The Healthcare Experience: Most people who live with a chronic illness end up with a lot of experience when it comes to dealing with healthcare. How would you improve or change your healthcare experience? What would you like to see happening during medical visits with your healthcare team? How about when dealing with your health insurance companies? What’s your Healthcare…
Healthcare Hamster Wheel.
Healthcare, Infertility and Pregnancy, Psychosocial Support, Real Life DiabetesFor the last few years, doctor’s appointments have felt like an exercise in “checking the boxes.” Yeah, I called and made an appointment with my endocrinologist. Yeah, I had my A1C drawn and the result was either given to me that day or a week later by way of calling the clinic. Sure, I get weighed and we download my…
What would improve the healthcare experience for me, as a patient with multiple health conditions? I’m glad you asked. (You did actually ask, right?) A few things would help move things forward. Here’s a thought-purging because I happened to have coffee: Billing processes that make sense. For example, I received a refund for mail order pharmacy overpayment in the same…
Guest Post: E-Patient Dave Takes on T2D.
Blood Sugars, Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Online Community, Guest Diabetes Blogger, Healthcare, Real Life DiabetesDave deBronkart and I met several years ago through patient advocacy and online connection points, and I’ve followed his health story as he has simultaneously followed mine. Dave comes from the perspective of a cancer survivor who almost died and has turned his “free replay in life” into a crusade to open healthcare’s minds to the idea of partnering with…
I wish I knew more about a lot of things. Like dinosaurs. (Mostly because Birdzone keeps asking me about them and what their names are and what kind of foods they liked to eat, and I’m not as brushed up on my dinosaur details as I was back in second grade.) But there are things I truly wish I knew…
“Your appointment is at … at 2 pm.” “Yes.” “It’s 1.30 pm. You’re a little bit early.” The receptionist looked up at me. “No one is ever early.” “I was afraid that if I didn’t come early, I would have found a reason to skip the appointment entirely. I’m a little nervous about dental stuff,” I admitted, trying to stand…
Sitting on my desk at home, right now, is a bill for $2,390.00, covering test strips, pump supplies, and three doctor’s visits. I am paying this bill responsibly. I work a full time job. While I may despise my current employment, I stick with it in order to retain medical insurance. Let’s cut to the chase here: I wear an…