I had not been ill other than the occasional seasonal flu in 30 years. Then, I had something awful happen I went to bed one night, just fine, then awakened to a body I didn't recognize, and that did not function!
The precise night I lost function was hours after my mom's funeral. The stress of it looms large.
For 30 years, more or less, I could not obtain insurance at any price due to illness in childhood. I had been told if you had gone some years without a problem, the old illness went off the insurance books.
Bullshit.
Then, the ACA set up a Pre-existing illness exception that made it possible for me to obtain insurance upon proof I was sick.
I got a diagnosis. Then, got the PPIC for about 10 months.
After testing, the initial diagnosis was wrong. The second diagnosis was wrong. I was worried about repaying my costs because my diagnosis to get the insurance in the first place was wrong. Everyone thought it was partly due to the stress of the funeral. Well, no...
A friend had a friend who had my symptoms, suggested I get tested for Parvo B19. My specialists did order the test, also Lyme, also Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, because I insisted. ( When I insist, it sounds almost like a threat, or something...)
I tested positive for Parvo B19 and RMSF, the latter treated by doxycylin. (I do not know how to spell it correctly.) Both those conditions can kill you. RMSF treatment worked. There is no known treatment for Parvo B19. The specialist told me to go home, and hoped I would eventually get better. And, she would call me, and do not make an appointment with her. (2 years later, she has not requested a follow up.)
Now, I am a Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas insured. ACA.
I have a primary doctor, and 4 specialists.
And I hate it all. Not the money, the control.
When I paid cash, I could control the tests.
Now, they run me through everything the insurance will pay for.
I endured a hearing test, because the throat doctor said that might be a factor in my shaky voice,(absolute bull shit),and I learned if I want to hear a tiny voice in a noisy restaurant, I had best get hearing aids, and they come in zebra print, and when you do not want all that sound, turn the volume down! The hearing tester was a young lady who modeled her aids, to show me how they did not make a woman less attractive...and she is also the one who sells them. 30 day free trial period.
And then, I got the allergy guy to show me the colored brochure about allergies, and that the tests took 2 hours, the room just remarkably happened to be free, and that for less that $700 I would leave the room, knowing everything I was allergic to!
Well, I have no known allergies, do not have a single allergy complaint. Not a single symptom.
I just wanted my throat checked. (Shaky voice for no apparent reason. I still have a shaky voice, no reason.) The hearing test that showed I am in need of designer, lady-friendly hearing aids caused my left ear to bleed for several days. I had 3 different doctors or nurse practitioners insist I find out everything I am allergic to on the planet for my peace of mind.
I told them, I have zero intellectual curiosity about my allergies, since I have no symptoms, not even seasonal hay fever. NO ALLERGY SYMPTOMS.
Everybody that was supposedly taking care of my health knew more about my insurance deductibles than I did, the front desk lady, and the doctor prattling on about how high my deductible was. (I thought it was very modest.)
I got a 3 day ear ache and a bloody ear because I got talked into doing something my insurance paid for.
The throat Doctor told me he was not going to use any pain meds or numbing agent when he scoped me. (It tastes too bad.) He said it hurt to scope, for me to be prepared. (It did hurt. I prepared by gutting up. He certainly didn't prepare me with medicine.)
He pointed out to me the numbing agent on his shelf that he decided he would not use.
The only thing I came away with from all this sell me a used car type health care was that there were no irregularities in my nose and throat.
The throat doctor said it was most likely Parvo B19, and there is nothing you can do for it.
Next patient.
Have a nice day.