FML - Broken finger healthcare story

DaddyTorgo · 10-03-2012, 12:15 PM

I broke my finger. Car vs. finger. Car wins everytime.

Went to the ER. Open fracture. They peeled the nail open like a set of doors and then sutured under it, then tucked the one piece of the nail under the other and anchored it down with sutures (although it will likely fall out and have to regrow).

Two more FML parts of this.

1) Apparently because it happened when I slammed it in a car door, according to the orthopedic specialists office, I had to file a car insurance claim, otherwise Tufts (my insurer) would deny it. That's pretty fucked up and complicated things a bit.

2) I have Tufts. My old PCP was "captured" (if you will) by Harvard Vanguard. So they won't refer me to a non Harvard Vanguard specialist. So this morning I had to cancel the appointment with the specialist that the ER guy setup for me (which was for today) because he wasn't a Harvard Vanguard guy (why would I think he needed to be...I have Tufts). So I just spent all morning trying to get them to work something out so that I could keep the appointment. Well I couldn't.

So I just spent another hour or so calling around to try to switch PCP's and get someone who could see me today to verify that my finger is broken so that I can get a goddamn referral to the fucking specialist of my choice.

Wasted an entire fucking morning on this. Productivity down the fucking toilet.

And people say the healthcare system isn't fucked up? WTF!!!

molson · 10-03-2012, 12:20 PM

It might be easier to just go to Canada and claim asylum or something.

I'm so terrified and bewildered as to how to navigate that stuff, so I'm just willing myself to never get injured or sick, which obviously, is a great plan that couldn't possibly go wrong. I have so little experience in procuring health care, it would be incredibly overwhelming.

Edit: It's just preposterous that so much time/effort/money has to go into navigating the process. Doing it with a broken finger has to be an incredible pain in the ass, and imagine what it'd be like if a tumor exploded in your stomach or something.

Chief Rum · 10-03-2012, 12:21 PM

That sucks, DT. Hope it all works out in the end.

And to be fair, I don't think anyone thinks the current health system is fine. The two sides just disagree on what the right solution is.

sterlingice · 10-03-2012, 01:19 PM

Spoiler that image- ugh

SI

M GO BLUE!!! · 10-03-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Spoiler that image- ugh

SI

INDEED... I ALMOST HEAVED!

sterlingice · 10-03-2012, 01:29 PM

And then there's this:

Insurance Company Celebrates 50 Billionth Fucking Over Of Customer | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

SI

DaddyTorgo · 10-03-2012, 01:46 PM

Can you spoiler tag an attached image?

And I just finished finding a new primary care doc who can see me today at 4:15 to literally confirm I have a broken finger so that they can approve the referral. I have no idea how good this guy is or anything, but at least he can see me today, so for the moment he's my doctor. They already gave me the go-ahead to book the appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon, so I have that at 9:00am tomorrow.

What a fucking joke of a healthcare system.

Finger doesn't actually hurt that bad - it's just a minor break at the end, and it was Thursday night, so all the swelling has gone down. Didn't even need to take any of my percocets.

Sun Tzu · 10-03-2012, 01:59 PM

Best of luck during the healing process, DT.

Oh, and uh, screw you for posting that picture.

DaddyTorgo · 10-03-2012, 02:15 PM

Wimps. Got rid of the pic for you since I had uploaded it not linked it and I don't think you can spoiler attached images.

Logan · 10-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Can you spoiler tag an attached image?

And I just finished finding a new primary care doc who can see me today at 4:15 to literally confirm I have a broken finger so that they can approve the referral. I have no idea how good this guy is or anything, but at least he can see me today, so for the moment he's my doctor. They already gave me the go-ahead to book the appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon, so I have that at 9:00am tomorrow.

What a fucking joke of a healthcare system.

Finger doesn't actually hurt that bad - it's just a minor break at the end, and it was Thursday night, so all the swelling has gone down. Didn't even need to take any of my percocets.

Sell those babies and you'll start appreciating the healthcare system. CHA-CHING!!!

M GO BLUE!!! · 10-03-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

And people say the healthcare system isn't fucked up? WTF!!!

The guy running for Prez that your state put on the map, but won't vote for, has a plan.

Lathum · 10-03-2012, 03:53 PM

I still find it so odd you have to file a car insurance claim

BishopMVP · 10-03-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

The guy running for Prez that your state put on the map, but won't vote for, has a plan.

