do you feel that people on medicaid are discriminated against at the doctors office?

Question

I just wanted some thoughts on this. When I had my son I couldnt afford the doctor bills and I found out I qualified for Medicaid. Throughout my whole pregnancy it always seemed like I wasnt treated as throughly and as fairly as everyone else. I found out after I requested my medical records that I almost had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy and was not told anything. My mom, who has worked for several doctors, told me that usually Medicaid patients are either ignored, told that are no appointments avaliable, put on a waiting list, or hurried in and out of the office during their visit. Im about to start trying for my second child with my husband, and we qualify for Medcaid, but I want to get great medical attention and be told if I might have things like diabetes. So, what do yall think?

Answer 1

The MD I used had seperate days.. Medicaid patients got seen on Wed and the other days insurance patients were seen... So yes definately.. They have changed that now but when I went into labor, the DOC let it go too long.. my son went into distress and he did nothing to help.. I should have had a C section...but he was afraid he wouldn't get paid.. and he treated me like SH IT.. "hurry up and push .. I got other patients who need me more".. My family doc here treats me like any other patient (but most of his patients are on Medicare/Medicaid).. Medicaid only pays them about 70% of their usual charges if that much so the MDS don't care.

I have been in the hospital numerous times and so has my mom.. they tell u when u check in that nobody knows ur payment method.. BS... My mom begged for pain meds for over 4 hours until I got nasty with them..then they brought it.. she had no insurance.. Her roommate had insurance and there was a nurse in that room every 30 minutes wanting to know if she needed anything..walking right by my mom who was crying in pain.

U may have to ask around at who the good docs R and hope they treat u with respect.. GL

Answer 2

I had medicaid with all 3 of my pregnancies, no its not that we can't afford our family, its that I am otherwise "uninsurable" (long story, basically I have undiagnosed MS)
In my first pregnancy I felt totally discrimnated against, I was forced to see a nurse-practicioner only, she dropped the ball on my care and nearly cost me my baby. I traveled to another city for better doctors, but unfortunatly that got me a worse hospital where they put me thourgh a horrible birth with a stcuk baby for FOUR hours all to avoid a costly c-section. I STILL have nightmares from it.
By the time i had my second two kids the sheer amount of complaints in my small town had forced changes to the system and the loacal family practicioners office now took the pregnant medicaid (Medi-cal) patients. With this new place I recieved excellent care, all tests I needed in my complicated second pregnancy and all the ultrasounds I needed when they suspected my baby was big in my third (he was 8lbs 10 ozs.)

But you want discrimnation? Far worse then medicaid is NO INSURANCE at all. I once suffered a miscarrige and the local ER told me that I was "Just having my period" and sent me on my way. I ended up nearly bleeding out.

Bottom line, its is ILLEGAL to discriminate against a patient if they have medicaid. Do your homework. Ask around, chances are if you live in a bigger community that I do you probably have at least 2-3 choices of health care providers who accept medicaid. Never let them push you aroud, it is your responsibility to know your rights.

Also, just because someone can't afford health coverage doesn't mean they don't deserve a family. I can't afford to cover myself to the tune of 1200.00+ a month, but all my bills are paid, my kids are fed and clothed, and we don't recieve a drop of assistance in the form of cash or other welfare/foodtsamps.

Sure medicaid only pays a portion of what the hospital charges, but if the charges were not inflated so badly the figures would add up much more nicely.

One example.

My standard 20 weeks Level II Untrasound was billed out at 432.00
medi-cal paid 97.00
I found out from a friend in billing that in order to make ends meet and make a profit (assuming everyone actually paid) the ultrasound should only cost about 135.00

go figure.

Answer 3

I do not work in a medical office but I can see that happening for some reason. I don't have Medicaid so I can't say I was discriminated against, however, I know my cousin received excellent care during her pregnancy. She was on Medicaid and went to a primarily Medicaid office. She ended up having to be sent to a larger hospital when there were complications though and I guess she could only stay a certain number of nights because of her insurance but that's the only thing I know.

I'm sorry if you feel you were discriminated. If you wanted to I'm sure there are legal steps you could take in order to make sure this doesn't happen to another Medicaid user. Best of Luck!

Answer 4

I am disabled and on Medicare, I lost my alternate insurance so, I don't have prescriptions anymore and have to ask for samples. Due to pain all the time and a debilitating disease I am at the doctors all the time. They always fit me in, only if they are so full do I have to wait for more then a day or two and then they apologize for it. The many doctors I see for specialized problems are and, always have been apologetic, serious and intent of helping me with my many problems. I have always felt like I was the only patient in the room. I can't agree with you however it could be the doctor or the aids or, your own attitude, sorry.

Answer 5

I had medicaid (we call it badgercare) for both of my pregnancies, and I've always had excellent care. I think it depends on the doctor, if you weren't treated fairly the first time around, get a new one. There are lots of nice ones out there! Besides, the hospital or clinic the doctor works at pays their salaries, not the insurance company. Doctors can care less what insurance you have, the only ones who know are the receptionists and they could care less too. I know this because I work in healthcare, and my mom works at a clinic for a doctor and she tells me everything.

Answer 6

I had to be on medicaid when my second child was born and there is a big difference! I would get private insurance if at all possible! When my water broke w/ my daughter my placenta tore from my uterus and no one knew anything was wrong until I delivered the placenta. Long story short my daughter was put in ICU because she ingested the blood and meconium. And I was told afterward that I should have had an emergency c-section.
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Getting medical care without causing financial harm to your family is crucial. Although some docs may treat patients different, not all do. I suggest finding Dr. who treats you the same. Some Dr. offices don't accept medicaid so that can be a hurdle. If there is a medical condition that doesn't get treated, the dr. should be held accountable.

Answer 8

i am on medical assistance right now with this pregnancy and my doctors have never treated me or my daughters differently because of it. I go to Mayo hospital though and I think that the doctors who are treating the patients have no idea what kind of insurance we have, the billing and records department takes care of all of that. I believe that measure is in place to prevent discrimination because of insurance. It works for this hospital and series of clinics and i feel all hospitals should take on this way of business.

Answer 9

That sucks! I was on Medicaid during my first pregnancy and I'm not during this pregnancy and the doctor treats me the same. Maybe it is b/c I live in a small town.

Answer 10

I work in a Doctor's office, and it discrimination doesn't always happens - but it does happen A LOT.

The reason is, Medicaid pays the doctor's ALMOST NOTHING - I'm not lying - it's literally pennies, and that's WHEN they actually pay.

The kind of Medicaid discrimination I see the most, are doctor's who simply refuse to accept it.