That's what my 95 yr old grandpa always told me anyway but here's the glitch, I go in complaining about a pain in my left arm for what is commonly known as a torn rotater cuff. Told them I've had the pain for several months and only hurts when laying in bed a certain way or when lifting my arm straight up. So before seeing any doctor, without any warning they immediately place me on an EKG machine and get a bill for $750 plus the regular doctor bill. I know nothing is wrong with my heart and all the doc says is go for more tests and without warning he is done and walks out. That's it? I thought to myself.... what about my other concerns about aging...never been old before..... you know the dope on what is normal and what isn't....... and a normal reasonable time for a doctor visit? There's no one in the waiting room and no other patients there at this time. WTH! Talk about crappy care.... all they really care about is money and treating you like merchandise.

Thanks Grandpa, I'll take your advice and just say my prayers. God doesn't charge anything and you can take as long as you need for a visit.

Arm is getting better along with other minor stuff BTW.

Fortunately for us we can pick and choose our doctors.  Some, are great doctors but not so good on the business side and even worse with people skills.  And some are just bad doctors.  I lived in Brazil for a time and we didn't have a choice.  We got who we got and there wasn't a whole lot of incentive to be a good doctor.  Sorry for your bad experience and best of luck with your arm...and getting older.

I can go on about things I heard and witnessed but still in all most doctors today are not all that bright nor do you feel cared for.

unless something has been cut off I don't see the doc.  

 

I haven't been in the last 7 years.  ( they had to stitch my thumb back on lol ) and many years before.    I like to beleive that my immune system is rivaled only by Genghis Khan's great army

Unfortunately, I need a lot of doctor visits...  not always as many as they want however...  and they sure like to play careful with testing when they can bill the insurance.  I don't think I made the best insurance choice this year & have been surprised a few times already. 

I'm only a 2 weeks from having a kidney stone dealt with...  I stalled it for over a year...  my body chemistry just makes them.  The previous time I did the ESWL shock wave but wasn't as successful as previous times so THIS TIME the urologist threaded a cath all the way to the kidney (yes starting THERE) & zapped it with a laser.  I had the stent out a week ago.  Sorry, this is really TMI (Too Much Information). 

 

I told this doctor her wasn't one of my favorite people when he took the stent out.  He seemed disappointed.  He clearly has not been on the recieving end.  It occured to me the reason they want you to chamge into a silly "johnny" is so they know you are not armed. 

 

I'm actually doing better now.  Might just have to forgive him. 

it's a good thing some of these doctors aren't mechanics on our second gen 24 valves.  . I had a doc request a 1500 dollar cat scan on a little vein bulge I had that could have been checked it with  much less expensive ultra sound. They're in a hurry all the time and don't really take the time with you. Sheesh, just a simple doc visit is 245 bucks now a days

My perception about doctors have changed in recent years. Find doctors who like treating people, not all about the money.

I agree, get paid, but don't need to cut a fat hog everytime. Find specialist and private practice. Avoid the hospitals.

Most importantly, if you want to avoid them, enlighten yourself about being healthy and preventative things.

Can't always avoid the inevitable like injuries and genetics or other stuff. In that case, hope to have good insurance...

Our medical system is bloated and corrupt, even more so with govt. Intervention..

Doctor.... Doctor, I can't pee!

 

Well, how old are you?

 

90!

 

Well, you've peed enough!

 

It all depends on who and where. My oldest brother is a dermatologist and worked for a state hospital for a couple years. It was run by business people/unions, not by doctors and the care was sub par. Not to mention the workers are in unions and if they couldn't do there jobs or they were terrible, they couldn't be fired and were able to stay and work and be protected by the unions...bad atmosphere. Now my brother works private practice with all the right people in all the right places. I always consult my brother and mom (nurse) before going to see the doctor. It's good to have someone that knows your health history when diagnosing/testing so money isn't wasted.  

You said a magic word. Private...