In our defense, the alternatives (Jane Swift, Shannon O'Brien) were worse. Yay politics.

ISiddiqui · 10-03-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

The guy running for Prez that your state put on the map, but won't vote for, has a plan.

I always knew that guy was a Cylon.

Chief Rum · 10-03-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

I still find it so odd you have to file a car insurance claim

Still? Cuz so much has happened since this morning?

DaddyTorgo · 10-03-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Still? Cuz so much has happened since this morning?

I PM'd Lathum about this on Friday being like "Hey...car insurance guy...is this weird? What's up?"

And then got distracted because I had friends in town for the weekend.

Chief Rum · 10-03-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I PM'd Lathum about this on Friday being like "Hey...car insurance guy...is this weird? What's up?"

And then got distracted because I had friends in town for the weekend.

Ah ha! Okay, well, then, joke at Lathum's expense is hereby revoked.

Buccaneer · 10-03-2012, 07:28 PM

My company is switching to Cigna next year (open enrollment starting soon). We get the same coverage we have now (nearly all physicians and specialists take Cigna) with no price increase (company or employee) plus I think we get an expanded out-of-network coverage (not sure what that means yet). Knowing how much medical issues my family and I deal with every year, I'm thankful for such great healthcare.

Hope you get better, DT.

Lathum · 10-03-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

My company is switching to Cigna next year (open enrollment starting soon). We get the same coverage we have now (nearly all physicians and specialists take Cigna) with no price increase (company or employee) plus I think we get an expanded out-of-network coverage (not sure what that means yet). Knowing how much medical issues my family and I deal with every year, I'm thankful for such great healthcare.

Hope you get better, DT.

Doesn't getting old suck

Buccaneer · 10-03-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

Doesn't getting old suck

That and my teenage son having to go to the @%#$! EmergiCare clinic a couple of times a year.

terpkristin · 10-07-2012, 02:19 PM

Make sure you see a hand specialist. Otherwise, you're going to be even more f'd down the road. Trust me...

/tk

Desnudo · 10-07-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Can you spoiler tag an attached image?

And I just finished finding a new primary care doc who can see me today at 4:15 to literally confirm I have a broken finger so that they can approve the referral. I have no idea how good this guy is or anything, but at least he can see me today, so for the moment he's my doctor. They already gave me the go-ahead to book the appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon, so I have that at 9:00am tomorrow.

What a fucking joke of a healthcare system.

Finger doesn't actually hurt that bad - it's just a minor break at the end, and it was Thursday night, so all the swelling has gone down. Didn't even need to take any of my percocets.

Do you have the PPO option? Makes life a lot easier. I would never choose the referral system unless I had to.

DaddyTorgo · 10-07-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Make sure you see a hand specialist. Otherwise, you're going to be even more f'd down the road. Trust me...

/tk

Yep. Already saw the hand specialist and have another follow up in a couple weeks.

DaddyTorgo · 10-07-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Do you have the PPO option? Makes life a lot easier. I would never choose the referral system unless I had to.

I thought I chose PPO, but I have HMO apparently. I'll be changing that at the next open enrollment period you can bet your life.

Buccaneer · 10-07-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I thought I chose PPO, but I have HMO apparently. I'll be changing that at the next open enrollment period you can bet your life.

Good, should've not chosen HMO in the first place. Best of luck.

DaddyTorgo · 10-07-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Good, should've not chosen HMO in the first place. Best of luck.

Yeah...well that's a life lesson of youth that I've now learned. I hadn't had real-life experience of what the difference between the two would actually be.

DaddyTorgo · 11-20-2012, 08:59 AM

Well...the stitched-on cracked-up nail is about to fall off. The two pieces that were tucked one under the other have separated, so the larger piece is making like a gull-wing door and flying-up. The stitches securing those 2 pieces to the nailbed seem to be intact, so I think I'm actually going to put some tape over it for a few days so it doesn't snag on something and rip off.

Doesn't look like the new nail has really started growing in at all yet from what I can see through the crack.

Chief Rum · 11-20-2012, 11:16 AM

Good luck with that, DT.

I have never had a fingernail issue like this, but the big toe nail on my right foot has had issues, and it continues to be an ugly sumbitch to this day as a result. Hope yours goes better.

