The writer of the post mentions that none of the doctors were in synch, something we have probably all faced. Used to be with referrals they knew one another and if you are lucky, they still do! Otherwise there’s a list of names on the list that are under the same contract. Contracts change so frequently as well as what is covered, in any somewhat large size city there’s no way they can all know each other and know about the reputations and patient satisfaction without going to the internet themselves.
I have had this happen with a referral, a good one by a doctor only to find out he’s not “on the list”, so then it’s back to square one to “search and settle” for one on the “list’ which may be a very good second choice, but still disappointed I didn’t get to see the first one recommended by word of mouth. First the writer finds a doctor who will take her 76 year old mother, then finds out the full program is not available under regular Medicare, need Part D Advantage, so off to find another doctor.
Well this certainly says something for medical records after you read the chase to get them that this woman went through, faxing, etc. One good reason to have both and EHR and PHR, as on can pick up where the other leaves off, and the PHRs can tax faxes too, so if you have a low tech doctor, you can still have a somewhat high tech online record. The new doctor’s office used an out of date address over seven years old too.
Also mentioned in here was the tweaking of the billing code done by the doctor’s office to get a check up paid for, what! This has gone on for years but now with transparency stuff is going to show up and there have even been folks who have been denied coverage or claims due to “creative coding”, which is supposed to be doing a favor in getting things paid and it does do that, but who knows when queries are run late how someone will analyze this and made a negative decision based on what code was entered on a billing statement 10 years ago.
“A few weeks went by. The new doctor's receptionist called. No records. Another call to the old practice. They needed another copy of the request form and a copy of my power of attorney. More faxing ensued. Another month passed. Still no records. I called the office manager. This time, she said she didn't handle medical records. I needed to speak to a records specialist deep in the bowels of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. After one more call, it seemed as if they would finally comply.”
You can view a sample on what the MIB does with healthcare records and one woman’s story about trying to get it corrected. BD
My mom, Dianne, is 76 and lives in an assisted living facility in Newton. Over the years, she's had a variety of conditions needing occasional treatment, and the trips to her doctor were getting to be a nightmare. We'd battle our way through traffic into the Longwood Medical Area and park in a dark, crowded lot. It was tough for my mother, who uses a walker, to get to the elevator. And the doctor had all the bedside manner of a Filet-o-Fish.
When medical issues arose, such as a painful rash or bruises from a fall, Mom would be sent off to specialists.
But none of these doctors seemed to be in synch. They didn't even talk to one another.
The Sick Truth - The Boston Globe
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