Is this how it usually goes in America?
Hello. I am an immigrant. I moved to the US 20 years ago. I am still amazed by the Healthcare system here. I would like to know if my experience with trying to get a neck surgery is just how things are here.
My neurosurgeon told me that I needed 2 cervical discs replaced. Prior to that I was sent from one doctor to another. I had to take all kinds of meds for migraines, tension headaches, muscle stiffness. This is where the fun began:
- I had to ask previous physical therapy places for medical records. I called 1 place 4 times because they couldn't type the fax number correctly. Of course, with lots of push back and attitude, they faxed over the records to the surgeon.
- pre-op appt with my primary care. I show up and they don't have surgeon's orders. I had to find them and provide to the doctor.
-bloodwork needed to be redone. I went to a different place. It took them multiple attempts and pokes to draw some blood. I can't fault them. My veins are weird.
-I had to send over the bloodwork results to my surgeon, because the place I went to couldn't.
-the surgery location was switched on me twice. I had to talk to 2 hospitals and answer the same lengthy set of questions.
-the pre-op appt was moved without any discussion. I got a text saying it was moved.
-the pre-op appt location changed 3 times. I had to call 5 times to confirm.
-my fmla paperwork can't be filled out until the day of surgery. I get it, but it does add more stress because of work and not having anything official.
-yesterday I got a text to get another xray done. I show up at the xray place and they have no records of orders. I tried calling the surgeon's office at 4.30 but they were closed even though they were supposed to be open till 5.
-this morning I get a notification from insurance that my prior auth was denied. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday.
This process was accompanied by coworkers telling me they wouldn't cover for me. I am stressed to the point of breaking.
Is this how it usually goes? Any tips would be appreciated as well.