DaddyTorgo · 11-20-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Good luck with that, DT.

I have never had a fingernail issue like this, but the big toe nail on my right foot has had issues, and it continues to be an ugly sumbitch to this day as a result. Hope yours goes better.

Should be fine - this is what the doc said to expect. I'm frankly surprised it's taken so long - they're dissolvable stitches and I shower 2x a day and workout (and sweat down to my fingertips) 6 days a week, and the stitches have held for 2 months now. Hell...I think the last time I was there at the docs last month they even snipped a couple of them (I thought?) in order to help this process along, but the ones on the nailbed still seem to be holding.

I should probably not have it covered, but I really don't want to catch it on something and rip it off...that would be painful.

10-03-2012, 12:20 PM	#2
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	It might be easier to just go to Canada and claim asylum or something. I'm so terrified and bewildered as to how to navigate that stuff, so I'm just willing myself to never get injured or sick, which obviously, is a great plan that couldn't possibly go wrong. I have so little experience in procuring health care, it would be incredibly overwhelming. Edit: It's just preposterous that so much time/effort/money has to go into navigating the process. Doing it with a broken finger has to be an incredible pain in the ass, and imagine what it'd be like if a tumor exploded in your stomach or something. Last edited by molson : 10-03-2012 at 12:23 PM.

10-03-2012, 12:21 PM	#3
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	That sucks, DT. Hope it all works out in the end. And to be fair, I don't think anyone thinks the current health system is fine. The two sides just disagree on what the right solution is. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

10-03-2012, 01:19 PM	#4
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Spoiler that image- ugh SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

10-03-2012, 01:29 PM	#6
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	And then there's this: Insurance Company Celebrates 50 Billionth Fucking Over Of Customer \| The Onion - America's Finest News Source SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

10-03-2012, 01:46 PM	#7
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Can you spoiler tag an attached image? And I just finished finding a new primary care doc who can see me today at 4:15 to literally confirm I have a broken finger so that they can approve the referral. I have no idea how good this guy is or anything, but at least he can see me today, so for the moment he's my doctor. They already gave me the go-ahead to book the appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon, so I have that at 9:00am tomorrow. What a fucking joke of a healthcare system. Finger doesn't actually hurt that bad - it's just a minor break at the end, and it was Thursday night, so all the swelling has gone down. Didn't even need to take any of my percocets. Last edited by DaddyTorgo : 10-03-2012 at 01:46 PM.

10-03-2012, 01:59 PM	#8
Sun Tzu Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the thick of it.	Best of luck during the healing process, DT. Oh, and uh, screw you for posting that picture. __________________ I'm still here. Don't touch my fucking bacon.

10-03-2012, 02:15 PM	#9
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Wimps. Got rid of the pic for you since I had uploaded it not linked it and I don't think you can spoiler attached images. __________________ Get bent whoever hacked my pw and changed my signature. Last edited by DaddyTorgo : 10-03-2012 at 02:17 PM.

10-03-2012, 03:53 PM	#12
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	I still find it so odd you have to file a car insurance claim

10-03-2012, 07:28 PM	#18
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	My company is switching to Cigna next year (open enrollment starting soon). We get the same coverage we have now (nearly all physicians and specialists take Cigna) with no price increase (company or employee) plus I think we get an expanded out-of-network coverage (not sure what that means yet). Knowing how much medical issues my family and I deal with every year, I'm thankful for such great healthcare. Hope you get better, DT.

10-07-2012, 02:19 PM	#21
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Make sure you see a hand specialist. Otherwise, you're going to be even more f'd down the road. Trust me... /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

11-20-2012, 08:59 AM	#27
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Well...the stitched-on cracked-up nail is about to fall off. The two pieces that were tucked one under the other have separated, so the larger piece is making like a gull-wing door and flying-up. The stitches securing those 2 pieces to the nailbed seem to be intact, so I think I'm actually going to put some tape over it for a few days so it doesn't snag on something and rip off. Doesn't look like the new nail has really started growing in at all yet from what I can see through the crack. Last edited by DaddyTorgo : 11-20-2012 at 09:00 AM.

11-20-2012, 11:16 AM	#28
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Good luck with that, DT. I have never had a fingernail issue like this, but the big toe nail on my right foot has had issues, and it continues to be an ugly sumbitch to this day as a result. Hope yours goes better. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

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