What???? Do these people work on commission???

[Brightsky69]

I am pissed again guys.  Three days ago I got my 2nd PD cathather put in place. Somehow my 1st PD cathather got a tunnel infection.....at not even 1 week old. I never even touched it. How i think it happened...I will keep to my self.
Long story short....I wanted to go to a "certain" dialysis clinic when I was first told i would have to start dialysis. This clinic is closer to home and is basically a straight shot to work and to home. A nicer commute.  it's like 15 minutes to my home and the clinic. But everyone I told this to said the same thing "OH but your doctor doesn't practice there...you would have to see another doctor." Now it's the same practice just a different set of doctors. Whats the big deal?? So like a dummy I let them all talk me into going to the clinic where my regular neph practices. Do these people work on commission or something? So I ended up with a big tunnel infection.
I have spend the past few months on hemo dialysis. When I was getting ready to get my 2nd PD cathather put into place I started arrangements to get my butt moved over to the clinic i ORIGINALLY wanted to go to. No problem....up until tonight. The PD nurse at my current clinic looks at me like she has NO idea that i wanted to move to this other clinic. When in fact i told her that I was planning to move a couple weeks ago. Then i explained that the other clinic is a much easier commute for me and it saves me a good 15 minute drive. Then all I get is "Why do you want to move?? Your here already..." I told her AGAIN that the commute would be much easier on me. She says.. "Oh but you only have to come in twice a month after your trained."  I don't have to explain my self to her. Is she working on commission or something??  If i say i want to move to another clinic because it's easier for me than that should be the end of the discussion. Am I wrong here?

[kitkatz]

 


Some people just do not get it, do they?

[Brightsky69]

You got that right kitkatz. But that is OK......she doesn't have to get it. It's just gonna happen. I plan on calling my new clinic on Monday and getting it stright with them. 

[peleroja]

You're the patient.  What you say goes.  Period.  End of Report.

[willieandwinnie]

  Lord, why can't they make things easier on the patient? 

[Brightsky69]

Nothing pisses me off more when someone tries to take advantage of my easy going nature and tries to bully me into doing something.

[nursewratchet]

Choice of clinic is exactly that.  Choice of clinic.  Patient choice.  The Dr. is no big deal, people move all the time, because of whatever.  If you work and have private insurance, that would be why they want to keep you there.  But is is ALWAYS your choice.  Get it done.

[Brightsky69]

I do work and have private insurance. I've already decided to pay a visit to my new clinic on Monday morning and get everything straight. I am just tired of dealing with this.

[kitkatz]

You go!  Make sure you get the best care possible for you!

[okarol]

I believe that centers are paid more by private insurers, so they like to hang on to those patients. At least that's the way it was when Jenna was in-center, but perhaps it has changed?

[willieandwinnie]

I know FMC likes private insurance. They never informed us that Len could apply for Medicare for almost 2 years. Pisses me off to think about it. 

[okarol]

I believe that centers are paid more by private insurers, so they like to hang on to those patients. At least that's the way it was when Jenna was in-center, but perhaps it has changed?

My husband just said "They want to hang on to ALL patients - no center wants a drop in monthly income."

[twirl]

you are right
so go to the closer clinic
it is your business how many times you will have to come to the clinic
who knows when gas will sky rocket again

[nursewratchet]

I believe that centers are paid more by private insurers, so they like to hang on to those patients. At least that's the way it was when Jenna was in-center, but perhaps it has changed?

My husband just said "They want to hang on to ALL patients - no center wants a drop in monthly income."

  Not necessarily.  If you are a medicare only patient, the center actually loses money every treatment.  That is why the private insurance is such a big deal, they can help pay for the medicare only patients, as well as make some money on the privates.  The private insurance floats the whole clinic.  To lose a private pay pt. is a big deal for them, but they can't stop it, it's patient choice.

[Brightsky69]

I knew there was a reason I was "getting talked out of it". I knew there had to be a $$$$ motive. Well....whatever...this other clinic is closer for me and that is where i am going first thing Monday morning.

[okarol]

Ask the new place questions, like if you can eat or drink while being treated. I hope you can get trained at the new place and the PD goes well. Good luck!

