By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
I’ve looked it up. Statistics indicate that the number one cause of death in America is heart disease. Cancer is a close second. I’m here to tell you that despite the statistics, these two ills are not the main causes of our demise. You know what kills more Americans? Insurance.
Now I know what y’all are thinking. It’s the insurance companies’ job to provide adequate, comprehensive medical care and keep you alive. Not the case. Insurance will kill you quicker than Ebola or COVID.
Insurance companies will make changes to your care team and providers unannounced. You have no idea said changes have occurred until, of course, you need help. And if you’re like me, you don’t interact with your physicians on a weekly basis. You call them when you need them, and when you need them, it’s because there’s a problem, and it’s always imminent.
Insurance companies will make you jump through more hoops than a circus dog. And when you’re sick or in pain, hoop jumpin’ is not on your agenda.
And they just don’t just do it to their policy holders. Insurance companies are a nemesis for providers as well. I know many physicians and hospitals who ride the insurance roller coaster, and it’s not an E-ticket ride.
I speak from experience on these particular premises occurring just last week, and it’s not been a satisfactory one. Rather, it’s been an effort in futility. I’m reminded of Jack Twist’s words in Brokeback Mountain by my favorite author of all time Larry McMurtry: “You know friend, this is a gosh darn (sic) bitch of an unsatisfactory situation.” I concur with Jack. After all, I pay the insurance company. They should work for me, right? Satisfaction guaranteed?
So, here’s my question. If physicians must take the Hippocratic Oath in order to practice medicine – which I totally have an issue with the term “practice;” I want a seasoned pro who is done “practicing” on my medical team – why don’t insurance companies have to take a similar pledge?
A modern English translation of one part of the Greek Hippocratic Oath that all medical students recite states: “I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.”
I like this, and I love my medical providers for adhering to this philosophy. These words exemplify accountability above and beyond. It says nothing about abrupt alterations to your beloved physicians sans notification or hoop jumpin’.
What oath are insurance companies required to take, if any? Apparently, they take an Examination Under Oath (EUO) so that they can investigate your claims. It’s basically a sworn statement given to the insurance company’s attorney, and it provides that the insured individual – you – are obligated to answer questions truthfully. That doesn’t feel the company I pay is on my side.
Here’s my medical oath going forward: “I pledge to continue to be a thorn in my insurance companies’ backside as long as all of this abrupt changin’ and hoop jumpin’ continues.” I can call every day; I’ve got nothing but time. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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