Biggest bitch I've wanted to make in a loooong time.

[Saartje]

Okay, on top of everything else that's happened today (none of it too bad, but it adds up), I wanted to finally make a doctor's appointment. I need a checkup, and I need to do something about the wrist pain I've been having for the last year. However, I don't have a physician in Illinois, because I got pregnant almost immediately after we moved here, so I needed an OB.

So I got out the doctors my dentist had recommended to me. Checked my insurance's web site... none are covered. OK, check the list of Family Practice doctors in Chicago magazine's Top Doctors issue... not covered.

So I went to see how much the co-pay is for an out-of-network doctor, because when I signed up for this plan, it was $20 for an in-network doctor and $30 for an out-of-network doctor. Well, apparently something changed when we moved from Arkansas to Illinois, because now out-of-network doctors aren't covered at all! Grrrrrr... I want to scream. I did scream, actually. I can't believe neither DH nor I noticed this when we moved, because I never would have signed up for a plan that didn't cover any doctor that I damn well want to see.

So my wrist still hurts and burns. I don't have a doctor's appointment. I do have a dentist appointment. And I can't even go out and treat myself to an ice cream sundae, or even a nice long walk, or even go pick up the prescription I called in to be filled last night, because I was Getting Things Done today and put a turkey in the oven to roast. It won't be done for a minimum of another three hours.

Oh, and it seems DH won't be home to eat supper with me, either. Apparently his PhD adviser has coopted him and a few other students to come play Risk. Great, honey.

Oh, and let me add: I have no idea how to find a doctor I have a chance of liking. I can't get a recommendation from my old physician because he doesn't know anyone in this state. I'm not going to pick a physician randomly from the list of covered providers, because the last time I did that I was treated so badly by the doctor in question I walked out mid-appointment. (Don't yell at a pregnant woman with the flu if you want to get paid.) And no one I know here is on the same insurance we are -- the few who were (DH's coworkers) live out in the suburbs, and the last time we asked them for recommendations, they recommended people a good hour's drive from us. Help!

[psophia17]

Yikes - I hate having to find medical professionals when I don't have anyone to refer me to someone good. It took almost two years of picking from the list my insurance gave me before I was happy the last time I moved to a new area.

I wish I knew someone in Illinois to ask for you, but I don't - maybe someone else on the boards does, though? Also, depending on which insurance company you have, they might have a nurse on staff who could help you out, and possibly direct you to a good dr. in your area. I had Aetna HMO for a while, and it was the nurse's advice that helped me finally find a doctor I liked.

In the meantime, what is your wrist pain? Is it like carpal tunnel? If yes, and you don't already have some wrist supports for while you sleep (and type), definitely get some. Not the Ace bandage type ones that are flexible all over, the ones with a rigid "plate" to hold all the carpal bones steady.

Hope your day gets better, and enjoy your turkey dinner!

[Saartje]

Aetna HMO is what I have, too. I already talked to someone on the phone. They couldn't help me, just kept repeating the terms of the plan over and over when I was saying, "How can I find a physician I like and can trust? Is there anyone who can give me a recommendation?" Which is part of why I got so very frustrated.

And the wrist pain is pregnancy-related, not carpal tunnel. It's still bothering me because DS is such a big, heavy baby. It was getting better for a while, because I was having DH be the one to pick him up nearly all the time, but then DH had to travel for a week, and it got much worse because I had to pick up DS myself that whole time. The only things that help are ibuprofen and rest, and there's a limit to how much I can use/achieve of either.

Thanks for trying, though. :)

[wagner36]

Hello! I'm not sure what kind of insurance you have, but if it is an HMO and you live in the city and want a dr. nearby, good luck. Seriously, I was SHOCKED when we moved to Chicago - before we moved I picked my firm's HMO, because in Minneapolis, everyone took the HMO insurance and the HMO's were really great. So, before we got here, I picked some random doctor (at the ghetto-iest hospital in the world, but I didn't know that then, since we didn't live here) and had to stick it out for an entire year until we could switch to the PPO.

