| > Schedule GP visit for referral to specialist (can't go directly!) Took forever. I can go to a specialist without referral on my PPO. > Specialist appointment. Still wanted to delay an MRI. Lots of foot-stomping, finally scheduled an MRI (30 days later). I got my shoulder MRI within 2 days after doctor visit. > PT can't be scheduled, 30 days haven't passed! Once 30 days passes, PT can be scheduled. First availability is 30 days in the future (AAAAAAH). Not sure what this is, I had surgery for my shoulder and was doing PT after 4 days post op. why did you have 30 day restriction? > doesn't want to 'wait and see', just get and MRI and we will probably see the problem clearly! MRI's often have high false positives, in my case a torn labrum would be seen in > 70% adults over 45 with no symptoms or pain. Scheduling surgery within a week merely from MRI sounds scary and irresponsible. Why would you want to jump to surgery first when its always available as a last resort. Wouldn't you want to see if something else would do the trick without surgery. Also, did you research how experienced the doctor is in doing this particular type of surgery, is he upto date with latest techniques, whats his malpractice rate ect. Jumping into surgery with some doctor that you just happen to meet is scary. A botched up surgery is something you have to live with for rest of your life, its irreversible decision. |
It could be that this is due to irresponsible MRI'ing and unneeded operations. If that were true it would be very interesting, since that's the opposite of what people assume when they think of socialized medicine.
I would also assume that it would be more expensive per capita, which it doesn't appear to be: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.PCAP?end=2014&lo...
It could be that all these super-fast decisions are more expensive, but kill a lot of people sooner, thus saving everyone on healthcare. This also doesn't appear to be the case (life expectancy at birth is higher). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?location...
Anyway, to answer your specific points:
- PPO vs HMO: Nice that you have a PPO. That option wasn't available to me. In the Netherlands, I can pick my insurer freely, my employer has no say in the matter (costs are 100-150 euro a month). Some insurers have in-group agreements, some do not.
- On getting MRIs: I can't tell you when it's correct to order an MRI or not. All I can say is that both MRIs were hits for a torn meniscus, and both operations also bore out evidence of this. Both times it was also a textbook case of a torn meniscus based on my symptoms. Both
- Researching Surgeons: Yes, I researched both surgeons (and hospitals where the surgery was performed). In the US I had fewer options (Kaiser only), in the NL the specialist gave me a list of other specialists who I could get a second opinion from, should I want to.