Hopefully you can forgive me but I just really think typing this up will help me to feel better. ha ha. I hope I am right. If you don't have a decent amount of time, you may want to stop. I will understand. :)
I am just very irritated with my doctor's office. Let me start at the beginning. I made my 20 week ultrasound appointment quite a while ago. My thinking behind this was we could arrange it around Eric's schedule so he could be there. I was wrong. Apparently they only to "those" ultrasounds 2 days a week for a few hours each day (a lady just comes to the office for that amount of time just to do the 3D ultrasounds). Well that sucks but not much I can do about it. I was irritated that they are not more accommodating with something that is a pretty big deal in my opinion. I got over it and we just decided that I would go to the appointment, take a CD for them to put it on and I would not look when they looked to see what it was. This would SUCK but I didn't want to know before Eric and he didn't want me to find out without him. So my appointment is on a Wednesday and I would just put the CD away and forget about it (yeah right) until Eric could get home the next night. We didn't have much of a choice.
Then, a light came on in my brain! I have a regular appointment just a week and a half before the 3D ultrasound and it is on a Friday so Eric would be home. Surely my doctor could do just a regular old ultrasound, like she did at my first appointment, to tell us the sex of our baby. They would be more than happy to help me out with my dilemma and would totally understand and want to do what they could so that we could find out together, at the office. Right?! Well not really.
I called and talked to a nurse, explained my situation, and asked if that would be doable. "Well we really like you to wait until 20 weeks to make sure we can tell the sex." and "You would have to make sure your insurance would cover it or else you will have to pay out of pocket." and "Why don't you wait until after your 20 week appointment to find out." "If you talk to your insurance company and work it out, then we would be happy to do that for you." THANK YOU!!!
First off, I know of SEVERAL girls that find out a few weeks before 20 weeks so don't try to tell me you won't be able to see. Second, fine, if you want to charge me extra for a 15 minute ultrasound, whatever. We have a high deductible that we have to meet regardless so it can just go towards that. I have a separate HSA account that we pay medical bills out of anyways so it really will not even phase me to have to pay. Third, waiting until AFTER my 20 weeks appointment totally defeats the purpose. We would already know by then.
I talk to Eric, he says to go ahead and let them know we want to do it (after all, if I am willing to pay, they are "happy" to do it.) So I call back and talk to billing to find out how much it will be. $50. That is less than I was expecting so that is fabulous. She transfers me back to the front desk so that I can let them know to plan on doing the ultrasound when I come in. I explain to the receptionist. (I am pretty sure I have dealt with her before and she is even more onery then me. ALL THE TIME.)
"Dr. B doesn't have any openings that day." I tell her AGAIN, I already have an appointment and just need them to plan on doing the ultrasound that I discussed with the nurse. "Well your appointment is only for 15 minutes and that will need a 30 minute appointment." Oh okay. And people NEVER wait at the doctor's office. In fact, if I remember correctly, I waited an hour for my first ultrasound, only to have to leave and come back several hours later to get it done. They owe me. ha ha. She proceeds to tell me she will make a note that I want one but can't "make any promises". And "You do know you will have to pay for that up front. I believe it is $250." Well actually, yes, I know that and yes I will be prepared, but it is only $50 thank you very much.
Oh I am fired up at this point. What a witch! Her tone was so nasty too. Wouldn't you think to be the receptionist at this kind of an office, you would be kind, helpful, excited (or pretend to be) and try to act like you give a crap? Last I checked, I was forking out just a small amount of money to come to this office. I am pretty sure it will be okay when I actually go. My doctor is wonderful, her staff just needs some help. I am pretty sure she will be sympathetic of my situation and be glad to help. At least I hope. My plan is to make sure and pay as soon as I get there so if they try to tell me no, I can say, but I already paid for it. :)
Wow, I feel lots better. Anyone still with me? ha ha. If not, I totally understand. This was massive and full of negative thoughts and feelings :) But like I said, I feel lots better. Anyone else ever been frustrated with the way you were treated while pregnant? I hope I am not the only one and I hope this is the only time. (Well the last time since it happened once before.) Grr!
3 days ago
8 comments:
THAT SUCKS! I am sorry you had to deal with such a wonderful staff! I have not had any trouble with my OB clinic but Sidnee has. She complained to the doctor and the doctor said thank you for telling me, that is the only way I know what is going on out there. So maybe you should mention it to the doctor. I hope it all works out for you! And hey vent anytime!
What a dilemma! I remember begging my doc to find out before 20 weeks; the reason is they do all kinds of measurements at 20 weeks to make sure things are on track. They look at all the organs, spine, etc. And insurance covers that one at 20 weeks. Not to choose the "nasty" office's side, but that is the reasoning. Anywho, you should check out one of those places in malls or something.....lots of girls go to those just to find out the sex. They CAN tell VERY early on what the sex is, it's just the docs office has to have the measurements at 20 weeks. The places in the malls (or wherever) are pretty cheap I hear. Hope this helps, What a bummer! It IS a big deal to find out the sex WITH your hubby there! :)
That stinks! Another reason though that they schedule the 20 week US differently is because they usually take longer than 15 minutes. Mine took 1 & 1/2 hours to get all the measurements, look at the heart, lungs, limbs, etc. and so even if they just did a normal one with your OB, they would probably have to do another 20 week one. Let us know as soon as you know what you're having - I'm excited to hear!
Oh I would be upset as well, I would talk to your doctor about it and let them know how frustrating it was, that's the only way the doctor knows what is going on, and like I have to remind myself you hire and pay the doctor, they work for you, so just like anywhere if you aren't happy you need to let them know. I went to a Fetal Photos in Layton with Skye, I think it was like $60 for an hour ultrasound, I was not quite fourteen weeks and they told us what we were having, so if you can't get it figured out with the doctor look into that, they are open on the weekends....I hope you figure something out.
I totally understand the needing the 20 week ultrasound to get the measurements and everything and we would still get that. I have an appointment scheduled already for the 20 week one. All they have to do at this one is say, boy or girl. :) I know I do not know all the medical stuff, but mainly what I was so upset about is how I was treated.
I have always had my ultrasounds around 17 weeks. We've always been able to tell the sex of the baby and the insurance company has always covered them.
But I'd second the mall ultrasound idea.
(p.s. It's B2 for the headaches, not B12. you'll probably have to have the pharmacy order it for you but you don't need a prescription.)
i was always scared to have an ultrasound earlier than 20 weeks because of the stories i've heard. i'm sure it was the dr's office and not the actual baby but plenty of people i know have been told it's a girl and then go back for their 20 week and they find out they're having a boy! :-Z so i waited but i've also dealt with my ob's office and his staff isn't the greatest. his nurse told me i'd kill my baby if i missed a day or 2 of taking my prenatals. talk to your dr about it and they should work it out. my insurance also would only allow 2 ultrasounds, unless there were specific health concerns (which we had with Rian and had to go back for another one at 32 wks). i'd double check with your insurance just to make sure.....but of course they'll say it's just an estimate and never a definite covered benefit. GOOD LUCK!!!
I am so sorry. What a hard thing to have to deal with without your hubby there to tell you it will be ok and work out.
I hope they do the ultrasound and it works out for you guys!
Post a Comment