Does anyone else just not go to the doctor?

[fisharmor]

I just read an argument that universal health coverage will drive down costs, because if people are covered they will get preventative checkups.

I have pretty good health coverage, and I don't go to the doctor.
The couple times I've been over the last decade, I've had to speak to a GP first, who simply didn't care about my problem.
The one time I had a skin problem that I HAD to get taken care of, I ended up seeing three doctors before I found one who recommended the right cream.

Who else just doesn't bother most of the time? And how much "preventative" medicine that the government thinks will solve everything, actually doesn't happen - and will never happen - because we foster a system where doctors get paid no matter what, and thus don't have any incentive to give a shit what happens to us?

Moreover, since I'm pretty much covered costs-wise if something that was preventable ends up being a serious problem, what economic reason do I have to waste my time with three different doctors every time I have a minor inconvenience?

 

[Elwar]

First time I went to the doctor was when I was 12, I broke my arm. Besides a few physicals in high school, it wasn't until I was in my 30s that I went to a doctor again...he gave me a quick check up, took some blood and that was it, told me to come back in 5 years or so unless something happened.

I've never taken any meds in my life, not even a Tylenol.

The only health insurance I'd want would be emergency type of insurance.

 

[ctiger2]

I don't have health insurance and I rarely visit the doctor. If I do need to go for some reason I've went to the Minute Clinic and just paid cash. Had a wart frozen and it cost me $75 total for visit and the liquid nitrogen. Took about 15 mins since I was the only one in line.

 

[LittleLightShining]

I have insurance but I only go if I know I need medicine. I know old people who go to the doctor for entertainment.

 

[Dieseler]

I haven't been to the doctor since I was 17.
I'm 41 now.

 

[paulpwns]

I refuse to go to the doctor.

Unless I am dying, I won't go.

I use my own medications to cure my various symptoms and ailments.

 

[MelissaWV]

I just read an argument that universal health coverage will drive down costs, because if people are covered they will get preventative checkups.

I have pretty good health coverage, and I don't go to the doctor.
The couple times I've been over the last decade, I've had to speak to a GP first, who simply didn't care about my problem.
The one time I had a skin problem that I HAD to get taken care of, I ended up seeing three doctors before I found one who recommended the right cream.

Who else just doesn't bother most of the time? And how much "preventative" medicine that the government thinks will solve everything, actually doesn't happen - and will never happen - because we foster a system where doctors get paid no matter what, and thus don't have any incentive to give a shit what happens to us?

Moreover, since I'm pretty much covered costs-wise if something that was preventable ends up being a serious problem, what economic reason do I have to waste my time with three different doctors every time I have a minor inconvenience?

Are you in fairly good health? You seem to be, from your description, therefore you're not likely to go to the doctor for every sniffle or problem. Some people have a family history or chronic issues that dictate they visit the physician a bit more often, if only to get tests run.

Now, the poor in general tend to be in poorer health. There are some reasons for this that should be fairly obvious, but others are just statistical trends; at any rate, there are issues many probably would get checked out, but it's "too expensive" to go. If universal health (a misnomer, but I digress) passes, then those people will go out and at very least get a checkup they've been putting off. Of those, some will find out they have high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, etc. If universal healthcare also encompasses things like prescriptions and dental and vision, then you will definitely see people going in for things they might have previously considered "elective" before. At the start of this new establishment of records, there will be a huge upswing in the number of blood tests, mammograms, and so on, because people will go out and get those things done that they haven't had in ages (if ever). Think of it almost like a stimulus, only you can't really train technicians instantly, so it will likely just create a backlog and a lot of potential for errors.

 

[Kotin]

only for emergencies.. which has never happened, so no.

 

[dannno]

I must have gone to the doctor hundreds and hundreds of times when I was a kid.

It was probably because my parents regularly fed me lots of dairy and I had problems with allergies, asthma, ear infections related to congestion and I'll bet most of those cases of strep throat I had came about because of congestion as well.

So basically I got tens of thousands of dollars worth of treatment.. because of a DIETARY issue. NOT a medical issue.

