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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
        
(Message started by: mynm156 on Jul 27th, 2006, 4:17pm)
Title: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by mynm156 on Jul 27th, 2006, 4:17pm
Hi Gang,
This may seem strange to some of you but as I am on state insurance I REALLY need to cover my A$$ on this as I will be continuing to search for a neuro.  My current PCP is awesome but admits that he is out of his league on this and is uncomfortable trying to manage this with me.  So tell me what you think if any of you have done this before tell me about your experence in doing it. I realize that we have all probably made th choice to leave a doctor for another and not done this but with the state insurance I have to document document document.
After three months of attempting to work with you for a commitment to manage my Cluster Headaches I feel that I can no longer justify utilizing your services. You have refused to make that commitment and thereby forced me to utilize two physicians to manage this chronic issue. You have not demonstrated to me that you possess a thorough enough knowledge of my disorder or my personal case. Furthermore, on several occasions calls from my primary care doctor and me have gone without a response from your office. All that being said, I can see no logical reason to continue to pay you and another Doctor, take double the time from schooling and work schedules in order to have my cluster headaches managed. Therefore, as of this time, effective immediately, your services are no longer required and I am terminating you as my Neurologist. I request that a copy of my file be given to my referring physician’s office as soon as possible.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by seasonalboomer on Jul 27th, 2006, 4:32pm

on 07/27/06 at 16:17:56, mynm156 wrote:
Hi Gang,
This may seem strange to some of you but as I am on state insurance I REALLY need to cover my A$$ on this as I will be continuing to search for a neuro.  My current PCP is awesome but admits that he is out of his league on this and is uncomfortable trying to manage this with me.  So tell me what you think if any of you have done this before tell me about your experence in doing it. I realize that we have all probably made th choice to leave a doctor for another and not done this but with the state insurance I have to document document document.
After three months of attempting to work with you for a commitment to manage my Cluster Headaches I feel that I can no longer justify utilizing your services. You have refused to make that commitment and thereby forced me to utilize two physicians to manage this chronic issue. You have not demonstrated to me that you possess a thorough enough knowledge of my disorder or my personal case. Furthermore, on several occasions calls from my primary care doctor and me have gone without a response from your office. All that being said, I can see no logical reason to continue to pay you and another Doctor, take double the time from schooling and work schedules in order to have my cluster headaches managed. Therefore, as of this time, effective immediately, your services are no longer required and I am terminating you as my Neurologist. I request that a copy of my file be given to my referring physician’s office as soon as possible.


My policy is to "Never burn a bridge" -- even if it is rickety and couldn't support a bicycle.

You could simply tell them:

"I have an opportunity to have another neurologist take a look at my case for a second opinion. Please send a copy of my file to __________________.

Grin and bear it.


Scott
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by marlinsfan on Jul 27th, 2006, 5:00pm
I disagree with Scott. If you feel so strongly about your neuro, let him have it. I'd prefer to burn the rickety bridge and build a newer, better one in its place.

I would, however, make a chage to the last sentence. Take out ASAP and give him a specific date for him to send your files to your new doc.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by mynm156 on Jul 27th, 2006, 5:15pm

on 07/27/06 at 16:32:26, seasonalboomer wrote:
My policy is to "Never burn a bridge" -- even if it is rickety and couldn't support a bicycle.

You could simply tell them:

"I have an opportunity to have another neurologist take a look at my case for a second opinion. Please send a copy of my file to __________________.
Grin and bear it.
Scott


Scott, He SUX and I dont want to beat around the bush with him! He is dividing the medications between himself and my PCP.  I had to fight with him over imitrex.  He would not give me an samples because they too expensive?????  DUH!  Why do you think I asked for them.  He obviously to me has no clue what to do about my case and just does not seem to care.  He has put me on medications that are not normally covered by my insurance however, if he would provide the medical necessity to my insurance they would pay for it. He refuses to do this.  What the F?!  I would not use him again if he were the last neuro in the world.  I appreciate your idea I try not to be a A$$ but in this case I think that it is the way it has to be.  

GOOD VIBES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

MYNM156
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by thomas on Jul 27th, 2006, 5:55pm

on 07/27/06 at 16:32:26, seasonalboomer wrote:
My policy is to "Never burn a bridge" -- even if it is rickety and couldn't support a bicycle.

You could simply tell them:

"I have an opportunity to have another neurologist take a look at my case for a second opinion. Please send a copy of my file to __________________.

Grin and bear it.


Scott



I'm with Scott on this one, the above is not beating around the bush, it is concise and to the point.  Give a date with that, and you will probably get results, piss the guy off and your records might become "lost".  Or you will be black balled in the neuro circle in your area.  Just tell him you found a different doc and you are moving on.  No explaination unless he asks for it.  
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 27th, 2006, 6:13pm
I agree with Scott and Thomas. Just tell him you want your records sent to Dr. X. I wouldn't even tell him why - if he wants to know - let him call YOU, but don't too much in writing that can come back to bite you in the rear.

Good luck..

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by Charlotte on Jul 27th, 2006, 6:33pm
I'm with Scott on the simple approach.  Humans are vindictive, and you may end up in an emergency room sometime with that dr.  Please be minimal in your words.  You don't want to be defenseless & at the mercy of someone who has a grudge.

