Medical Insurance Frustrations

I was in tears yesterday morning. 😥Tears of frustration, anger, hurt, fear, anxiety. What happened, you might ask?

I made a simple phone call. To try to schedule an appointment to see a dermatologist. Because I found a concerning spot and knew I needed to get in sooner than later. But, even though I’m an established patient with this dermatologist and have seen him several times in the past 10 or so years, he no longer takes my secondary insurance. And therefore, won’t even see me! What?? How does this even make sense?

Oh, I get it. I really do. I really can see both sides of this issue (insurances & payments and Doctors, oh my). And that is part of why it’s so frustrating. But, honestly I don’t have the mental energy to get into it right now, so back to me…

I have fair skin. I have red(dish) hair. I lived near the Equator for 5 years & spent a lot of time outside. All these factors make me at a higher risk for skin cancer. It does run in the family and I have had several precancerous spots on my face & arms (the worst was a freckle I had cut out of my lip back in 2011…..the WORST!) I am diligent in watching for concerning spots, and knew that I needed to get back in to the dermatologist soon to have some spots looked at & start treatment (again).

However, even though I knew this needed to happen, I’ve been putting it off because of any (OK all) of the following: I’m too busy. It’s going to be painful and embarrassing and I’d rather not deal with it.

OK – I’m dealing with it. As soon as I can find a dermatologist that will take our insurance…and wait the many months it will take to get in.

Thus the tears. Yes, it’s a little spot. Yes, if you catch it early, it is fine and can be treated (probably). But, it’s still easy to be afraid, isn’t it? It’s still painful and will only become more so. And you do hear stories of people who have had to have huge portions of their noses cut off due to fast spreading skin cancer.

I’m not trying to be dramatic and I don’t assume the worst. I’m just trying to be real. And honest. I hate pain. Even though I deal with pain on a constant, daily, non-stop basis, it doesn’t mean that I want more! 😏

P.S…I have an appt with a new dermatologist a lot closer than my previous one & I only have to wait 5 weeks for the appt!!