THE ALMOST TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR ITCH

 

My scar now healing is blending in well, contrary to the dermatologist prognosis no plastic surgeon necessary. I was beginning to feel confident again.

Then, while washing my face or applying sunscreen I felt a teensy bump on the right side of my nose inches from my skin cancer scar. With it came a chronic itch that lingered for months, one that often woke me from sleep.

Since I was unhappy with the previous dermatologist a friend recommended hers. "It's a family run business, highly qualified and as nice a group of professionals as you'd find anywhere," she said.

On my way into town I drove there to schedule an appointment. The receptionist curtly informed me they weren't taking any new patients until February. --This was back in July!

Another friend recommended her dermatology clinic. Ironically it was located in the building next to the dermatologist I didn't like. I was given a September appointment.   

I waited over an hour in crowded waiting room which was humid and stuffy with only a fan due to a malfunctioning air conditioner. However the exam room was almost freezing.

Despite my age, I do not qualify for Medicare or Social Security, nor do I have health insurance! It cost me $180 just to walk thru the door!

From there I was sent to a lab for blood tests. The doctor ordered 13 in all costing me $1400. -- I nearly fainted from the shock! I only needed one prior to my previous surgery.

A cream was also prescribed. It must have contained crushed diamond chips! Even with my Publix discount the price was $ll8 for a small tube. The pharmacist told me it wouldn't be ready until evening. I refuse to drive in the dark due to my vision so I told them I'd pick it up in the morning. This turned out in my favor.

At home, among my junk mail I found an OPTUM Plus Pharmacy Discount Card. Thank goodness I didn't throw it out! This brought the cost down to $40 which felt too good to be true. There had to be a catch! I kept expecting this company to contact me stating: "We own you now, bitch!"

I read up on the cream. It was for cancerous & pre-cancerous skin. I followed the instructions to the letter waiting for it to do its magic. However this expensive cream turned out to be absolutely useless!

I'm on the hook for at least one, probably more follow-up appointments. My fingers are crossed there will be no more surgeries or I'm going to need a bank loan!

A neighbor told me, "We have health insurance but it's expensive, we pay thru the nose for it!"

I told her, "I don't have it and I pay thru the nose too!"

So either way it's costly! -- HEALTH CARE IN THE U.S. SUCKS!!!