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Private browsing tips?

Started by crimsonbison10 · · 👁 5 views · 15 replies

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Participants crimsonbison10Susan Martin24shadowfalcon33Christian Sanchez44Scott Allen10Justin Foxgranitebadger25Brenda Reed3jadesailor14Betty Bennett10
crimsonbison10 crimsonbison10 Active MemberOP
51 messages
joined Nov 2008
#1 ·
Given the sheer lack of "insight" I’ve encountered from my primary care doctors lately, I’m seriously considering just bypassing the system and handling everything through private clinics. I'm looking at getting a full blood panel, a urinalysis, some imaging on my cervical spine—including a Doppler scan of the vessels—and honestly, as time slips by, I feel like I should probably just book a comprehensive checkup with an internist too.
Can anyone point me toward a reliable outpatient clinic? And more importantly, what kind of damage am I looking at financially here? What's the ballpark for all this?
thanks
Susan Martin24 Susan Martin24 Active Member
79 messages
joined Apr 2006
#2 ·
The doctor's "understanding"... give me a break. lol
Look, there’s actually a formal term for this—it's called "clinical indication for referral." Determining if you need a specific test is literally what they get paid to do, not you 😈
From what I can gather, you're just looking to get a full preventive physical. Honestly, I think that's great. It’s funny how we'll take our cars in for a routine oil change and a tune-up without thinking twice, yet people hesitate to do the exact same thing for their own bodies. Taking care of your health should be seen as both a right and a responsibility for everyone.
There are plenty of private clinics and urgent care centers where you could just walk in and get this done—you’re probably looking at a total cost of around $667.
Susan Martin24 Susan Martin24 Active Member
79 messages
joined Apr 2006
#3 ·
So, here’s the deal: Medicare doesn't actually cover routine preventive checkups or those regular systematic physicals for the general public. There are some specific groups where it's covered—like little kids before they start school—but once you move into high-risk industries (kind of like the line of work I'm in), the responsibility shifts. In those cases, it's strictly on the employer to foot the bill for their staff's medical screenings, following whatever legal schedule is required for that specific job type.
Most companies end up paying for their employees' physicals, though honestly, how much they shell out really just depends on how much they're willing to spend on their crew.
The thing is, even if you have a primary doctor through the CDC, they can't just write you a referral for a full systematic exam and expect Medicare to pick up the tab.
crimsonbison10 crimsonbison10 Active MemberOP
51 messages
joined Nov 2008
#4 ·
Susan Martin24 said:.. - the total cost for all that might land somewhere around $667.

That’s really all I was looking to clear up. Thanks.

Now, if anyone out there actually has some firsthand experience or real intel regarding any of those mass outpatient clinics, I’d be incredibly grateful for the heads-up.
shadowfalcon33 shadowfalcon33 Active Member
64 messages
joined Jan 2008
#5 ·
I’m not sure if you’ve already brought this up with your doctor, but I personally get my bloodwork and urinalysis done once a year, and I haven't had any issues with the two physicians I've seen so far. It's usually just a quick, "Oh, you need this? Sure, here's the lab referral."

I'm a bit confused by your mention of cervical vertebrae and Doppler ultrasound. I'm not entirely sure how necessary those tests are, especially given your age.
crimsonbison10 crimsonbison10 Active MemberOP
51 messages
joined Nov 2008
#6 ·
shadowfalcon33 said:I’m not really sure what you mean by cervical vertebrae and a Doppler ultrasound. I don't know if those are even necessary, especially considering your age.

Look, the whole reason we're talking about these scans is because these headaches have become frequent and frankly, excruciating. It’s like a hammer hitting my skull. Of course, if they find something else during the process—a third thing entirely—then we deal with that. One of the main things I'm worried about is reduced blood flow, which is why I was specifically aiming for a Doppler.
shadowfalcon33 shadowfalcon33 Active Member
64 messages
joined Jan 2008
#7 ·
I thought everything was fine, but if you're looking for a thorough checkup, I agree with what Susan Martin24 suggested.

Since you mentioned these headaches are frequent and intense, my advice is not to try and manage this on your own. You really need to coordinate your care directly with your doctor. If there's an underlying issue, as you say, your best bet would be to see a private neurologist—that might actually be the smartest first step—or perhaps an internist.
Christian Sanchez44 Christian Sanchez44 Active Member
67 messages
joined Jul 2005
#8 ·
Susan Martin24 said:Basically, Medicare—our national health insurance—DOES NOT cover the costs of preventative screenings or routine checkups for the general public.

