Today I was called by the Allergist's office where I took my son, Thomas Matallana on Monday. His case is "complex" as defined by the doctor and we have to concentrate on stopping his constant going to an ER and 911 calls. I felt really good at that appointment after exhausting nights spent by his bed's side and listening to him expecting him to breathe fine.
The Allergist's billing contact, Debbie, told me that since I had two insurances, my primary insurance is Cigna and my secondary insurance is Passport (Medicaid in Kentucky), they would need a referral from my pediatrician in order to claim from Passport. I didn't see a problem with that and I called Dr. Rhonda Buttleman's office requesting that referral.
The answer I received from the person that answered the phone was: "Wait a moment please". After what seemed like 3-4 minutes, she gets back on the phone and tells me in a demeaning manner: "We don't take Passport at this office, you used to have Cigna, I don't know if you are no longer carrying it or what happened but we don't take Passport." And I said: "Okay, so what then?" Her answer is: "Well, we can't give you the referral, you need to get yourself another doctor. You've been assigned Dr. Gopinath in your Passport card so call them or any other doctor that accepts Passport, we don't. We accepted Passport one time and that was it. I'll have your papers ready for when the other doctor requests them, I'll send them."
I felt completely dismissed and humiliated, almost like referring to a phrase: "We don't want your business, we don't need your business, go get yourself another club or membership that will take you." We are not talking of business here, we are talking about two seven year old, my twin sons and their health. I think the attitude would've been different if a recommendation would've come from their mouth, saying what doctor would be best to go to and they can send the papers there and have them call me... But you feel like there is no care in the world as to what happen to the other person, is just bad business for them because they don't take an insurance. Has the medical field lost all sensitivity?
