A Day at PHC

07-04-2010 Sunday

Spending an entire day at a hospital is probably not on your list of 'things to do during a vacation leave', neither did I want that but what choice do I have? This is the only day I have to see a cardiologist so I made the most out of it.

For those of you whose not yet aware, I'll share this one fact about my health: I'm born with a congenital heart problem. My last check-up was eons ago, since in my case, there's really no need for constant check up unless there's gonna be a major change in my body system which is something that I'm experiencing now so I need to make sure I'll be able to live longer, without any health complications in the future.

Before going to Philippine Heart Center, I've thought of what I'm going to say to the cardiologist to make it look like I'm not aware of my heart problem, and to make him request a 2D-echo test for me. See the problem is, I've tried many times to get my 2D-echo approved to be covered by Medicard, a healthcare benefit that I have thru my company, but they kept on declining it because they don't cover a pre-existing sickness. My colleagues told me I shouldn't declare it on my next check-up, so that's what I did today.

My doctor is this old man with thinning grey hair, whom I first thought was the quiet grandpa type but he proved me first impressions aren't always accurate. I sat on the chair in front of his desk, with my hands nervously placed on my lap. He was shuffling these papers on his desk, mumbling to himself without looking up. When he finally did, he met my gaze and began to speak, "You know, young lady, lemme share you something since you're here and I just feel like sharing it.."

I tried hiding my confusion with a polite smile and nod.

He showed me the papers in his hand, "Look at this," he pointed his wrinkled finger on the fine print, "This is Blue Cross' previous rate on basic hospital services; Check-up P450, Blah blah P600, blah blah Pxx"

I kept on nodding but I'm seriously not understanding what he's getting at.

He flipped the next page, "Now, this is recently signed and approved by the hospital director, Blue Cross has lowered their coverage; Check-up at P300?!" he grunted loudly, "This makes the medicine career a prostitution!" he put the papers down, "You know we don't earn much out of HMO, these darn affiliations don't really help us that much.."

I think I'm trying to grasp his point, I thought to myself, 'Hey, my card is HMO, what's that supposed to mean?!'

He began gathering the papers and kept it in his drawer, "But I know the times are hard these days so we gotta help in any way we can, right?"

"Yeah..." I wanna say, 'Can we just get to the reason of why I'm here in the first place?'

He closed his drawer and grabbed my health record that I filled up a few minutes ago, "Alright, let's get down to business."

'Finally.' I thought as I adjusted myself in the chair.

A few questions. My scripted reply. A stethoscope against my chest, breathe in, breathe out. He said he couldn't hear anything wrong in my heartbeat. Then, he finally said the magic words, "I'll request a 2D-echo for you so we can see what's wrong." he pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, wrote down the much needed request and handed it to me, "Bring me back the result on your next check-up, I'll see you in a week."

I took the request sheet, thanked him and left the room. I was guided to the doctor's secretary and I showed her the request sheet. She asked me to sit down, I did and I listened while she called Medicard for approval. I began shuffling my feet in the chair, uh-oh, I wonder if Medicard keeps a record of previous inquiries about patient requests, I hoped to God they don't or I'm doomed to be declined of being covered for 2D-echo again.

The secretary finally hang up the phone, handed me back the sheet and said, "Proceed to the Laboratory Room in the Ground floor."

I gladly thanked her and went on my way. Hah! Covered!

The wait for my 2D-echo test was the longest. When I handed my request sheet to the nurse in charge, he mentioned that the line is awfully long and asked me if I'm willing to wait. I wanted to say, 'How long are we talking about?' but decided that since I'm already here, I might as well wait, so I said "Yes, that's fine." He lined up my paper along with the other patients and said, "Your name will be called, go take your lunch first."

I had lunch at a nearby McD's then went back an hour later. I checked with the nurse if my name has been called and he said no. "You're no. 28, we're serving no. 18."

I decided I'll just stick around to wait and boy, did I wait?! I was back by 12:30 and my name was called at around 3:30! So if you'll include my 1 hour lunch, my wait time is almost 4 freaking hours?! Oh well. I found out from other patients that the 2D-echo costs P4,000 and being exempted from paying that is enough for me not to feel so bad about waiting.

The result wouldn't be in 'till the next 3 business days or I could just get it on my next doctor's appointment. Good. I left Philippine Heart Center feeling good that I was able to accomplish what I came here for and most importantly, by next week, I'll know if I'm gonna live healthily ever after...

Labels: 2D Echo, healthcare, heart problem, Medical, Medicard, Philippine Heart Center, pink crimson

posted by Monica-Lynne @ 6:59 AM