Finding an HMO doctor

[AnnetteP]

I am at my wits end trying to find a new cardiologist. Like most of you, I have been misdiagnosed and mistreated by more cardiologist than not. (I’ll write my story down one day, I am just too sad to do it now.) Last year I finally went into Class IV heart failure and went into the hospital only to be told by a cardiologist in my EP’s group that nothing was wrong with me. After speaking with Lisa, I returned to the hospital and demanded they find out what was going on. They tried to kick me out three days later but I threw a fit and they finally did an echo and found out I was very sick. I had a GREAT surgeon that did my myectomy and valve replacement later that month. But I fired the cardiology team I had been seeing (It was an ugly scene, with me screaming and saying the f-word probably more than I should have. Though, they did almost let me die). I now monitor my Coumadin levels with my own machine.

Unfortunately, the energy I had after my myectomy is starting to fade again and I have to find a new cardiologist to find out what is going on. I also need to get my ICD checked. I called my HMO insurance company for help; but they can only give me the names of doctors, not if they know anything about HCM. I started cold-calling doctors and of course all I am getting from the office staff is “of course he can treat that, he is a board certified cardiologist!” Arrrrgggg. That is after having to explain to staff what HCM is because “well, I never heard of that”.

Lisa was very helpful in giving me names of some doctors at Mayo here in Jacksonville, FL; but they want $3500 up front before they will see me (do not accept my insurance).

I am at a loss as to what to do. I would cry; but that just makes my chest hurt…

I know there is probably no solution to my problem. I think I just needed to vent to people that would understand. Thanks for reading.

Annette

[Bucky]

Hi Annette:

I too have been searching for a Cardiologist with my HMO who might know something about HCM. I got the same answer you did...."Why Certainly, any of our doctors can treat what ever you call that thing you have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are cardiologists.....

Well, I liken it to the BMW mechanic working on a Chevy...If he doesn't work on Chevy's all day....he probably doesn't know all the little tricks he needs to know.

Best of Luck.....

Isn't it nice to live in a country where the answer to Health Care Issues and provider lack of knowledge is "Best of Luck". Ok, I also lived in South America for a number of years so I really know the outer limits of bad or no health care. It just that.........we (the US of A) are capable of being so much better at this than we are.

Don't get me wrong I am a died in the wool Patriot, even served during Viet Nam...but something has gone way off track here.....

bucky.

[gfox42]

I think most of us have faced problems like this, and I certainly sympathize. There's no easy way to a solution.

I don't know a single person in Jacksonville, but can recommend a very competent cardiologist in Tampa, if you're willing to make the drive. Let me know if you want his info. I'm sure that others can recommend cardiologists elsewhere in Florida; maybe some are closer to you.


Gordon

[Annie S.]

I don't know how much help this will be or what your situation is but I can tell you what I did.

When I was diagnosed last year I was with an HMO and felt that I wasn't getting the care I needed, my doctor wasn't really listening to me and downplayed my symptoms. At my job, each year, we have open enrollment when you can change your health insurance and when that time came I switched. Now I can choose from a larger list of providers and go almost anywhere I want. It is a bit more expensive, but I think it'll be better for me in the long run.

I don't know if this is a possibility for you but maybe you could look into changing your insurance. Just a thought.

Hope this helps.

Annie

[AnnetteP]

Thanks for joining me in my pity-party and thank you very much for the suggestions. I checked out the PPO at my office; but I am on the family plan and it would be over $500 more a month. Not going to happen right now. I am going on vacation for a week in the FL keys and will contact my HMO when I get back about seeing someone out of the area. Can’t hurt.

Thanks again,
Annette