My mom called me this morning and asked me if I could drive her to the hospital because she was not feeling well and her Dr. could not see her until next week. So I pick her up and we drive to the HP. We have been here now for 3 hours and I understand the long wait because they are swamped.
What pissed me off is this "admissions / records" woman just came into the ER room my mom is in and had the nerve to argue with my sick mother about her insurance. They told her that they do not accept her insurance (she has one of the largest insurance companies in the US.. Blue Cross Blue Sheild) and that she needed to give then a card from another insurance company.... WHo has 2 insurance companies? So it took me asking to speak with her supervisor before she would quit badgering my mom about an insurance card. The supervisor confirmed that they do accept her insurance (duh shes used it in this very hospital like 4 times this year). So after that was cleared up the nurse came in and apologized to my mother for the original records womans attitude. She said that the hospital administration is freaking out about the proposed health care reform and has its records / claims staff pushing patients hard to pay in cash / credit card upfront for their services and to have their Ins company reimburse them later.
I almost lost my cool for the first time in 3 months when this woman told my mother that she was lying about them taking her insurance. Who in the hell argues with a sick woman who can barely speak or pick herself up to talk to you? This is one of the only times you will ever hear me say I envy Canada and the UK. You guys have your heath care system almost perfect.