Now I never go to the doctor unless I absolutely HAVE TO. Haven't been in years. I still eat a good amount of dairy, but only when I feel like it. I don't eat it in my cereal for breakfast, then in a carton from school and then forced to finish my glass of milk at dinner and then ice cream or whatever... GOD DAMN MILK CAMPAIGN.. I was tricked into it, too. I wanted to grow up to be big and strong and have a hot girlfriend, so I drank my milk.

If we want to prevent diseases we need to start with our diet. Get back to more organic, whole foods.

I blame America's health problems squarely on the FDA, which is why Ron Paul is such a great person for opposing this awful institution.

 

[Bodhi]

I know old people who go to the doctor for entertainment.

When I was working for the VA I noticed the same thing, but not just old people.

 

[emazur]

I haven't been to the doctor for the last 13 years except when I went to the bone and joint clinic when I sprained my elbow (I paid a modest fee in cash), and to the eye doctor to get new contacts/glasses. I was going to go to the doctor when I got pink eye, but instead when to the drug store and asked them what they had for pink eye, and that worked fine. I don't go the eye doctor anymore for contacts - their prescription was too weak, so now I order the strength I want from a place that don't give a crap about prescriptions.

The only health insurance I'd want is major medical / emergency insurance.

 

[haaaylee]

last time i went to the doctor the doctor sent in a new girl who could barely speak english to numb me and then drain an abscess. apparently she thought you numb everywhere around the abscess, but not on it. so i was stuck with a huge needle with no numbing. then she didnt know what she was doing and the doctor comes in and i tell him that i wasnt numbed, so he tries. still not numbed but again stuck with needle. finally they figure it out. that cost me about $400. i never paid it. i should have taken my boyfriend's advice and done it myself. but i did get some vicodin out of it. . .


i've never wanted to see a doctor since.


natural remedies for things seem to work just fine.

 

[constituent]

I just read an argument that universal health coverage will drive down costs, because if people are covered they will get preventative checkups.

I guess, if preventative checkups were free...

 

[angelatc]

There's absolutely no evidence to prove that Prev. visits save any money. It's just a talking point the Dems made up.

 

[brandon]

I rarely go...although I do have a bad habit of ending up in the ER every 2-3 years. Appendicitis, Spleen lacerations, wrist lacerations, etc....

I've had insurance my whole life though...My dad worked hard to provide for the family and now I work hard to provide for myself.

 

[MelissaWV]

There's absolutely no evidence to prove that Prev. visits save any money. It's just a talking point the Dems made up.

Very, very true. In fact, "preventive care" visits cost more money, because they feed the psychology that you should get tested for everything, every time, regardless of family or personal medical history. In the short term, they would cost a LOT of money because people WILL rush out to take care of things they'd been "letting slip" when they would have had to pay out of pocket. I wonder how bad the incidence of mistakes will be

 

[MelissaWV]

I rarely go...although I do have a bad habit of ending up in the ER every 2-3 years. Appendicitis, Spleen lacerations, wrist lacerations, etc....

I've had insurance my whole life though...My dad worked hard to provide for the family and now I work hard to provide for myself.

The epidermal lacerations cost about $300 at the ER At least, the one I had in my arm did... steri-strips, tetanus shot... it was icky. That one was out of pocket. I found it strange that it cost very little more than the full, uninsured price of seeing a doctor for bronchitis a few months later (doctor's visit was $200+).

 

[youngbuck]

Other than when I went to the doctors for an ear infection or whatever 6> years old, and the couple times I've needed stitches, I've not gone to the doctor. There's just no reason to go. If you tell them you have something wrong, you're likely to walk out with a harmful prescription that'd only address the symptoms anyway.

 

[Son of Detroit]

I have to go every year for my physical or else I can't play sports for my school. But even when I'm done with school/sports I'll probably go every year for a general checkup. Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

[MelissaWV]

Other than when I went to the doctors for an ear infection or whatever 6> years old, and the couple times I've needed stitches, I've not gone to the doctor. There's just no reason to go. If you tell them you have something wrong, you're likely to walk out with a harmful prescription that'd only address the symptoms anyway.

That home-MRI/PET/CAT scan kit I ordered hasn't gotten here yet! Nor did the "do it yourself biopsy" or "full blood and urinalysis" EZ-bake oven

Some people do have a reason or two or three or fifty to go, but most people really go for the dumbest reasons and make it far more difficult for other folks to take care of their routine business. That's only going to get worse. Much, much worse.