this company has already feigned ignorance, now I must monitor them to make sure all goes as it's supposed to. It's truly amazing how much hassle it is to receive basic healthcare in this day and age, even with all the medical advances.

The saddest part is that I have an easier time working with my car insurance and cell phone provider than with my healthcare insurance. It's a sad day when it's easier to take care of your phone and car than it is yourself...

Here is another great story about essentially the same thing