Why do you avoid healthcare?

[ZERTErYNOthe]

I started to respond to a link on DU, and then realized that my response didn't matter, and canceled it. But it got me to thinking that maybe there was a better group, and that perhaps I should ask questions, instead of just complain.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016334372

Over many years I have avoided going to doctors for a number of reasons. First of all, avoidance. If you ignore a problem it will just go away, right?

Second, I really hate the whole process of calling providers, setting up appointments, all of that stuff. Anxiety is a huge problem exacerbated by some really mean and condescending people over the years (doctors and their supporting staff).

This is on top of all of the insurance bullshit. I spent the first 10 years of my career in Medical Billing as a software person doing claims (both electronic and paper, anyone remember those?) in an effort to maximize provider income (exploiting contracts, finding better ICD9 codes to use to maximize profit, etc). I've been out of that business for 20 years now, but it's clear that the situation hasn't improved.

So, here is a recent experience I had. Every couple of years my Primary Care doc schedules me for an echocardiogram. It's been done by a cardiologist in his practice. This year it was denied by insurance, so the appointment was cancelled. Why? Some vague insurance bullshit about the type of practice the cardiologist was billing from was no longer acceptable to them.

My first reaction was to just say, oh well, and go another year (I've already let it slide 6 months), that's easier, right? I have done this in the past when a refill for Diabetes medication suddenly went up by thousands (yes, you read that right). But I found out that I will be covered if I go to a specialist practice, so that is what I am doing. Instead of just an echo, I will get whole damn thing - stress test, various scans, lots of other really expensive tests, all because the insurance bureaucrat determined that a test recommended by my doctor wasn't necessary. And I am doing the same for my spouse, doubling their cost. I have had enough and will stand up for myself, no more avoidance.

Who knows, maybe it will be good in the end, especially if something is found.

But, this kind of bullshit is exactly why I avoid dealing with medical stuff unless I have no other choice.

Enough about me, why do you avoid healthcare?