I am angry at my doctor over her insistence that I come in for a $237.00 office visit before she will write me orders for a follow-up blood test. Then, after the blood test, she requires another office visit at the same price, to discuss the results. I told her staff that this is ridiculous and that without the blood test, she has nothing concrete to discuss with me. If she wants me to come in so she can determine which tests to run - possibly beyond the thyroid follow-up - then she can look at them after they come in and call in other prescriptions without me being there.
I think this is gouging but I go to the doctor so seldom, I wonder if I'm just out of touch. Actually, I forgot to include that when I objected, I was told that since I am on a super high deductible HSA, maybe I would fall under the self pay policy which might be different. I think this is totally unethical and is part of the reason all our premiums are so high. I am in the process of checking out a concierge medical practice. It would be a win-win for me because I could deduct the retainer from my taxes as part of my deductible. Anyone here who cannot get insurance should google it and see if you have any offices like that in your city.

Make sure you have the doctor's office bill the insurance first. They have, no doubt, a discounted rate. When it comes back to you, you get the discount.

Is this a special thyroid doctor you're seeing? An ND or wholistic practioner? They often charge crazy high prices.

If it's a regular doctor, you're probably not going to get satisfactory treatment for thyroid issues anyway.

You can, in most states, order thyroid tests yourself through online blood testing sites like healthcheckusa.com and others. The thyroid panel you want is probably about $70 or so. They draw the blood through Lab Corp or other places all over the US.

You could get that blood test done and then go in and talk to your doctor. But like I mentioned before, most doctors are awful about thyroid. Find one that knows something above and beyond a run-of-a-mill MD.

I think most docs are pretty insistent that you come in once a year for a check-up. Whether it is of value or not, it is part of current Best Practices for docs. Some want to do tests before you come in, others while you're there. I've had a high deductible policy for several years and I always had negotiated rates. Most typical tests and the annual visit were mostly covered under my plan (you should probably check directly with your insurer to see what is covered for you - and it will vary by clinic).

If you do decide to switch....I lived in Houston till last spring. I got excellent care from 2 docs at the Medical Clinic of Houston (near Rice U) - one of them now a concierge doc. If you would like their names, please PM me and I'll be glad to share.

got your PM, Liz, thanks. This is not just a check up. She believes that my low thyroid caused the fluid around my heart that nearly killed me in November. My cardiologist disagrees but has no alternative theory beyond it being from some mysterious infection that can't be identified. She had me start on thyroid about a month ago and wants to see if my bloodwork shows improvement. I am with her on that, I just don't see why I need to pay twice for the same follow-up.

I'm trying to answer Nancy's questions but the forum tells me I need a post longer than ten characters. I promise, my fingers have no idea how to post a message that short. What do you suppose the problem is?

I guess I was focused on what to do if you end up firing your doctor. I think most new doctors would insist on a check up to start off (at least that's what I'm finding as I locate new docs following my move).

I have been on thyroid meds for several years and I need a 6 month blood levels check each year between full annual visits. My former docs would have me come in for a blood draw (a nurse, not doctor, visit) and mail me the results with any recommendations. It does seem very odd that your doctor is insisting on not one, but two, office visits when none is really necessary. Perhaps because your heart condition is an unusual thyroid symptom and she wants to see first hand how you are doing? Or....she's not busy enough.

You are absolutely right about her not being busy. My sister and I were discussing this just an hour or so ago. We take turns escorting our mother who has Alzheimers to this same doc, so she knows the office. It's possible that she wants to see me because of the heart issue but once should be enough in my opinion.

My doc requires payment for visits and blood tests. Luckily I have ok insurance currently, so it just costs me the co-pay, $30. But I went without insurance for years and it was about $150 a visit back then. I didn't go often. After a blood test (or any other kind of test) I can call the assistant for the results. If okay, she'll tell me. If not, she'll say I have to come in because the doctor needs a follow up visit with me. That will cost me again. Just to talk to the doctor. I agree, it's outrageous.

Sorry to go off at a tangent, but I want to rant about this:- In 2011 I had FOUR freakin' mammograms due to "problems with your records and trouble reading your x-rays". My left breast still hurts - just exaggerating. In the end I got an all-clear. In 2012, after my first mammo that year, my gynocologist's assistant told me I had to have a second one. I said "No!". She said, "Are you saying you are going against medical advice?" Shock, horror. I said "Yes. Your medical advice sucks. I had 4 freakin' mammograms last year for no good reason. I'm not going through that again. You'all have to get your act together!". I spoke directly to the radiologist. Told her the same thing. And eventually they got the correct records and gave me another all-clear but this time after one mammo, not four! What I learned from this is that it's okay to stand up to these people if you think they are torturing you for no good reason.

Good for you. I have never had one and will not. I believe they are harmful to breast tissue and to have so many routine ones exposes you to too much radiation over your late adult lifespan. I have had thermography and the tech said my breasts were the clearest she's ever seen. My doc gets very upset with me but I won't do it. We have pretty much NO cancer in our family. Our deaths come from heart disease.

If this is followup blood work, you shouldn't need another office visit BEFORE the bloodwork.

Oh... I wanted to mention. I believe preventative visits for physicals, well-woman exams and such are now FREE under the Affordable Care Act. Yes, even if you have an HSA or High deductible plan.

Were you typing your reply inside the quote? It doesn't count anything inside a quote as part of the message length.

They might be free to the person but the community/taxpayers are still paying.

I still think it's a good idea for us consumers to question the need for office visits as CallmeAnn is doing.

Yep, I just figured that out.
I'll edit it as needed.

Hi Ann,

$237.00 to visit a doctor and that's just so you can sit there and talk with them. Gosh! That’s a lot of money!

I haven't been to a doctor for 38 years so I had to ask my friends how much it costs here and they tell me the standard fee is 25.00 EUR which is about $34.00 and that's without insurance. So you're paying 6 or 7 times as much. Whichever way you look at it does seem like a lot of money.

Some people don't even earn that much in a week but it does seem like the medical system in the States is geared up to charge high fees for doing not a lot though I think the advice of others on the forum to order your tests privately and to see if your health insurance will cover it is probably a good starting point.

As for firing your doctor, well that's only a decision that you can make but I certainly would start looking around for a doctor that can adequately deal with the health concerns you might have and who understands the advantages of a low carb way of eating.

The bottom line is make sure you do the best for you.

Hope that helps,

Mark