It’s honestly mind-bogglingly stupid—I mean, really—because if they actually invested in catching things early, they could drastically slash the massive costs incurred once people are already critically ill...
Scott Allen10 Scott Allen10 Regular
315 messages
joined Jun 2005
#9 ·
Honestly, there’s no point in trying to play doctor and guessing what kind of tests you actually need. You can get things like blood work or urine tests done easily enough at a local clinic using a referral from your primary doctor.
Before you even think about booking a Doppler or getting an X-ray on your neck, you usually have to see a specialist first who can actually call for those specific scans. In my experience, most doctors won't just send you off for a Doppler unless a specialist—like a neurologist or a surgeon—says it's absolutely necessary.
I wouldn't rush out and pay for private specialists without a solid reason, either. I've found that half the time, you end up with a total "pig in a poke"—you might end up overpaying or, even worse, seeing someone who isn't actually as skilled as they claim to be.
Justin Fox Justin Fox Active Member
110 messages
joined Jan 2006
#10 ·
Why would expert care be a bad thing? He’ll be getting his tests done by actual professionals, which means he gets real results. If something isn't adding up, the man can just carry those findings with him and present them to other specialists for follow-up diagnoses. Honestly, since he's paying out of pocket anyway, maybe the specialists will actually give him more attention than they do the patients relying on Medicare.

The only downside is the cost. He might be able to dodge some of that by having his primary care physician handle part of it, then using those specific symptoms—like that constant, pounding headache—to get referrals for the rest. I imagine navigating the referral system takes forever. If he’d rather shell out the cash $667 than spend hours (how many?) sitting in waiting rooms, well, that's his call.
Scott Allen10 Scott Allen10 Regular
315 messages
joined Jun 2005
#11 ·
Justin Fox said:Why would the quality be any worse? He’ll have actual pros running the tests, so he gets real results, and if something isn't adding up, the guy can just take those results to other specialists for a second opinion. Honestly, since he's paying cash anyway, maybe the specialists will actually give him more attention than they do the people relying on insurance.

It's just a bummer he has to pay out of pocket, though maybe he could dodge some of that by seeing his primary care doctor first and getting a referral for a specialist based on those intense headaches he's been having. I'm guessing navigating the whole referral system takes forever, so if he'd rather just shell out the dough $667 instead of sitting around (for how long??) in waiting rooms, that's totally his call.

The thing is, just like there are great mechanics and total hacks, you’ve got great doctors and terrible ones too. But with a mechanic, if they mess up your paint job or a wall, you can just fix it... with a medical screw-up, you might end up paying for it with your life.
What I'm trying to say is that going private doesn't guarantee better care. You might just get seen faster, which doesn't mean much if they botch the job. I personally know a few doctors who were complete nobodies at the local hospital but now they're making bank in private practice, acting like these big-shot experts—it’s honestly kind of a joke we all just roll our eyes at.
Or even more common... you see a surgeon with twenty years of trauma experience running a private clinic doing plastic surgery or vascular stuff... anyone who knows anything about medicine knows that’s a huge red flag, and I definitely wouldn't go to a trauma surgeon for something unrelated.
Then again, when someone has a fancy sign saying "Specialist in X," it's pretty hard for a regular person to tell if they aren't actually getting the best diagnosis or the most skilled surgery available.
So, if he does decide to go the private route, my best advice is to try and ask around within hospital circles to see what people actually think of their skills regarding the specific issue he's facing.
But hey... whatever happens, GOING PRIVATE DOES NOT EQUAL BETTER TREATMENT!!!
granitebadger25 granitebadger25 Member
46 messages
joined Mar 2004
#12 ·
I am in agreement with Scott Allen10 regarding the quality of certain private providers, but I would also point out another major issue: people flock to private clinics to run specific tests based solely on their own whims—or perhaps some advice from a friend or neighbor—without undergoing a full medical evaluation first. Often, those individual tests come back looking fine, leaving the patient wandering around with a stack of results—some normal, some misinterpreted—still without having actually addressed the underlying problem.
Everyone seems so impressed by the latest generation of imaging machines that private diagnostic centers market as "all-knowing" tools, while completely ignoring patient history and a thorough physical exam, which are the only things that can truly indicate which tests are actually necessary.
Recently, a businessman who couldn't be bothered to follow the standard diagnostic protocol because it "took too long" decided to handle his issues with frequent urination and thirst at a private facility using a full-body CT... he was quite pleased because there was no wait, the procedure was quick, the bill was substantial, and the result was normal... unfortunately, he didn't solve his problem until he ended up in the ER with ketoacidosis... it turned out to be diabetes, something his primary care physician likely would have identified immediately through a simple consultation.