Most of my colleagues at work have HMO until they start contemplating children, then switch to the PPO (at 600 a month, might I add, for family) when the want to have kids, since it is pretty hard to find a dr. that delivers at Northwestern if you have the HMO.

Also, most good peds in the city don't take the BCBS HMO either, which I find really weird.

I forgot exactly where you live the city, but a friend at work has a OB in Naperville with BCBS HMO that she LOVES! I'd be happy to get the name and ask around for you a little bit. Honestly, though, I find that most people in the city who want really good medical care try to switch if possible.

I found it really frustrating too, since I was used to MUCH higher standards in Minnneapolis.

[wagner36]

I had the wrist thing too - De Quervains Tenditis, I think it was called. My wrist guy called it the "baby-carrying disease." It went away after awhile and I'm all recovered from that now. I LOVE my wrist guy - and the physical therapists are right in the office to make the braces on site.

Email me through boards if you want his contact info - he's by Northwestern too. I LOVE him - and he's handsome! He was one of those doctors who you immediately have confidence in and trust for......

I would post it, but I don't have the information here at work, for some odd reason....

[C99]

I have a PPO and I still think it's very hard to find doctors I like and trust in a new city -- both here in Chicago and in San Francisco when I lived out there. Actually, it was harder for me to find good doctors in SF because I had fewer people to ask for recommendations. I went through 3 GPs in the 4 years I lived there.

[new_mommy25]

Oh my goodness, that really SUCKS! I am so, so sorry you have to deal with that.

On Mothering.com there is a forum dedicated to finding a doctor.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=167

Also on MDC is the finding your tribe, tribal areas forum. When I moved to Hawaii I knew NOBODY with kids and just stumbled onto that forum. I went to a playgroup and met a lot of great mom's and some are now my closest friends. You can try posting there to see if there is anyone in your area with a doc recommendation. here is the Illinois link.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=86

Good luck!! And I would call your DH and tell him that you slaved all day on the turkey and he better to come home and eat it with his family!

[tippy]

Saartje,

This is a longshot because I don't know if there is a "cutoff" but you can make changes to your benefits if there is a "life changing" situation. I believe that includes: birth, death and marriage. I am not sure if it would include the change of plans but I do know you can do things like increase the amount on your FSA etc...It might be worth a quick phone call just to make sure. Other than that I know that you can look up some info on line about potential Doctors. If they have a specialty I usually look up that organization for example the American Society of ......You can check where they went to school and when they graduated. You can also check to see if they have had any complaints filed against them for malpractice. Sorry that you are in such a sucky situation. Good Luck

Teva
Mom to AJ born 1-8-03

[dowlinal]

I have no advice for you - just sympathy. I went through a simliar experience when I needed a fertily specialist - a period I now refer to as HMO hell. Good luck!!

[calebsmama03]

Tara -
I wonder if it's the same guy I saw in college to have wrist surgery done? He was by NW and his therapists were right in the office too. Is your doc Dr. Nagle (Nagel??) If so, I'd second him. If not, then there are 2 great wrist guys near NW and hopefully one of them will be on your insurance plan!
Lynne
Mommy to Caleb 3/3/03
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif[/img][/url]
Oh my!! #2 5/05

[calebsmama03]

Hmm. What about calling the local hospital and talking to a few nurses who work the general care type floors? My mom was a nurse and they seem to have a good handle on which docs are good to work with, what their bedside manner is, etc. Also, I wonder if any docs do a “meet and greet” apt? I did this with my midwife and with DS’s ped. It’s usually just a 5 minute thing, but it’s better than being in the office “exposed” and meeting for the first time!
Good luck – I know how frustrating it is! I’ve lived in Denver for 6 years and have yet to find a doc (family doc) that I really like!

Lynne
Mommy to Caleb 3/3/03
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif[/img][/url]
Oh my!! #2 5/05