denied medical care
By sdmoonchild
@sdmoonchild (731)
United States
November 23, 2009 12:45pm CST
Earlier today, I was supposed to have an appointment to see my doctor. I have major problems with my legs and we live in a small town. I went to the registration desk with my husband and was told by the clerk that I had to see the patient accounts office. So I did, and was informed by them that I could not see the doctor and keep my appointment, unless I had $50. Well, I didn't have the $50 and was told that I had to cancel my appointment with my doctor. I ended going to the emergency room because my legs were hurting so bad. The doctor at the hospital gave me a referral to another doctor not affiliated with the clinic. So eventually I will have help. My question to all of you is do you think the clinic acted ethically due to denial of medical care because of lack of money? I am the only one working right now, my husband is not able to work due to a back injury. I have excellent health insurance and I feel that that should be sufficient for the clinic. Yes, a year ago I was behind on a bill there due to other financial worries and they have gotten paid. The patient representative at the clinic told me I was a "bad credit risk" and they need $50 every time I make an appointment. I don't think this is a very good practice for the clinic especially considering that a lot of people are going through some rough times right now. We live in Yankton South Dakota, USA
1 person likes this
7 responses
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
23 Nov 09
This is happening a lot at clinics. Most people have to pay up-front before being seen by a doctor at most clinic. Doesn't your physician have his own private practice office? The clinic is the one who sets these rules not the attending physician.He just works through the clinic. Some of these doctors are volunteering their time at these clinics and get very little pay if any at all.
I really don't see why they did such a thing because you have insurance. Wouldn't the insurance have covered the visit or do you have to pay a co-pay? Hopefully your insurance company will look into the matter when they see you had to use the hospital ER to get medical attention. I thought the healthcare people would be clamoring to keep patients who had insurance after the healthcare bill got passed. You can file a complaint against the clinic and I would have a talk with the doctor who you have been seeing. He may not know what is going on or why you have changed to another doctor. I am glad you are going to get to see another doctor. Maybe things will change when the healthcare plan goes into affect. As for being ethical...I guess they have to follow the clinic rules or lose their job.
1 person likes this
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
23 Nov 09
They may have the legal right to do that to someone. Morally and ethically their behavior and attitude was reprehensible. You have medcal insurance and you're right that should have been enough for them. They put you in the position of having to use an emergency room, most of us know what kind of bill your insurance will get for that visit.
I'm glad the er dr helped you find an alternative place for treatment.
Feel better.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Nov 09
hi sdmoonchild I was born and raised in Newell South Dakota and am now in southern ca. so South dakota is doing that to sick
people. thats deplorable. I also feel that's not a good practice
as right now all over the US we are having very bad times
economically.If you have 
excellent health insurance yes that should be enough for the clinic.m]
excellent health insurance yes that should be enough for the clinic.m]
@alyssakenzie (462)
• United States
23 Nov 09
I don't think that is a very good practice at all though I do know several clinics that have started to collect money from patients before they are even seen. Since you have health insurance though they should have known that they were going to be paid something so they shouldn't require so much money before you can be seen. Like you I would be finding a new Doctor to go to and make sure the other one knew exactly why I had left.
1 person likes this
@mylosha (286)
• India
24 Nov 09
it is sadfull task yes nowadays medical treatment also turned as a barging market medical field is a very good money making ground now as doctors loss humanity and adapted to this money making world i supposed to see the 3 to 4 hospital now in a very narrow road it is implies the verge situation for the humanity try and work to withstand humanity amidst this crude world.
@Drsunny21 (556)
• India
23 Nov 09
No there should not be denial of medical care becuase of lack of money...tht`s worst...means tht people hve no humanity...Yes take money from the people who afford it to give but if the people cant afford the money and ur capable of treating people wthout money then medical care should be given wthout money...Its so sad to hear this...Take care
@dracoserpintenes (614)
• United States
23 Nov 09
my situation wasnt exactly like that it was my insurance from my old job had been cancelled and my baby was due for shots and i had to go get medicaid to get those shots because i didnt have 200 bucks for them right then and there. thankfully medicaid pays in full for anything standard to a well baby check up so i got him his shots in time. but things like this are sad and wrong because doctors pledge to the hypocratic oath which states they have a duty to help everyone but i have yet to see a private practice doctor that follows such an oath in truth.
