Urgent Scare

Well what next, is the thought you are afraid to have when you are unemployed and uninsured. The following saga started on the 1st Wednesday in March when I went to the Free Clinic to get new prescriptions for a chronic condition millions of Americans have called high blood pressure caused by diabetes. The bad news, I needed blood work that runs between $200 and $300 per occurrence and the medical community feels you should have this 3-4 times per year.

The good news, although I had been running out of one of my high blood pressure meds for a few weeks, I had spaced them every other day, and then was completely out for a few days, my blood pressure was on the low side of normal. Awesome! So after having my blood pressure taken several times over a span of 20 minutes, both sitting and standing, I was told we would wait two weeks and check again before deciding if I could remove the drug from my regimen.

They were able to take my blood there, which was a lengthy and painful process resulting in a hematoma in my right elbow. So now back again in two weeks for follow up.

At the follow up my blood pressure was still good and I gained no weight nor did I have edema. So off I go thinking they have sent prescriptions to my pharmacy. Boy was I wrong!

I spent several days trying to reach Dr Scott Erickson from the Marshfield Clinic since that is whom I had seen at the Free Clinic. First I was told he would return my call in the afternoon and then when I checked after 3, I was told he returns calls after seeing patients. The next day I called and was again put off but in the afternoon was told that he could now not prescribe till he was back in the Free Clinic. That would be fine except they are only open two days a month.

I asked for an appointment with Dr Erickson and was told an appointment secretary would call. Of course she never did. Then I tried the nurse line to see if an on call doctor could prescribe; that was a no go as well. I talked with the pharmacy and and they gave me a few pills to get me through this period.

Finally I went to Urgent Med at the Marshfield Clinic where I made it plain I just needed a doctor or nurse practitioner to prescribe for me. I was not sick nor bleeding, just needed the same meds I have taken for years. So after waiting quite a while I was escorted back to room and had blood pressure taken, a brief history, and a conversation about allergies (all of which I had done just weeks before at the Free Clinic for Dr Erickson.) I also handed over my bag of all the prescription bottles along with the over the counter products I take on a daily basis. This was a matter of duplicating the same prescriptions, nothing more based on my blood work which I also had on hand.

Finally in walks Dr Thomas Dougherty who is confused because my name is more commonly a man's name so when I confirm who I am throws his hand up in what can only be described as similar to a Nazi salute. He proceeds to go over the history and tells me he can only prescribe for one month and make an appointment to see a doctor.

When I suggest that he can't be serious about going to see a third doctor he gets weird. He starts saying "well, then I am out of here. . . I am not here to monitor your chronic condition." I am telling him that I will be going back home and he is just really off and running. I also tell him I have been taking the same things for years without changes. Finally he leaves and returns with a prescription for one month of each pill. Grrrr, some I didn't even need but there was no talking to him. He also hands me a referral for an appointment.

Frankly after seeing the bill for this fiasco, I can't afford another appointment with anyone associated with the Marshfield Clinic. Being a monopoly is sure expensive for the patients!

Currently I am protesting this bill and trying to see if Community Care can do anything for me at this late date. (To be continued . . .