[swramsay]

I began dialysis in September after the removal of my second kidney. The center I went to was 45 minutes away which is no big deal (Northwest Kidney Center). I had a huge problem with the control they forced over my schedule plus several other problems. One Friday session was the last straw and I told them I would probably have to be back on Monday but that would be my last day.  I switched to a different center (Davita) a bit closer to home. I got a nephrologist assigned to me immediately at the new center. My previous nephrologist could have gotten privileges at my new center but she is retiring next month. A month and a half has gone by since I began at Davita and I have not yet been able to meet with the assigned nephrologist. I called her office several times with disturbing symptoms only to be told I could see her in a month. Her staff was cold and rude.

I found a new nephrologist this week. He is actually the partner of my original one back in Seattle. He is in the process of getting privileges now at the center I am at which will only take a couple of days. I am very happy about that. He shares the same assistant as my first nephrologist and she's incredible. Assistants are so very important especially since they are the ones you have to deal with 80% of the time sometimes. Usually, good doctors have good assistants. I have found a strong correlation between the quality of office staff and medical assistants to the quality of the medical practice. I am more than happy to go to Seattle for my appts. especially since the rest of my doctors are in Seattle.

Bottom line is, if you want to change places just do it. You can be assigned a temporary nephrologist immediately until the one you want does the paperwork for privileges. It's no big deal. They do it all the time. You may not get the schedule you want at first but that should be temporary.

[Brightsky69]

What is with these people?!!!?  AGAIN I get the runaround from my new clinic. They don't even bother to set up a date for me to come in and get my transfer set put on or for me to come in to see SOMEONE so they could even check out my exit site. I HAVE to chase these sorry excuse for PD nurses down just to find out what the heck is going on. And even then they don't tell me anything!!!! All I get is "OH we'll.... see you at the end of the moth sometime.

I JUST found out that Davita is YANKING my chain.  They don't want me to MOVE to another clinic. My boyfriend called Davita guest services and asked why I was getting the run around. The woman he talked to said "Why doesn't she just stay where she is...it would be allot easier." THIS same woman LOOKED ME in the FACE when i said I wanted to moved "OH no problem...we'll get right on that, don't worry about a thing."

It's OVER!!! I am starting from scratch and find a whole different dialysis clinic. It and it's WONT be Davita. And while I am at it...I am going to find a totally different kidney practice. I SHOULD NOT be going through this MESS. I have no appointments to see ANYONE to get anthing done.
I am ready to call a lawyer....or at least get someone fired.  I am OVER IT!

[Brightsky69]

I am finally going to my new clinic. A simple request like moving has turned into a fiasco. I had to make a thousand different phone calls. I had to get ugly and call people I didn't want to bother with this drama. All this after I asked over a month ago to please move to to another clinic. Not until I start calling the big bosses do I get any action.

My eyes have truely been open to the whole "dialysis system". It's just a corporation like anything else. No one cares.   

[nursewratchet]

I know FMC likes private insurance. They never informed us that Len could apply for Medicare for almost 2 years. Pisses me off to think about it. 

  @ years is the time frame for private insurance to pay.  You are eligable for Medicare as soon as you are on dialysis.  But private insurance will pay for 2 years, it's called the "COB" or Coordination of Benefits.  They want you to use your private pay first, because it pays at such a high rate.  All the clinics LOVE the private insurance.

[nursewratchet]

OOPS!  I meant to push 2 instead of @.  See above post!  Damn typing!

[paddbear0000]

I'm worried that my neph is going to try to force me to do dialysis down at the hospital he works at. It is an hour away from me in Cincinnati! He's already told me I have to have my vein mapping done at his hospital, and the surgery can only be done by the one vascular surgeon that they refer patients to. The surgeon is also located in Cincinnati, but at a different hospital (no affiliation with the neph's hospital). That I don't have a problem with, I will if he says I have to do dialysis down there. I'll find another neph real quick (the 4th one in the 4 years I've been in Ohio!). There is an excellent dialysis center right here in Dayton. It's even right down the road from us, and is affiliated with one of the nation's top ranked hospitals.

[monrein]

So Paddbear, you just stand your ground and tell him what would be better for you.  I would also try to visit the unit near to you and ask questions about them accepting you there so you can have all the info you need when the time comes to discuss that possibility with your neph.  For the fistula surgery, go to wherever has the best vascular surgeon with the most experience in creating the life-sustaining little beastie.

[boxman55]

I am with monrein a 110%...Boxman

[Brightsky69]

I am starting at my new clinic today. It's still Davita  But from what I saw of this new clinic it's much nicer and "CLEAN". I am sure everyone has "talked" and I could be walking in there with a reputation. But that's OK..they don't have to like me they just need to do their job. And everything will be fine.
I'll have to let you guys know how it goes over there. We shall see.....