Likewise, I advise the original poster to speak with their primary care doctor about their headaches before rushing off for more testing... there is a wide range of causes for headaches, and a Doppler ultrasound isn't a magic bullet for everything.
crimsonbison10 crimsonbison10 Active MemberOP
51 messages
joined Nov 2008
#13 ·
I really appreciate everyone taking a moment to weigh in on my situation. But honestly, that’s exactly the crux of it—even after several trips to my primary care doctor with more or less the same symptoms, including these headaches, he hasn't seen anything significant enough to justify a referral. It feels like a broken record. I dealt with something remarkably similar back in my college days when I had a cyst growing on my tracheal cartilage—about 1.5cm, so you could actually feel it, quite palpable—and it wasn't until my fourth visit that I finally got a referral to a specialist. And to make matters worse, it was a locum doctor covering for someone on maternity leave who finally took me seriously. Up until then, the "medical advice" I received was basically: don't drink anything cold, stay away from carbonated drinks, and take two rounds of antibiotics... Of course, different doctors, but the pattern is identical. It's not that I'm some kind of hypochondriac, but when there's an issue lingering like this, I'd just prefer to have some clarity on what's actually going on.
I also agree that paying out-of-pocket for private testing isn't necessarily the absolute best way to go, which is why I started this thread in the first place. If anyone has any firsthand or secondhand intel regarding a specific clinic or facility, I would be incredibly grateful.
Best to all.
Brenda Reed3 Brenda Reed3 Member
11 messages
joined Jun 2010
#14 ·
...So, I went to that clinic over on Nemetov last year to get everything checked out. First thing I did was sit down for a full consultation with a specialist who actually understood my symptoms, and once he saw what was going on, he sent me off for all the necessary testing. Just to give you a ballpark idea of the costs—bloodwork usually runs about $67, the CT scan set me back around $200, and that initial doctor's visit felt like it was roughly $43... those are just rough estimates since I managed to snag a discount.
Honestly, the quality was solid and the whole process was incredibly smooth. Everything moves fast there; they have nurses who basically hold your hand and guide you through every step. If your results aren't ready right then and there, they'll just mail them straight to your house. Plus, whenever I need to swing by just to show a doctor my findings, they haven't even charged me for a follow-up visit, which is honestly such a class act.
jadesailor14 jadesailor14 Regular
314 messages
joined May 2006
#15 ·
Susan Martin24 said:"Understanding" doctors... haha!
There’s actually such a thing as "clinical indications for a referral," and determining that is part of the doctor's job, not yours 😈
QUOTE]

Honestly, I think you're just wonderful
You really are such a great woman
But please don't judge every single doctor based on one bad experience
For instance, my primary care physician is absolutely amazing, but I know plenty of doctors who won't give you a referral even if you crawl to their office on your hands and knees
And once you start paying out-of-pocket for a specialist, there's zero chance they'll write you a prescription

If you can't "understand" your GP, it's incredibly easy to just switch to a different practice

I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about the Sunce clinic over by Jarun (it's right near the Red Cross, behind that old church mess)
They gave my colleague all the pricing details right over the phone when she called them up
Betty Bennett10 Betty Bennett10 Active Member
92 messages
joined May 2005
#16 ·
It wasn't entirely clear from the initial post why the OP was running all these tests; it sounded more like they were looking for a systematic, full-body overhaul—something Medicare definitely doesn't cover.

Eisenfaust, if I were you, I’d suggest seeing a private internist instead; let a professional tell you which tests are actually necessary, because trying to self-diagnose your own lab work is just asking for trouble. There are plenty of places like the Mayo Clinic where you can get everything handled in one go; personally, I’ve used specialists at a high-end clinic in Chicago for my gastrointestinal issues.

That said, your primary care physician might just be insensitive or stingy with referrals, though there's a chance they're actually being smart about it. In my experience, when I complained to my doctor about needing a physiotherapist, he didn't just brush me off—he pulled a customized exercise regimen right out of his desk drawer for me. 😬 😉

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