Annoyed with van drivers!

[pagandialysis]

My pickup time for the medical transport is between 9:15 am and 9:45 am. At 9:44 am I get a phone call from my driver asking me if I am still going to dialysis today. I told him "Yes, I don't feel like dying this week. So, unless I call and tell you I don't need a ride please assume that I do need to be picked up." I am getting a little ticked off lately. I already had to fire the transport company that only takes me on Saturday for never showing up.

To make it worse the Saturday company tried to send me a bill instead of Medicaid. I had to call and tell them that I knew Medicaid had already paid them and that even if they didn't I wasn't going to pay for a service that was never there on time. I can understand being a little late but I HAVE to be at the clinic by 11 am or they call other people and tell them there is an open chair and ask them if they want to come have an extra treatment.

 

[Rerun]

I know in my state, WA, if you qualify for Medicaid you get free taxi service if the van can't come. 

Ask your social worker about that.

[Riki]

I've had that problem too.  A disability transport service takes me to dialysis.  There are days when they are late, but last summer, they forgot me once a week.  I was told that it was the fault of the new guy in the office, but still.  It can't be that hard to put me on schedule for a one-way drive 3 times a week.

I've had to report a couple of drivers lately.  Actually, I think it's the same one.  He'd come into my driveway, and honk the horn.  I think it was his silent protest, thinking that I shouldn't be using the service, because I don't look disabled.  What he didn't know, and he should have, is that I'm legally blind as well as on dialysis, so I do qualify for the service.  I also complained about him a few weeks ago.  He was driving me into dialysis, and, in a driving rain storm, he was talking on the phone, trying to arrange musicians for a float in a parade.  I was so pissed, that as soon as he dropped me off, I called his boss.  Besides the fact that use of a cell phone while driving is illegal, (and he was joking to whoever he was talking to about ducking the cops) but in a driving rainstorm, it's really dangerous.  I certainly didn't put my body through all the crap it's been through in the last 7 years to stay alive, only to die in a car accident because the driver of my transport was talking on the phone

[sullidog]

Yes, that is a big problem with transport companies, talking on the phone, and never on time, and this is partly the centers fault, but in another post I stated, you get left if you are not off the machine at the scheduled off time.

[jbeany]

You would think the "Medical" in their own name would be a clue that the rides are important... 

[pagandialysis]

You would think the "Medical" in their own name would be a clue that the rides are important... 

Yeah but they do non-medical things for seniors as well.

I am ticked off today. He told me he wouldn't be here until about 10:20am. I told him to forget it I would have my wife take me. This upset him for some reason. I told him "Remember Tuesday? I wasn't going to be ready until 4pm and you couldn't pick me up then so I had to call my wife to pick me up because you dropped me off an hour late. Dialysis takes four hours. If I am late an hour getting there I will be late an hour leaving."

I might try this cab thing next week. Are you suppose to tip them or something? I have only been in a cab once and the Airplane company paid for it.

[sullidog]

I would also talk to your social worker about your transportation issues.
I use cabs every once in a while, you don't have to tip them but if they are good then it's probably a good idea.

[Riki]

Talking on the phone or texting is illegal in my province.

I really think this driver doesn't believe that I should qualify for a disability transport, because I"m not in a wheelchair.  At least he doesn't sit in the driveway and honk anymore

[lmunchkin]

Oh Lord, thanks for bringing this up Pagan!  There is no way in Hell I would ever let my husband ride one of those darn things.  I saw how they treated patients and let them know I did not appreciate their dropping them off in wheelchairs and having them wheel into the clinic themselves!  Then wait out front for them to come out without any assistances!  Im serious folks, this sickened me that people who get paid to do a service, and they don't do it!

I don't remember any one of them offering a hand to a patient!  My husbands kids, back when he went to In-center, told me that I should have him use this service instead of taking him all the time! That upset me, but I just told them that I didnt mind taking and picking him up, and they would not have to worry about it!  They have no clue!  I love them and all, but they have no idea what it is like for these wonderful people who suffer this disease. Heck, they don't come around at all and very seldom call! 

No, these Access rides and all is only out for the money and that is it. No heart at all! When J. went In-Center, he was like 2nd shift, I would take him in and once he was taken back, I would give some folks a ride home cause they would be waiting on their Van or Bus!  That was another huge reason for doing D. at home!

If I did not work for a great group of people at my job (they are fantastic), I would love to drive a van and take these wonderful people to and from Dialysis Center.  Heck, if I could, I would do NxStage  on them in my own home!  But I don't think the Medical world would like that!!  LOL

Yea, this service needs lots of improvements!!!  Like attitude adjustments to start off with!  Good Grief!!!!

lmunchkin

 

[daveosaurus]

Down with transport companies. A pox on them!

[Riki]

The one that I use is not a "company."  It's a charity.  I pay $21 a week to go to dialysis with them, where it would cost that much or more for one cab ride.  Because my disability is invisible (I'm legally blind as well), some think that using services that are provided for the disabled is an abuse on my part.  I tend to get dirty looks when I sit in the disabled seats on a bus, or my mom parks in a disabled parking spot

[Dannyboy]

Sheeesh.
I am able to drive myself to/from, but I hear others in the Center talking about transport issues.    One local company has a great reputation for 'waiting' and 'being on time', but another will just strand a patient if they are not ready at the designated 'time', requiring them to call and make a fresh appointment.   

My heart goes out to those that have to deal with this added level of 'BS', on top of the joys of Dialysis to begin with.
---Dan