Health Insurance - Simi Valley,CA

1. I always seek out a doctor that doesn't make me wait.
2. I always change doctors when I don't get the care I need.
3. I'm not fed up with my coverage. I specifically chose a PPO, so that I could choose my doctor.
4. My DH was not satisfied with the care he was receiving and is now seeing a doctor that does alternative medicine.

Are you selling something?

1) Yes - but mine are great already!
2) Yes - but, again, I love my drs.
3) No
4) No, can't recall anything specific

V.,

I live in Menifee,CA and I go to my OBGYN in Oceanside, CA. He is the best doctor I have had so far and I drive 45 miles to see him. I pay more of a co pay because I have a PPO. That goes the same for my daughter's pediatrician. He was my siblings' Pediatrician and I was referred by my OBGYN.
People ask my why I don't change doctors and my response is I will not let go of a good thing. And I have had my share of doctors that don't spend enough time with. Or doctors that are so busy to where I only see their practitioner!! I have had doctors tell me something that I could have figured out for myself or have already figured it out for myself. But I say, if you are unhappy-get a second oppinion. And when you find someone to trust, keep him/her. If you have no other choice but to go to someone else, ask for a good referral.

I dont' know if any of this helps. Either way, good luck!

C.
Menifee, CA

1. Maybe I've become acustomed to the wait but I feel like my doctor is doing the best he can with his load.
2. yes
3. When informed properly about an issue, I hope any doctor would take you seriously. Many years ago, people payed cash for doctor visits and had health insurance for emergencies or hospital needs. Personally, I think that is a big part of why health insurance has so many issues today. It has to cover so much more. So... yes - I would pay cash for a doctor visit.
4. Not me! I nag until it is fixed!

1. I'm always looking for a good doctor who is interested in listening to me.
2. I would (and did) change doctors because I was unhappy with her bedside manner.
3. I'm in the minority - I have fabulous health insurance that covers nearly everything, including alternative and preventative care.
4. I have! I can't stand it when I go to my daughter's pediatrician for a recurring problem and all he will do is prescribe more antiobiotics. Uh, hello! She's been through four rounds of antiobiotics already! I don't think it's working!

In closing I would like to say Yay Chiropractors! I would be crippled without mine!

1. I had a doctor that spent a long time and explained everything thoroughly, but that would make other patients wait longer for their appointments. I was at her office for 2 ½ hours for an appointment, and that was the last time I was there. She should have set aside more time in between her appointments.

2. I changed and will change again if it occurs again.

3. I would pay cash and I have.

4. I had constipation problems with my daughter and her pediatrician would give me the same answer over and over again, saying it was normal because we started her on solids. I did seek alternative medicine and now the constipation is gone. I am keeping our Hollistic Pediatrician’s number handy so I can contact her anytime.

Yes i totally agree on this, besides waiting so long in the reception area to go in the docs room for 10 minutes and give you a cough syrup. What happened to running tests why you keep getting sick. Dont forget your copay also..

hi
#1 Definetly, for sure. But on the same note I am willing to wait if I know the practitioner would take his time when it was my turn as well.
#2 I would and have, certainly.
#3 We have Kaiser insurance and always pay out-of-pocket for my son to see an alternative care provider that Kaiser would definetly not cover. For my husband and I, we rarely see a doctor but in general we are willing to pay for good care because unfortunatly it is very hard to come by.
#4 Both times my son went to an MD I felt degraded and undermined, we dont go to the doctor for these very reasons. THEY DONT LISTEN and they treat mothers as if they have no idea what they are doing. This is why we will continue to seek the care of alternative providers that will listen and respect my family and our choices.

Yes. All of the above.

yes, yes and yes....we actually pay the doctors rates for my personal health care. They are somewhat reasonable. My doctor is unbelievably awsome. So I don't mind paying a little more for a visit.

My son however has insurance his doctor at my suggestion put him on a.d.d. medicine.
1. the cost with insurance would have been about 300. a month to keep him on this medication

2. We have found other ways to work with him without medication.

We lucked out this year with a really great 4th grade teacher that not only understands my sons learning limits but also is really working within those limits. I have also learned from her tricks to help my son at home. He's doing better today then he ever did on medication. We also try and watch his diet and make sure he gets out and runs off or plays off extra energy.

1. depends on the doctor and his specialty. I have waited 2 hours to see a neurosurgeon who was one of the top in his field. I wouldn't wait that long for a general practitioner.
2. If I was not getting the care that I needed I would definitely change drs. I have in the past.
3. Love my insurance, but would be willing to pay cash for a dr. if absolutely necessary.
4. If I felt that way I would go to a different dr. SOmetimes it has even been necessary to consult someone who practiced alternative and/or Eastern medicine. I do what is necessary to insure your health and the health of my family.

