Last week I took my daughter in for a pediatrician’s office visit. One of those many last minute, scary appointments you make when you have an infant screaming with a fever and you don’t know why.
After her examination the diagnosis was apparent: ear infection, and something else -- abnormal test results on her kidneys. It sounds much worse than it is (I think something like 70% of kids come back with these findings), but I was told that I did need to follow up with another test sample (you don’t want the details).
I learned from the staff that no matter what the results are, there is nothing they can do for her anyway until she’s older.
So I asked how much the tests were going to cost, and the lab techs looked at me, stunned. They didn’t know. And neither did the lady that worked the front desk. This baffled me – wouldn’t you know the prices if you worked at the lab?
After going home and thinking about it, I called the doctor’s office and asked when I would find out the results, and if they came back abnormal, would they do anything? I was told no, but they would send my baby to a specialist.
I was ok with that, but if her last results already came back abnormal, why am I repeating them – so that I can be sent to a specialist, have the test out of date again and then have to do it all over again?
The nurse acted as though I was speaking Russian in Spain, but somewhat agreed with me. But the deed was done. Just for kicks, I asked how much this test was going to cost. No one in the doctor’s office seemed to know – I was told they don’t bill for it, so they weren’t sure.
I’m not criticizing the doctor for taking care of my daughter – if she needs a test, then run it. But why do it over and over again, with no new action in between? And why isn’t anyone clear on the costs of these procedures?
The whole thing reminded me of something this doctor wrote in the Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2010867306_guest24stitham.html
Maybe something like this has happened to you?
