Musings: Doctors keep calling my wallet
Another call, another co-pay. Are physicians checking on a patient's health or their own balance sheets? Credit: Bloomberg/Michael Short
Lately, I have been getting a number of phone calls from doctors’ offices trying to get me to make appointments for visits or expensive procedures.
One call, at 8:30 on a Saturday morning, said I needed to make a “follow-up” appointment. Follow up to what? The response: “Well, you haven’t been here in six months, and you should come in every six months.” Why? I’m not sick, and don’t need to see a doctor.
Another office called — again — trying to get me to book an invasive procedure despite being told repeatedly I had no intention to do it. The call came in while I was still recovering from surgery and, of course, waking me up.
On one office visit, I was told my health was fine, that antibiotics had done the job, but I should come back in a month. Why, I asked, if I’m fine? The reply: “Just to check.”
So these folks want me to spend almost half a week’s food money on a copay? For a meet-and-greet while I am struggling to buy enough food, pay my bills and just make ends meet. Do this after I have already cut out things that other people have?
Maybe it’s time for these doctors to scale back their expenses — their wants vs. needs — like the rest of us are doing. And stop calling to drum up business.
— Barbara Diamond-Obstgarten, Port Jefferson Station
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