My latest experience with Single Payer Healthcare
Several weeks ago I went in to my primary care doctor for a routine, yearly PAP smear. I had been having more issues than normal with UTIs and pelvic pain, so we discussed what was going on before, during, and after my exam. We determined that my endometriosis was flaring up again, and after talking about several potential options, my doctor recommended a consult with gynecology to see if I was a candidate for Mirena (a low-dose hormonal IUD).
Now, one of the things I hear people complaining about the possibility of a single-payer healthcare plan is that you'll have terrible long waits to see specialists. I placed a call, and was offered an appointment within two weeks of my call (I had to turn it down and take one later out, due to my taking a trip to the Mainland).
On to my actual appointment:
I had the SPC with me, since my research had shown me that if they chose to insert the day of consult, I wouldn't want to drive afterward. I showed up 15 minutes before my appointment, was called up to the desk after a 5 minute wait to verify my current medications and allergies, and was called into the office for vitals 5 minutes after my scheduled appointment time. A few minutes after that, I was called in to talk to the gynecologist.
The GYN asked a few questions, and we talked for about 15 minutes making sure my symptoms did match endometriosis, confirming my multiparous status (Mirena is not recommended for those who have not carried a pregnancy to term), and making sure I knew the risk factors. Then the GYN told me that due to my endometriosis, I would need to have a biopsy done (screening for endometrial cancer). Would I like to schedule it, or did I have time to do it today? I opted for today, since I had a ride.
Off to the lab for a SOP pregnancy test! I had a 10 minute wait in the lab, gave my sample, and the SPC and I walked down to the shopette and grabbed some water and snacks, and headed back up to OB/GYN. I was quickly called back into my room, now prepped for the biopsy. The GYN described the procedure in detail, and noticed my increasing nervousness (these situations trigger my PTSD, especially with an unfamiliar doctor). He asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this now. I told him that this was as calm as I was going to be, due to past experiences. He had me get dressed, and sent me off to the pharmacy for some Ativan, after determining that yes, I really did want to do this. I was to come back when it kicked in, and the SPC could come if it would make me more comfortable.
30 minutes after the pharmacy handed me the pill, I was called back in. The nurse, GYN, and med student all assured me that I really wasn't being a bother with my anxiety, that it was perfectly natural, and they apologized to me. They again described the procedure (I think partially for the SPC's benefit), and noted that I was still nervous, despite the Ativan obviously starting to work. At this point, I was offered the option of having the biopsy done in the OR, under general anesthetic.
I've never been offered this before, even when my PTSD was under much less control, and I was in the middle of a bad panic attack, and the equivalent of several uterine cysts bursting. That was with the best private insurance I've ever been on, and it wasn't even seen as an option. I was dumbfounded.
I turned down the OR. I didn't need it, and the GYN proceeded. He made sure I knew what he was doing, and while it was painful (and he ended up having to get 2 samples /wince), I felt safe, listened to, and in competent hands. I was not made to feel lesser for needing an anti-anxiety medication, and was reassured at each step that I was not being a bother.
I was then again told what to expect the next few days as a result of the biopsy, and my appointment for the Mirena insertion is set up for 3 weeks from now(and Ativan will be ready at the pharmacy an hour before the appointment, so I'll be prepped and ready).
So. That's one appointment in the United States single payer health care program called TriCare Prime. It's a shame that you either have to be military or a military 'dependent' to be on it. I say merge it with Medicare and call it a day.
Now, one of the things I hear people complaining about the possibility of a single-payer healthcare plan is that you'll have terrible long waits to see specialists. I placed a call, and was offered an appointment within two weeks of my call (I had to turn it down and take one later out, due to my taking a trip to the Mainland).
On to my actual appointment:
I had the SPC with me, since my research had shown me that if they chose to insert the day of consult, I wouldn't want to drive afterward. I showed up 15 minutes before my appointment, was called up to the desk after a 5 minute wait to verify my current medications and allergies, and was called into the office for vitals 5 minutes after my scheduled appointment time. A few minutes after that, I was called in to talk to the gynecologist.
The GYN asked a few questions, and we talked for about 15 minutes making sure my symptoms did match endometriosis, confirming my multiparous status (Mirena is not recommended for those who have not carried a pregnancy to term), and making sure I knew the risk factors. Then the GYN told me that due to my endometriosis, I would need to have a biopsy done (screening for endometrial cancer). Would I like to schedule it, or did I have time to do it today? I opted for today, since I had a ride.
Off to the lab for a SOP pregnancy test! I had a 10 minute wait in the lab, gave my sample, and the SPC and I walked down to the shopette and grabbed some water and snacks, and headed back up to OB/GYN. I was quickly called back into my room, now prepped for the biopsy. The GYN described the procedure in detail, and noticed my increasing nervousness (these situations trigger my PTSD, especially with an unfamiliar doctor). He asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this now. I told him that this was as calm as I was going to be, due to past experiences. He had me get dressed, and sent me off to the pharmacy for some Ativan, after determining that yes, I really did want to do this. I was to come back when it kicked in, and the SPC could come if it would make me more comfortable.
30 minutes after the pharmacy handed me the pill, I was called back in. The nurse, GYN, and med student all assured me that I really wasn't being a bother with my anxiety, that it was perfectly natural, and they apologized to me. They again described the procedure (I think partially for the SPC's benefit), and noted that I was still nervous, despite the Ativan obviously starting to work. At this point, I was offered the option of having the biopsy done in the OR, under general anesthetic.
I've never been offered this before, even when my PTSD was under much less control, and I was in the middle of a bad panic attack, and the equivalent of several uterine cysts bursting. That was with the best private insurance I've ever been on, and it wasn't even seen as an option. I was dumbfounded.
I turned down the OR. I didn't need it, and the GYN proceeded. He made sure I knew what he was doing, and while it was painful (and he ended up having to get 2 samples /wince), I felt safe, listened to, and in competent hands. I was not made to feel lesser for needing an anti-anxiety medication, and was reassured at each step that I was not being a bother.
I was then again told what to expect the next few days as a result of the biopsy, and my appointment for the Mirena insertion is set up for 3 weeks from now(and Ativan will be ready at the pharmacy an hour before the appointment, so I'll be prepped and ready).
So. That's one appointment in the United States single payer health care program called TriCare Prime. It's a shame that you either have to be military or a military 'dependent' to be on it. I say merge it with Medicare and call it a day.