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'via Blog this'It was frustrating to think I had been walking around this way because I wanted to avoid the medical expenses. It was also frustrating that the woman who rear-ended me seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth. But I have not had second thoughts about not waiting for the police. I find it harder to face the idea that I would have been responsible for keeping that woman from raising her child in this country.
It has been several weeks since I went to the doctor and they never got back to me. I called several times and no one ever answered the phone or returned a message. Needing to begin my healing process, I spoke with my parents — both of whom have worked in the medical field — and my mother gave me some advice on getting good, affordable care.
Step one, she said, was finding a good primary care physician. She made a list of doctors she thought I might like and I was lucky enough that my first choice took me as a new patient. Step two was knowing about the discount that comes with immediate “self pay.” If you pay for the appointment in full at the time of service, many doctors give a discount. In my case, I saved 40 percent.
Step three was knowing about professional third-party vendors through which I could order my own lab work, save money and take the results to the doctor. This is the process I went through, and it turned out my liver is fine — although I have a severely bruised rib that hasn’t healed because I haven’t slowed down enough to let it heal. The doctor prescribed pain cream but I never filled the prescription. I prefer natural steps, so I’m conducting more meetings through Skype, doing a little less running around, and asking for help carrying things.
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