Is There a Doctor in the House?

This week was the first week this summer that we didn’t have any appointments scheduled and that I didn’t have any phone calls to make. Of course, these unplanned times sometimes allow unexpected surprises to arise. As I described in a previous blog entry, “An 'Aha!' Moment,” Alex was diagnosed with a yeast infection in and around his mouth about a month ago. We’ve been treating the infection with a once-a-week dose of the anti-fungal drug Diflucan along with an anti-fungal ointment on his face. He finished the fourth and last dose last Saturday and seemed to be doing better. However, on Wednesday morning, he awoke with his tongue coated in thick yeasty substance.

Since he would be due another dose on Saturday, and we were out of the prescription, I decided to call his doctor and make an appointment for him to see if he needed more anti-fungal medicine. I thought we were fortunate to be able to see the doctor early that afternoon, but I didn’t have any idea that our plans would suddenly change.

When we arrived at our family doctor’s office, the receptionist asked for our insurance card, which I gave her. I also gave her Alex’s Medicaid card that had arrived in the mail last week with instructions to present it any time he was going for medical appointments. She told me that she didn’t think they took Medicaid, but she would check. I explained that he was still covered under our health insurance policy (since Medicaid had recommended that we keep him on our policy), and we would pay any expenses the insurance would not, as we always had in the past.

When she went to ask another receptionist about Medicaid, I heard the other one indignantly ranting how Medicaid never paid for anything, so they never took Medicaid patients. She then told me rather rudely that they would not see Alex because he has Medicaid. I explained that Alex had recently been approved for Medicaid because he was disabled, and I assured her that we still had private insurance for him, plus we would pay ourselves for what expenses were not covered.  In response, she condescendingly informed me that the doctor could not legally see Alex since he has Medicaid now; we would have to find another doctor. Annoyed by her attitude and relieved that Alex wasn’t very sick, I told Ed and Alex, who were sitting in the waiting room unaware of what was transpiring at the reception desk, that we were leaving, and I would explain why once we were in the car. Medicaid apparently necessitated needing to find a new doctor for Alex; and the receptionist’s nasty attitude made me decide that I would find a new doctor for myself, as well.

Because I wanted a doctor to check Alex’s mouth, we decided to take him to St. Anthony’s Express Care here in town, which is affiliated with the hospital where Alex stayed in Michigan City, as well as the ER in Chesterton where we took him last month when the infection erupted. Fortunately, they do take Medicaid patients and were willing to see him that afternoon. All of their staff were very kind to us, and the doctor was sympathetic about our experience about basically being dumped by our family doctor. After examining Alex, she thought his mouth was healing, but she gave us two more doses of Diflucan in case he needed them. In addition, she suggested the names of three family doctors she thought would take Alex as a patient now that he has Medicaid. Grateful for her help, we headed home with the prescription and information she provided.

That evening, I began researching Indiana Medicaid providers online and found the doctors the urgent care doctor had recommended along with the names of family physicians in two groups here in town who have a good reputation. Jotting down names and phone numbers, I planned to make phone calls the next morning to see if they were taking new patients and would accept Alex. The first group I called was not currently taking new patients, and they would not accept new patients with Medicaid. The second group was taking new patients, but they also would not accept new patients with Medicaid. The third group had two doctors accepting new patients, but they could only take new patients with Medicaid if Medicaid assigned the patients to their office. Frustrated with the lack of progress I was making, I decided to call Medicaid for assistance.

First, I called the phone number on the back of Alex’s Medicaid card, and while the woman was very nice, she recommended that I check the website, which I had already done. She then suggested that I call our local office who may be able to help more directly than her state office in Indianapolis. When I called the local office, the woman with whom I spoke was also very pleasant and apologetic that I was having trouble finding a doctor for Alex. She recommended that I call another Medicaid office in Indianapolis that coordinates services and providers. When I called that office, the man took all of the pertinent information about Alex regarding our address, phone number, file number, Alex’s birthdate and Social Security number. He then told me that he would have to speak with Alex since he is legally an adult. I explained that Alex’s autism is his disability that qualified him for Medicaid and that he doesn’t communicate well. I also explained that besides being his mother, I have medical power of attorney for him and that Medicaid has designated me as his authorized representative. Very politely, he said, “Mrs. Byrne, I believe everything you’re telling me, but because of HIPAA [health care privacy] laws, I cannot discuss your son’s case without his permission or the legal documents showing that you are his medical power of attorney.” He then gave me the information as to where I need to send a copy of Alex’s medical power of attorney papers so that he can talk to me instead of Alex.

While I certainly understand an individual’s right to privacy regarding health matters, the extent to which this law is enforced strikes me as ridiculous, especially when it comes to a parent seeking help for a disabled adult child who cannot advocate for himself/herself. Nonetheless, I will fax yet another copy of Alex’s medical power of attorney papers in hopes that we can find a doctor for him. Fortunately, Alex is rarely sick, so he doesn’t need a doctor often. His nurse practitioner’s office accepts Medicaid, so she can continue to oversee the medications that control his anxiety and agitation. Until we find a doctor for him, we’ll just plan to take him to St. Anthony’s Express Care here in town or their ER in Chesterton because we know they will treat him, and we have been extremely pleased with the care they provide. I’m sure God will provide a good doctor for Alex, but once again, we will need to be patient until He reveals his plans.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36