It's that time of year where I have to choose if I want to stay with the University's health plan or go with a regular insurance carrier. There are plus and minuses on both sides.
The big reason I am thinking of making a switch is logistics. I live 30 miles from the University's hospital. Under my current plan all my health needs have to be done at the univ hospital. Mainly this is a non-issue. My Dr appt I can work around my work schedule and don't have to travel far as I work at the univ. The problem comes in when either an emergency comes up or my surgery's. Trying to get someone to drive me back and forth can be a problem. I am single and have no kids, so I don't have that avenue to use for transportation.
My other concern is having to find another Dr and Uro. I have seen three different Uro's and two I liked a lot and one I wish I never met. I fear finding another one like the one I did not like. The other two were/is great. But I feel kind of odd going back to the first Uro I liked because I left his office to come up here to the Univ. He is a local Uro and has a basic office. But I never had a problem with him or they way he was treating me. Right now I am at a teaching hospital so there is always a group of people around you. With him, it is him and I in the room or when having surgery he has his usual assistants with him.
So my problem is this, do I stay here and just figure out transportation issues, or go back to my last Uro, or go and find a completely new Uro?
Also I wonder how do the Dr's feel about jumping around? I Know we have to be our own advocates in this battle, but do Dr's look at this and go here comes trouble?
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Choosing Insurance
- By antuck
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 2:55 pm · 3 replies
- In Living with non-invasive bladder cancer
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- By jj803
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 4:54 pm
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I imagine docs dont much like jumping around as it may somewhat interfere with continuity of care. That being said, my urologist (local) had no problem with me seeking 2nd opinions and getting treatment (rc) at a major institution and has offered to do follow up care in conjunction with direction from the university hospital, as much or as little as I seek. To date I have kept my follow up at the university in spite of the 2 hour drive each way, but that has been a personal choice. My local urologist has ordered some tests for me and seen me at that time when I thought I might have a UTI. So I think the "changing" probably depends on the circumstances as well as the doctor involved. Since it is what I did, I would suggest using the uro that you feel most comfortable with and if you can retain a good relationship with both the university team and the local doc that you like, that would be a good option as well.
JJ
- By HighlandGuy
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 7:22 pm
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When it comes to doctors, and especially when cancer is involved I have one consideration: Who is the most competant and best qualified to treat me.
It is stupid to concieve that doctors are the same, or even similar. They aren't! I could care less for convenience or personality. I want the most qualified!
HighlandGuy
- By nancynursez637
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:57 pm
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I tend to think the extra effort is worth getting to the most qualified. I don't know who that is in your case, guessing only you can tell that.
Many insurance companies have limitations on pre-existing conditions, and I am sure you have already looked at that, as well as accelerated premiums once you have cancer. Just my thoughts
NancyN
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