1. Yes - I did seek out a doctor like this, and we love her!
2. Yes - I make sure our doctors are great.
3. I love my coverage and have actually been very happy with our Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts PPO (my husband's company is based in Mass.). I hated our Blue Shield of CA HMO that we had before, but this new one (we've had for 2 years) has been super-helpful and has paid all of our claims right away (or immediately upon a call from me where there was a discrepancy). I would never be without insurance, reasonable fee or not.
4. I always feel I have an option. Our pediatrician has a D.O. rather than an M.D. - don't know if that has a lot to do with it, but she has a more "whole body" approach and always gives a number of suggestions. I don't do cough syrup anyways!

1. Sure! If he was covered by my insurance - isn't that the goal afterall?

2. Absolutely! I've done it too! My daughter is the most important thing in the world and I am trusting her health and life to this person - I must feel good about it!

3. No - I am a single mother - I need the insurance and am happy with the coverage so far.

4. Yes - with her first doctor. Now the one we have really listens to me and what my concerns are. They are GREAT!

Hear, Hear!

I have been a Chiropractic Asst. for over twenty years and during that time with regular care, I have not had to see an M.D. other that pap smears and mammograms. I have not had to sit for one to two hours only to be told I need antibiotics before they even looked at me. Enough already. I wish more people could experience the health and vitality chiropractic offers.

C.

1. I would be willing to drive up to 1-2 hours for a doctor that I trusted and that would actually listen to me.
2. Yes, I would definately change doctors...sometimes you have to go through a lot to finally get the one that's right for your famiy.
3. I am fed up with the coverage, but I think the only way I would pay cash only is if there was something serious that my doctor was not treating as such...I would definately pay cash for a consultation with another just to see.
4. I always feel like you are only given one option and sometimes not even that...most doctor's just say....they'll have to ride it through, and give the kids nothing to help with the coughing or whatever they have...makes no sence to me since they always give me cough syrup if I have a bad cough....
Really don't trust or like doctor's that much!

Hi V.,
1. Yes, absolutely.
2. Yes, absolutely.
3. Yep.
4. No, there are always options. Doctors are mere humans who make bad calls from time to time. Our pediatrician (a new one for us) recommended a topical steroid drug for our 8 year old's scalp psoriasis. After I read the precautions, blazing warnings for use of that particular drug on children, sighting major side effects and long term complications. I left it in the box. There is no way I am putting that on my kid, I don't care who prescribed it. Especially since this is a chronic condition.

I think it's important to weigh professional opinions with intuition and common sense for your situation. Nothing is absolute. There is always more than one way to approach something.

I also have a son that is just over 2, about 8 months ago his Dr. diagnosed him with Rosiola...childhood measles. When he didn't get better I took him back and his ear ruptured when they went to take his temp. "OOPs" they said - he must have an ear infection...well a ruptured eardrum is what were lookig @ now said the Dr. He continued to get ear infections for months. Then I took him to a homeopathic Dr. whom I paid cash $50 a visit, no waiting, an hour visits, he took my son off sugar (of any kind except whole fruit - no juice) and dairy. He hasn't gotten sick again. I would highly recommend it if its something you have thought about.
Good luck!
ad

There is a movement in CA happening. it is people that are sick of our doctor/insurance system. You can now pay a doctor by the hour (or half hour) you have a choice in every treatment and medicine. You don't pay if your child isn't needing to go to the doctor.
The only reason I take my kids to the doctor is for serious things (never for a simple cold or flu). I don't feel like I should have to pay insurance for someone else's issues including immunizations and when people wait too long to have their child treated and need the ER. You can also get insurance with a higher co-pay program so you have the insurance available in-case of major sickness.

Hi V.
I agree would say yes to all of the questions.
I am tired of insurance companies running/or ruining our lives. I would love to pay a doctor out of pocket at a reasonable rate. All of us have health issues or just check ups.
I am a mother of 2 however both are adults now.

1. Yes, it is obvious we feel better cared for from a doctor who doesn't rush you through his office....but if you go to your appoinment prepared with any questions or concerns, I have experienced most doctors willing to answer my questions
2.Absolutely, YES...I live in an area with many, many choices of doctors, so it is very easy for me to seek out a doctor I feel is competent
3. I have excellent insurance at the moment, but during a 2 year period when my husband was unemployed or working as a consultant with no benefits, I simply paid 100% cash for all of our medical needs without a hesitation
4. Doctors are not god...educate yourself as much as possible & go with your intuition
P.S. Your very fortunate to be married to a Chiropractic doctor...I believe Chirpractic care is one of the BEST things you can do for your overall health & well-being...from babies to seniors!

My doctor and medical insurance is very important to me. I want to feel taken care of every step of the way. However, I am willing to pay more for this service even though my family is rarely sick. Because I have a PPO, I pick the dr I want to see and I am not at the beckoning call of an HMO - However, I have a deductable and pay $145.00 a month for my family. It's worth it. I want to know the Doctor cares about me. I dont want to wait more than 5 minutes to see the doctor, and I want to have faith that I am in good hands with someone who will really care for my family. This means more to me than driving a fancy car, or living in a huge house. - C. - Teacher - Mother of an Awesome 3.5 year old.