Bit of a rant. So I go to OIP yesterday for a follow-up on my carpal tunnel. Been having pretty persistent pain with numbness and tingling despite having surgery last year, so I figured I should go see my doctor again. I go in, and when they call me back, the what I assume is a MA, begins asking me about my symptoms and immediately wants to send me to have an x-ray. Being a nurse for quite some time, Im sitting in the waiting area of radiology wondering why? Why am I being sent for an x-ray? Since when do they x-ray carpal tunnel? The wrist isnt injured, its sore. I had planned to ask the tech when they called my name, but I didnt get that far thankfully. I sat there for all of 5 minutes before the radiology tech came over to ask me about my symptoms and if they were new. I said no. Ive actually had them for quite some time, been diagnosed with carpal tunnel, and had surgery last year. She said yea, ok. Thats what I thought. Im not sure why she brought you here. We dont usually x-ray carpal tunnel. I was annoyed for a few reasons. One because the tech, MA, whatever she was, was rude and acted in such a rush to just get me somewhere so she could move on to the next person. Two, shes not a doctor. Granted, I dont know how things work at ortho offices, so I would be curious to know if its customary, without a doctors order, for non-physician personnel to send a patient for an x-ray without first consulting my physician. So who gave her the authority to make that call? Third, she isnt paying my insurance. So, I could have been slapped with a bill had they paired the wrong diagnosis with that procedure code, and been charged for a test I didnt even need. I didnt say anything to the girl. I really, and I mean really, try hard not to exercise my letters to people to gain authority. I try and treat you with respect since you are a medical professional yourself. But, if its not in your scope to order me an x-ray, then please dont. Leave that to the people who went to school to make that call. Just makes me realize how much of an advocate we all need to be for our own health and treatments despite the fact that it was something as simple as an x-ray. So many patients are told, and just do. And then they get the bill in the end and wonder why? Ask questions so you dont have to wonder why when you get your mail. Its kind of hard for anyone to fight when you sign that little pad every time you go in agreeing that you will pay for anything your insurance doesnt cover. -End Rant :)
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 23:08:15 +0000