As mentioned a couple of months ago, I'm currently lacking health insurance. When Sam left his job, we lost our coverage, and we can't afford COBRA, or buying insurance on our own. We're pretty healthy people, so I don't usually sit up at night worrying about it. But I wanted to make sure MrMan was covered, so I applied for Medicaid for him. It was a pretty easy process, though there was a point at which I got some insight into why some poor people in America act the way they do (or at least have the stereotype of acting that way) - because of the way in which they are treated. Or I guess it would be more fair to say that the two - acting and treatment - feed off of each other.
When I went to the Medicaid office, I wasn't treated like a real person. The woman behind the desk wasn't wooed by MrMan, or any of the other kids accompanying their parents, and all their cuteness. I wasn't there because I did anything wrong. I was there because I was trying to do something right: make sure that my child has access to care, to allow him to grow up as healthily as possible.
Yesterday, I called MrMan's pediatrician to make appointments for his flu shot, and his 12-month visit. I made the latter with the first person I spoke with. She told me that for the former, I needed to call the main number again and speak with a nurse. So, when I called the nurse and said why I was calling, her first question was, "What kind of insurance do you have?" When I answered, "Medicaid," her response was that there was a waiting list. I asked what that meant and she said that they currently don't have vaccine available and that she could take my name and number and call me when they have some, and no, they don't know when that will be. I gave her my info and then asked, if I had a different kind of insurance, would there be vaccine available. She answered no, but I don't know if I believe her. I know there is stock in the city, as another baby we know got his flu shot last week. I'm considering having another family member call again and answer her first question differently. It just seems like a strange question to ask if everyone is being treated the same.
It reminded me of when I was in public health school, and received health care at a clinic downtown. It was frequented by students and other members of the community. I remember noticing the disparity between the treatment I received and the that received by another woman. The doctor knew that I was a student and had a conception of all that that meant. He had a different notion of the other woman. Yes, part of it is the assumption that if someone is in public health school, she will understand more medical jargon. But, just because someone doesn't have a particular education, or social or economic standing, does not mean they aren't deserving of kindness. Or a flu shot.
Posted by Shokufeh at November 1, 2006 10:02 AMThat is so unfair & wrong. I haven't heard anything about flu shots being in short supply. My doc didn't want to give Lexi one this year. He said he likes to wait until they are a little older, but I got one. Have you tried a Walgreens or CVS? It usually costs about $20. I don't know if they give them to babies though.
Posted by: Freckle Face Girl at November 1, 2006 01:53 PMHey there. I stumbled upon your blog through hairyalien. I had to reply to this post. I am a professor of social work so I have a little insight into this topic. First of all, you are right that poor folks are treated horribly at federal relief agencies. Second, it is illegal for your doctor to withold any form of treatment that he make availables to other patients because of your insurance. They can tell you that you will have to pay extra but they absolutely cannot reserve vaccination dosages for people with better insurance. If this has occured you should contact the American Medical Assosciation, and the state liscensing board. The problem with a place like New Orleans is that the social service industry has been over extended by efforts around Katrina and many of the day to day checks and balances in the system have been neglected. Good luck!
Posted by: Dorian at November 1, 2006 03:51 PMHey, that's my friend, Dori! Shokufeh, I totally feel for you. A few years ago I was without insurance and I signed up for COBRA because it was the lowest-stress solution and having been laid off, it looked good to me. Needless to say, the monthly payment to my insurance carrier about bankrupted me within a month or two. I had a great experience with ehealthinsurance.com. They had tons of plans to choose from, including some with really low co-pays and/or deductibles, and you could compare plans online. And when I called their 800 number to get some help translating the mumbo-jumbo of a few policies, an actual person picked up and walked me through it. Don't know if it's the same now, but it was great then.
As for the treatment you received from the Medicaid office and your pediatrician's office, boo! MrMan is so lucky to have a smart mom who's looking out not only for his health but also for social justice.
In my experience with the state I live in, you would be treated the same way and that is a shame. I worked at a Adoption Agency and at times, when the girl who handled Medicaid was swamped, would travel down to the office to obtain insurance for the Moms and babies. It was a very degrading experience. I obviously walked in dressed very professionally and still felt disrespected. You were just herded through all the lines only to finally sit down with a frustrated worker. A lot of times though, I would just here that the t wasn't crossed right so I had to start over and sit for another hour. A lot of the women who came to our Agency were just so fed up and confused by the system that they hadn't received any prenatal care. Calling the doctor's office to schedule an appointment was always another can of worms. They always had open availability until I mentioned that my client was covered under Medicaid, their tones would changed immediately.
My point? Your experience was not unique unfortunately.
Posted by: Emily at November 2, 2006 07:05 AMI work at a healthcare consulting firm and we had to do a project where we called various physician's offices and gave fictitious names with various insurance coverage and tried to make an appointment for well and sick visits. At first I was thinking that this is so 007 and such a fun project. It was terrible. The same people that set up appointment for me as a Blue Cross Blue Shield patient and were sweet etc., where the devil's spawn when I said my insurance was Medicaid. Really sad but true. The up side was that the hospital inititated the project to ensure that this exact thing wasn't happening so I suppose some organizations do care.
Posted by: Mouzhan at November 2, 2006 08:50 PMHave to delurk to tell you what I heard on the radio here in D.C. A bunch of flu vaccine clinics have been cancelled here due to a shortage in supply. Sounds like a recent discovery. Not all doctors run out of vaccine at the same time, so that might explain why your friends' baby got the shot last week but why you can't get it this week. I hope this is what is truly going on with you, too, and not an act of discrimination. Good luck!
Posted by: Christina at November 3, 2006 08:51 AMI hope you get a shot for Mr.Man!
Posted by: Linda at November 4, 2006 05:08 AM