MEMO
TO: HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES
RE: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!
FROM: A DISSATISFIED CONSUMER
Yeah, like this will get their attention!
My employer called me yesterday evening (we've got a great relationship - mutual admiration society, etc., and we communicate openly with each other). Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pennsylvania, the money-grubbing scoundrels, upped the insurance premiums 32% a month - with no prior notice. So, here's the third increase in as many years, which my employer has absorbed - at least until we can do something else. Hence, we're getting quotes from other carriers and, since we're all independent contractors, other groups. Virtually every quote I've gotten has been about 50% per month less FOR THE SAME COVERAGE!!!!! When I questioned this, I was told that being in a group is a disadvantage because insurance companies INCREASE premiums to cover (get this) WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE, HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, STROKE, ARTHRITIS, AND OTHER CHRONIC CONDITIONS. That's the majority of the population! So, the hunt for coverage continues, and I think I've narrowed the field sufficiently and will simply go with the HMO Plan offered by the money-grubbers at Blue Shield.
BTW: The CEO is JOE FRICK. I worked for him when he was a nice guy, but that's ancient history.
NEXT: AETNA has gone mad! These pencil-pushing bean-counters have now told doctors that they MAY NOT USE PROPOFOL (a strong sedation) for COLONOSCOPIES! It will not be paid for. Their claim is that the discomfort is minimal, and strong sedation is not necessary. So, would they like a garden hose with a camera passed up their anal orifices? This is not a step towards controlling medication costs. IT'S A WAY TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF COLONOSCOPIES! Let's face it, IF I were to allow myself the risk of that procedure, I'd want to be lights-out, knocked out, and with a case of amnesia - only provided by propofol. Propofol is NOT expensive - it's a generic. The issue isn't over the drug - it's over the procedure.
So, my memo is to the greedy insurance companies: Enjoy your fat profits at our expense. You will soon price yourselves so far out of reach, that no one will have health insurance, and you will cease to exist. Is this what you want?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
MANNERS?????????????
Manners? YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!
This has irritated me for some time, and it’s time I got it off my chest – maybe some of you will agree. To those who do not, no apologies will be offered.
Since when did it become acceptable business/professional etiquette to address a FULLY GROWN, OBVIOUSLY BORDERLINE SENIOR ADULT by his/her first name?
Case in point: I went to see a surgeon last week because the inevitable is looming in my future – a knee replacement. I walked into the orthopedic practice, a highly recommended practice, to find the waiting room jammed with people, 5 “check-in” desks, with only TWO of them staffed, and a line just for me to sign a piece of paper to let some phantom worker to know of my arrival.
“STEPHANIE!” I approached the desk with insurance card and copay in hand, wondering if I were going to the Principal’s Office. “Uh, did you mean “Miss Patterson?” “Yeah, Stephanie.” Well, I knew I wasn’t going to get very far with this kid. So I handed over my insurance card and check and waited to have the card and receipt returned. “Have a seat.”
Three minutes later.
“STEFANYA!” I didn’t look up. That’s NOT my name. “STEFANYA!” “Did you mean “STEPHANIE PATTERSON?” “No, “STEFANYA.”
Two minutes later.
“STEPHANIE!” “I’m Stephanie Patterson.” “Yeah – Stephanie. Come with me.”
I was escorted (running actually, with bad knee and all) down the hall and was shown into an exam room, only to have the door unceremoniously slammed. Okay, real good first impression.
Two minutes later.
A gentle knock. “Miss Patterson?” Was I dreaming? The young resident who does the scut work for the surgeon came in and took a history and gave me my preliminary exam.
Two minutes later.
“Miss Patterson? Hi, I’m Dr. Cut-up (fictional name, okay?).” He reviewed my x-rays, drew diagrams, performed his exam, pronounced my sentence, along with a few options, shook hands, and wished me a good day.
Back in the “Check-Out Area.” No – it wasn’t K-Mart.
5 desks – ONE person working. I handed the lady my paperwork. “Stephanie – do you need another appointment?”