Charlotte
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by mynm156 on Jul 27th, 2006, 8:22pm
I can see your points but it is not really the Doctor that I am worried about per say. It is the Insurance. Being on the States insurance here, I have to at least explain to them in detail why I need to change from this person. After rethinking and reading these responses, the insurance company needs this letter not the Doctor. I know that they will file a grievance on my behalf but that it just their policy. I am glad that I posted this first for review BEFORE I sent it. Hahahahahaha if you had not guessed I had another follow up with him today that just made me want to STRANGLE HIM!!!!  

Thanks Fam for the Luv and guidance,

mynm156

PS: I do believe with every fiber in me that some doctors need to know that they have been FIRED!  They are not Gods and I think that you might give them more power or reach than they will ever REALLY have.  I have worked in Healthcare for TOO MANY YEARS and in an area like Phoenix where there are way too many neurologists they dont know each other and they are competetive besides if they share any information on a patient without consent that can get them in a kind of trouble they dont want.  Most would just careless.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by georgej on Jul 27th, 2006, 8:27pm

on 07/27/06 at 18:33:49, Charlotte wrote:
I'm with Scott on the simple approach.  Humans are vindictive, and you may end up in an emergency room sometime with that dr.  Please be minimal in your words.  You don't want to be defenseless & at the mercy of someone who has a grudge.

Charlotte


I respectfully agree with Charlotte and the others.  No sense in shooting yourself in the foot.  The major issue here is that you receive the best possible care.  

--Not that it wouldn't be immensely satisfying to hang a zinger on your neuro (who sounds as if he ought to go to work everyday with a red rubber nose and big flat shoes instead of his phony white coat)--

It's sad, though...

How did the quacks and pillrollers ever get so much power over us?  To the point where we have to be careful what we say, lest they withhold the treatments and medications we need?  They're our employees, for chrissake.  We ought to be able to fire them offhand if they consistently act like screwups.

Maybe it's the sheer size of the medical megalith--twenty percent of the gross national product in the US.  Lots of cash makes for lots of power.

Best regards,

George
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by TimJohnson on Jul 27th, 2006, 10:38pm

on 07/27/06 at 20:22:41, mynm156 wrote:
I can see your points but it is not really the Doctor that I am worried about per say. It is the Insurance. Being on the States insurance here, I have to at least explain to them in detail why I need to change from this person. After rethinking and reading these responses, the insurance company needs this letter not the Doctor. I know that they will file a grievance on my behalf but that it just their policy. I am glad that I posted this first for review BEFORE I sent it. Hahahahahaha if you had not guessed I had another follow up with him today that just made me want to STRANGLE HIM!!!!  

Thanks Fam for the Luv and guidance,

mynm156

PS: I do believe with every fiber in me that some doctors need to know that they have been FIRED!  They are not Gods and I think that you might give them more power or reach than they will ever REALLY have.  I have worked in Healthcare for TOO MANY YEARS and in an area like Phoenix where there are way too many neurologists they dont know each other and they are competetive besides if they share any information on a patient without consent that can get them in a kind of trouble they dont want.  Most would just careless.



Remember the insurance company cannot practice medicine.  Not only is it inappropirate it is criminal.  Is there a formulary you can use through the state that it might be easier for you to get your meds?  The doc might not be getting paid what he charges even though he agreed to the state rates when he signed the contract.  Its unfornuate, but thats how it goes sometimes.  I agree with the others regarding your neuro.  Just tell them you need your records for a second opinion and move on.  Its easier and you probably will run into him again.  Remember its a small world.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by sailpappy on Jul 27th, 2006, 11:15pm
;;D ;;D Finding a Neurologist that is willing to work with you in an educated manner is not always the easiest thing to do. Most Doctors realize their limitations and if you’re armed with proven research or information most will be empathetic.
      I would just quit the Doctor without giving rise to him labeling you a "Difficult Patient" Move on to who ever you feel comfortable with, My Neurologist was a wonderful Doctor, yet I quit him because I wanted to be totally Drug Free and even though he didn't agree that it was the best move on my part we parted in a mutual respect situation and I know I could call on him anytime in the future!     JMHO   Pappy
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by MJ on Jul 27th, 2006, 11:44pm

Mynm

Just yesterday had to get copies of my wifes medical records from her neurologist for some new insurance policies. She had to set it up and transfrer the records to insurance.

Just called docs office and said we needed them. They charged 60.00 to make copies next day picked them up herself and thats that.
Any troubles just call the AZ state or county board of med examiners. My mother used to work there and they love uncompliant docs.

As far as state insurance they should be allright with wanting another opinion its to their benefit as well.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by floridian on Jul 28th, 2006, 11:00am

on 07/27/06 at 23:44:28, MJ wrote:
They charged 60.00 to make copies next day picked them up herself and thats that.


Welcome to the new corporate world, where you don't own your own medical records!! Even if a doc loses a patient, a secondary profit center can be created ... charge them for leaving!
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by kevinpix on Jul 29th, 2006, 1:04am
I with Charlotte on this one.  You never know, the doctors could be on "We Doctors" web site sharing stories of how NOT to fire a doctor.  Just a jest, but we really don't know, do we??  Better to be safe than sorry.
Title: Re: Terminating a Neuro(How does this sound)
Post by mr.c on Jul 30th, 2006, 1:16am
My dad is a lawyer.  He always told me to "Document, document, document..."  It will save your butt.

Dates, quotes, any paper trail...  The more the better. "On (insert date), this was done to no avail..." blah, blah, blah...

Don't sound pissy in your letter if your insurance is going to read it.  Write it business like.  Make it sound like you have tried to work with him but are getting nowhere.


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