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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/8/2012 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if those of you with this illness had to change doctors many times. For example, if you've found a doctor that you feel comfortable with, have you been able to stick with that doctor for many years or did you have to change doctors due to the fact that he got transferred or something like that? I'm asking because when I used to live in the states, I found a really good doctor and stuck with him for many years, but because I had to move to Asia, I noticed that there is a law here that doctors have to be transferred every two years. I had one doctor prior to the one I have now and he had to get transferred and I didn't mind getting introduced to his replacement. When I was first introduced to my new doctor, I doubted him since he looked so young like he was around my age and I thought he may not be able to help me, but he has done so much for me and has always been there for me even when he was really busy. He would always make time to see me. Even when he's out, he comes running. I appreciate it so much, but I understand that he has to transfer next year (it's within the city). I don't know if I even want a new doctor again for another two years. I feel like the one I'm seeing now understands my condition the most and knows what to do and I was finally able to start trusting him about 6 months ago when I really went through a bad flare. I'm disappointed that I may lose him sad

Another thing I was wondering is whether or not the states or anywhere else has any medical benefits for this illness. Does the government help compensate some of the medication costs? Is there anything that you can apply for since medical expenses can get pretty high for this sort of illness. Does insurance cover for all medication and hospitalization costs or is there any particular form of insurance for UC?  

Posted 7/8/2012 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
     When I suffered with UP(proctitis) I saw one GI doctor most of the time.  He was the one who diagnosed me in the hospital back in 1998.  However, there were a few times when I didn't think he was treating my disease properly and I did seek a second and then a third opinion.  Amazingly, they all agreed on the same medications.  Since there is no cure for this disease, it's mostly trial and error.

     Before I went on Medicare (a year ago in August I turned 65), I had Personal Choice Pa. Blue Cross and Blue Shield....a fabulous health insurance.  I only had a $5 co-pay for all my doctor visits, no lab fees.  We also only had to pay 10% of our medication costs, which was a phenominal savings.  I had surgery, total colectomy with end ileostomy while still on Personal Choice, was hospitalized for 11 days because I had some minor complications and never had to put a penny out of pocket.  So glad I had that surgery before Medicare.  Medicare questions everything and if it isn't to their liking, they simply will NOT pay for it.  For all I know, maybe Medicare would feel the operation not necessary.  Glad to be rid of the disease.

     By the way, I live in New Jersey, USA.

Posted 7/8/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
The US is definitely not a place where you want to be if you have concerns about paying for treatment. Unless you qualify for government-subsidized health insurance (in my state, you have to be poor AND have kids or cancer), you are on your own. Insurance plans available for purchase vary- some cover everything, some cover next to nothing. The plans that cover everything are usually quite expensive and out of reach for most people unless the plan is sponsored by their employer. Furthermore, until 2014, insurers can charge people with pre-existing conditions much more than healthy individuals. If the Affordable Care Act (i.e. Obamacare) is repealed, insurers will still be able to charge more or refuse coverage to sick people. Medications are also much more expensive in the states than they are in other countries. There are some patient assistance programs offered by charities or by drug companies to help pay for medications but there is no guarantee that you qualify and they can revoke the assistance at any time. So, unless you have a job with good benefits, the USA is a hard place to be sick.

Is there any way you can just follow your dr to his new clinic?
Posted 7/12/2012 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
kloe - Yes, I agree that the US is a hard place to be sick. When I lived there, I had a very good job with very good benefits, but as insurance rates went up, I was forced to change to a less better one but I still had to pay about $60 per month for my pentasa along with other meds and doctor visit fees. At times, the insurance would refuse to pay some of the stuff.

I'm in Asia and we have insurance that is covered by the country (very much like the obamacare act) but we still pay each month for the insurance. When I go to the doctors, I pay 30% of the actual total costs, but since medications such as pentasa and the enemas are manufactured in the states, they are expensive. 

I wish I could follow my doctor to his new clinic, but I'm not sure whether he can transfer my file over sad Also, I learned that he was a trainee doctor so I'm not so sure what they will be having him do at his new office. Just praying that things will work out.....Anyway, thanks for taking the time out to respond to my post :) Appreciate it ;)

Posted 7/12/2012 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Christine - Sounds like you got really lucky. I'm assuming you're symptom free!
Posted 7/12/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
     Penny....yes, I am symptom free and very grateful I had such wonderful insurance.  My husband worked for Temple University in Philly for over 34 yrs before retiring in 2000.  Before he retired he had the option to prepay for our health insurance (this is no longer available to employees...not surprised).  So, when he retired at age 62 (I was only 54 at the time), we did not have to pay one dime out of pocket for insurance.  We had Personal Choice Pa Bl Cr and Bl Shield.  I was hospitalized in 2008 for 10 days for UP and had my operation in 2010 (11 day stay) and did not have to pay anything out of pocket.  When I suffered with the disease, I was on 6MP, then Remicade (it failed), then Humira (failed).  For my Remicade infusions I only had to pay a $5 co-pay, same with Humira.  Yes, I thank GOD we were so fortunate.  I feel so bad for people with crummy insurance or worse yet, no insurance.

     I wish I still had Personal Choice but when I turned 65 Medicare took over and that is taken from my Social Security.  I do not have to pay for my secondary insurance though....very lucky indeed.

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