Ear, Nose & Throat Community

I think my biggest health challenge is compliance....yes, even in my own case. I tell people every day what to do to help them get better, but I must admit that I have a difficult time following my own advice.

I am the first to admit that I "forget" to take medications on schedule. I have a difficult time following a healthy diet. When I lift something heavy, I often fail to do it correctly. I forget to use sunscreen or wear a hat. I don't stay as well-hydrated as I should - even though I know that drinking water is essential. And, I often reach for the salt shaker when I know that I shouldn't.

Perhaps our biggest barrier is ourselves....

Paying for it.
I work part time. My husbands work decided not to cover spouses if they were employed and could get insurance. At working 24 hrs a week, I did qualify for insurance but did not qualify for the health savings account, and part of that program was getting incentive money from healthy behaviors- you could earn up to $800. The deductable is $1800. If I went to 30 hrs a week though, I would qualify, so I did. Several weeks later I developed some severe muscle pain in my shoulder and right arm, that was eventually determined to be from my desk job. I pretty much had to pay out of pocket for physical therapy to treat that , and it still did not help. Now, I am blessed in that this did not bankrupt my family, but it still keeps us from saving money for our future, etc. Did I mention that my husband and daughter have to meet a different deductable? And that she had a hospitalization that required 2 ambulence rides that were not covered?
I find it frustrating that I work more hours so I can afford my health care, then have complications from my job that make me utilize it, and it still puts us in finacial difficulty.

The Catch 22 of health care! Excellent point. I encounter people every day in my practice that are in the same dilemma. One doctor in our practice is even leaving to go into private practice again so SHE can set the prices for her care, and SHE can determine whether she charges for care or just gives it away for free. She is not a doctor just in for the money, and is embarrassed at the cost of basic medical care.

Personally, I have my own way of helping needy patients. I "down code" (charge a lower billing code), "forget" to charge for back office lab tests or supplies, use generic medications when I can and direct patients to the less-expensive pharmacies, provide samples (if we haven them), see the extra sibling who may also be ill for free, and do phone medicine (currently unbillable) when the situations permits.

I don't like paying $95 per hour to have my car worked on either....

I agree- I talk to patients all the time who just opt out of getting medical treatment because of cost, and they don't tell the doctor why. they are suprised when I suggest they do so- many doctors are kind enough, like you, to help out the best they can. I tell them, better they understand what is going on finacially than they just think you are non-compliant, and don't care.

We all talk about our health challenges, but these are really nothing compared to this little boy....

http://www.supportforotto.com/Site/HOME_PAGE.html
http://granitebaypt.com/detail/155025.html

This is why I fought for the health insurance reform. I am disabled from Lupus, Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the entire Lumbar area and now have arthritis of the spine. I also have S-I joint dysfunction and feel like I am just existing due to the limitations put on pain management docs by my insurance company (and others in my area of NY (upstate)). I am 54 and been disabled for 7 years. What scares me is that many in my family live well into their 80'or 90's. I am struggling to make meals and clean up after myself. It is very hard to get out and about. I am working very hard to stay independent but I need the pain management procedures in order to do that as i am not able to tolerate strong pain meds.

I eat well but exercising creates swelling. I used to be very active and athletic so this has been a total change of life for me. It has been devastating. I would really rather be back teaching health and food and nutrition to my 6th graders!

Insurance keeps making it harder and i am frustrated. I am glad for the new health insurance reform and the negativity surrounding it does not allow the new things coming into play this year make the news. The biggie is the availability of insurance for the chronically ill who have been denied insurance to be eligible for temporary insurance throught their states. This info is available at The Lupus Foundation website. it is also accessible on the WebMd lupus exchange under the Expert column as the doc there posted about it! VERY important to know..spread this to all you might know could use it!

Marilyn