“No thanks, Doris. I’m to call in a few months.” I give up - they won. Time to give them a dose of their own medicine. Doris, needless to say, was not very pleased that a patient had the nerve to use her first name.
Interesting – the doctors, from two different generations, addressed me as an adult of 58 years old, while the staff, young enough to be my children, took it upon themselves to use my first name.
This is not only a doctor’s office experience, but it happens on the phone for business calls. “Is Stephanie there?” My sarcastic response is, “This is Miss Patterson.” Silence………… “Oh, is this Stephanie Patterson?” “Right the first time.” “Okay, Stephanie,” I’m calling about…..” “Uh, You’re speaking with Miss Patterson. What is the nature of your call please?” Silence….. “I’m looking for Stephanie.” Finally I give up, tell the person calling that he/she has reached the correct person, but being an adult, I only allow friends, family, and my colleagues at work to use my first name – or others to whom I give permission.
This is how I was raised – and most civilized people in prior generations: Adults are addressed by their surnames and a title. I was afforded this courtesy even by some of my high school teachers and ALL of my college teachers.
What happened?
This has irritated me for some time, and it’s time I got it off my chest – maybe some of you will agree. To those who do not, no apologies will be offered.
Since when did it become acceptable business/professional etiquette to address a FULLY GROWN, OBVIOUSLY BORDERLINE SENIOR ADULT by his/her first name?
Case in point: I went to see a surgeon last week because the inevitable is looming in my future – a knee replacement. I walked into the orthopedic practice, a highly recommended practice, to find the waiting room jammed with people, 5 “check-in” desks, with only TWO of them staffed, and a line just for me to sign a piece of paper to let some phantom worker to know of my arrival.
“STEPHANIE!” I approached the desk with insurance card and copay in hand, wondering if I were going to the Principal’s Office. “Uh, did you mean “Miss Patterson?” “Yeah, Stephanie.” Well, I knew I wasn’t going to get very far with this kid. So I handed over my insurance card and check and waited to have the card and receipt returned. “Have a seat.”
Three minutes later.
“STEFANYA!” I didn’t look up. That’s NOT my name. “STEFANYA!” “Did you mean “STEPHANIE PATTERSON?” “No, “STEFANYA.”
Two minutes later.
“STEPHANIE!” “I’m Stephanie Patterson.” “Yeah – Stephanie. Come with me.”
I was escorted (running actually, with bad knee and all) down the hall and was shown into an exam room, only to have the door unceremoniously slammed. Okay, real good first impression.
Two minutes later.
A gentle knock. “Miss Patterson?” Was I dreaming? The young resident who does the scut work for the surgeon came in and took a history and gave me my preliminary exam.
Two minutes later.
“Miss Patterson? Hi, I’m Dr. Cut-up (fictional name, okay?).” He reviewed my x-rays, drew diagrams, performed his exam, pronounced my sentence, along with a few options, shook hands, and wished me a good day.
Back in the “Check-Out Area.” No – it wasn’t K-Mart.
5 desks – ONE person working. I handed the lady my paperwork. “Stephanie – do you need another appointment?”
“No thanks, Doris. I’m to call in a few months.” I give up - they won. Time to give them a dose of their own medicine. Doris, needless to say, was not very pleased that a patient had the nerve to use her first name.
Interesting – the doctors, from two different generations, addressed me as an adult of 58 years old, while the staff, young enough to be my children, took it upon themselves to use my first name.
This is not only a doctor’s office experience, but it happens on the phone for business calls. “Is Stephanie there?” My sarcastic response is, “This is Miss Patterson.” Silence………… “Oh, is this Stephanie Patterson?” “Right the first time.” “Okay, Stephanie,” I’m calling about…..” “Uh, You’re speaking with Miss Patterson. What is the nature of your call please?” Silence….. “I’m looking for Stephanie.” Finally I give up, tell the person calling that he/she has reached the correct person, but being an adult, I only allow friends, family, and my colleagues at work to use my first name – or others to whom I give permission.
This is how I was raised – and most civilized people in prior generations: Adults are addressed by their surnames and a title. I was afforded this courtesy even by some of my high school teachers and ALL of my college teachers.
What happened?
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