I will tell you what ELSE is new ( and frustrating) this week...Well.... it's happened again... I lost my cool in yet ANOTHER frustrating phone conversation with yet ANOTHER arrogant, indifferent receptionist at ANOTHER doctors office. If you read about the Last time this happened, you may be thinking I'm ready for the Psych. ward. (You may be right.) but just know this... I always start out extremely polite. I always try to maintain a civilized demeanor. I am reasonable and speak courteously. UNTIL.... Their attitude starts... Until a RECEPTIONIST starts dictating what is emergent care and what isn't. Even then... I didn't curse! but at one point.... when she started dictating bogus New 'New Year' rules about referrals taking 48 hours and If it doesn't go through My son will be charged by the specialist... Well.... The sailor in me.... Just Jumped in and drowned her. I'm not proud of saying things like "this is fucking ridiculous" and "Who the hell are you, to tell my son his infected toe wasn't an Emergency"? It is so out of character from who I used to be just a few short years ago. I would always maintain what I considered appropriate, decent vocabulary. I don't know what happens to us as we age... Appropriate no longer seems important. Getting my point across does! Nothing like obscenities to let a snooty asshole know just HOW dissatisfied pissed you are! To get the whole picture of what she heard.... You should know the conversation was a few days ago, when my voice was still all squeaky and raspy from my cold. As commanding as my words were, hearing them in this puny barely audible whispery scream, must have sounded... well 'fucking ridiculous' to her. In the end, I called my insurance company and verified that her information was indeed bogus (or misinformed.) I found out my sons visit to the specialist was Definitely considered Emergent care and would be covered. I found out it has ALWAYS taken 48 hours to process a referral, but as long as she dated it correctly, it's fine.
I called Miss Snooty back a couple of times, but could only get an answering machine ( thank-you very much Caller-ID) In my message, I told her what The insurance co. said. I told her, I thought she should know this so she can give the next patient THE CoRRECT information. Believe it or not I had calmed down a bit.. and also Told her, that I apologized for my language but I was understandably a bit frustrated by her indifference. So now... I need to call her again!... I think I have a sinus infection and want to see the doctor! I have a feeling I will receive Quite a cold reception, and I will plan on bringing a very, very long novel as I don't expect to be taken in too promptly. It is amazing the control this person gets just for sitting behind that sliding glass window. She is like the fucking wizard of HMO's. Wish me luck!
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little valiant Lu ---- fight the good fight my dear.
ps. I too have been feeling under the weather and I read online about rubbing vicks vapor rub all over your feet, putting on socks and going to bed. Believe it or not, I feel tons better! give it a try (at the very least you'll get nice soft feet)
HMO's are grand, aren't they?
I think out tolerance and patience dimishes in direct proportion to our advancing years! Plus, when you're fighting for one of your kids, that mama bear instinct comes out and growls loudly.
I hope you and your son feel better soon. Oh, and glad you got the picture resolved - so cute! Peace & love, JP/deb
I empathize completely with your frustration, especially when you are needing something for a child. Your medical system differs in the US to what we have in Canada (we don't deal with HMOs), but I do know this much. As frustrating as the receptionists can be, I've been one in a doctor's office. And as much as her attitude of "this is the way it is" makes us want to pull our hair out by the roots, the "official" line on policy starts with the doctor...the doctor is the one who gives the receptionist the "rules" and the way things are done. I know it doesn't ease the frustration you went through but having been on the other side of it, I do feel your pain and it used to drive me nuts when I'd have to refer a patient to a clinic or emerg because we were full for the day and I'd already squeezed in 5-10 people. Being a mother myself I always wanted the babies and the children to be seen by their own doctor "asap"...and the fact that I no longer work with a doctor should speak volumes. I hope your son is better soon!!!
good luck honey!! lots of good luck :)
"I don't know what happens to us as we age." HORRIBLE MOANS (hormones) YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! HAHA!!We are just tired of Crap at this juncture and refuse to be walked on any longer. The sweetest women finally grab some fortitude and run will it! Every woman I know is complaining of the same thing. We no longer have time for this kind of insanity, we want to live and let live. Dare to get in our way, poof....you are toast. Finally we have boundaries abounding and a mother lion instinct in full force. So get out of our way....or be verbally bulldozed...we are mental pausal (menopausal) women with no time for bullshit. We have life to live! All I can say are “insolent people BEWARE!”
So glad we don't have those problems here!
Hugs and hope you both feel better soon! Despite the fire within, we still have empathy!
Love Sherrie
There are times when the sailor mouth is essential! Especially when it comes to getting what we need for our kids. Happy Tuesday!
I can relate to this so much Lucy... happened to me not so long ago and I had to bite down my tongue to stop myself from cursing out loud!!...but it sure anger me too. hope your son is feeling better now...love UL
Oh Lucy! About the last thing you need is a receptionist like that when both you and your son are sick. His toe ok now? How's that sinus infection? Well, if misery loves company know that Chris, Alexander and now me, myself and I are feeling bloody awful, too. I mean how much crud IS lodged up in those sinuses of ours?...enough to fill a stadium, me thinks. Ugh!
As a front desk receptionist/gal friday at my office, I am passionate about NOT being one of THOSE people. I consider myself friendly, compassionate, caring and accommodating. I do not work in a GP office but rather an orthodontist office. Ask Ann, the purlingswine, I shall use her as a reference. We need to make these traits contagious but for now, it is something special to be found and it lives in my office.
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