Cast On, Let the Healing Begin!

Yesterday Helen and I went to the orthopedic surgeon to have a cast put on her broken ankle.

It was an interesting, not that pleasant, experience, but the cast is on and that's the important part. The whole process took about two hours, filling out paperwork and waiting, waiting, waiting to finally see the doctor, Steven Sanders. He was an arrogant jerk and didn't really do anything for Helen. An assistant, Edward, actually applied the cast and was the friendliest person we encountered during the process.

While waiting in the lobby, another patient came in and wanted to see Dr. Sanders about scheduling a surgery. Everyone in the lobby could overhear the exchange when the guy, who had an appointment, asked to talk to the doc. One of the female staffers said he would have to pay the $45 co-pay just to see the doc and schedule the surgery. "We're a FOR PROFIT office," she said. That spoke volumes about their priorities and their interest in patient care.

The guy loudly refused to pay just to set up his surgery and he stormed out. A few minutes later he returned and demanded his x-rays, apparently heading off for a new ortho surgeon.

We paid our $45 co-pay and finally got to see Dr. Sanders. He was arrogant and curt. No bedside manner at all.

Helen and I were aware that our insurance will not cover the cost of this. But the staff was not used to dealing with our Priority Health policy and let us go with just the $45 co-pay. Eventually we'll have to cover the cost, but at least we got the cast on. Helen has to go back in a week and they'll probably hit us with a whopping bill at that time. By then, I hope to receive some money coming in...

To celebrate the casting, Helen wanted some Mexican fastfood from Del Taco. She opted for two steak tacos, while I had a chicken quesadilla and one steak taco. And today, I need to go get another painkiller prescription for her and pick up some groceries. So our LV adventure continues...