I think this is a big problem with Medicare

[planosteve]

Medicare works pretty well when it comes to paying the bills. But, when it comes to obtaining good doctors, it's another story. Checking various sources of information for doctor availability I'm finding they are about the same. They have 2 or 3 American doctors with good experience and they take medicare. Yeah! That's what I want. So, you call for an appointment and are told they don't take "new" medicare patients. "Sorry! But, we have several doctors that do." They always turnout to be from some 3rd world country and usually fresh off the boat.

Up till about 4 or 5 years all that I needed was an annual physical. Now, I have some fairly serious health issues and need a good doctor. But, I can't find one right here where we have the largest number of medical facilities in the country!

[millergrovesue]

I don't care what nationality a physician happens to be. I do care whether a physician is competent. You know what they call the person who graduates last in his medical school class don't you?

For many years many of the best docs have refused Medicare, Medicaid, and most of the Tricare (military insurance) plans. The reason Bob and I chose Tricare Standard was that we could choose our doctors knowing we would pay 25%, or more, of the charges ourselves. Becoming Medicare age put an end to our choices unless we choose concierge docs and pay it all out of our own pockets.

[planosteve]

I don't have a big problem with specialists. I have an Indian gastrologist and he's pretty good. Good luck even finding an American Butt doctor. But, for a primary care physisican who you have to rely on to make critical decisions when your seriously ill, I don't think you want a foreigner.

[BigTex]

Xenophobic much?

Don't immediately dismiss foreign doctors as second tier. Their degrees come from the same schools as the real Americans you prefer.

I don't know the percentages, but it is simply a fact that our medical schools are enrolling more and more students of Asian/Indian extraction. I can see it from dealing with our medical residents. They are trying to get their practices started and are more willing to deal with Medicare.

[planosteve]

Xenophobic much?

Don't immediately dismiss foreign doctors as second tier. Their degrees come from the same schools as the real Americans you prefer.

I don't know the percentages, but it is simply a fact that our medical schools are enrolling more and more students of Asian/Indian extraction. I can see it from dealing with our medical residents. They are trying to get their practices started and are more willing to deal with Medicare.

I'm not dismissing anybody. If fact I'm trying to replace my primary care guy who is a Texan now.
His main practice seems to be giving physicals to police and fire employees in Allen. But, he is sick a
lot and acts distracted when I see him and anxious to get to his next patient.

[BigTex]

You are right that it is getting harder to find any kind of a GP to use as a primary care physician. Everybody wants to specialize because that's where the big bucks are. My PCP is an internist I've used for years. When he moved to an office that was no longer convenient for me I stayed with him because I didn't want to start all over again.

[BillB]

Xenophobic much?

Don't immediately dismiss foreign doctors as second tier. Their degrees come from the same schools as the real Americans you prefer.

I don't know the percentages, but it is simply a fact that our medical schools are enrolling more and more students of Asian/Indian extraction. I can see it from dealing with our medical residents. They are trying to get their practices started and are more willing to deal with Medicare.

I don't mind a doctor being a foreigner, unless I can't understand him.
I left an Indian doctor because I had to strain to understand what he was saying and often got it wrong.

[BigTex]

Most of the doctors I deal with here speak English pretty well. You are definitely going to be at a disadvantage practicing in America if you haven't mastered the language. Unless you consider your primary market to be naturalized Indians.

[BillB]

For what it's worth, Texas is a haven for quacks.
Texas is one of the few states, if not the only state, that won't let you see a doctor's history of malpractice suits.
They are blocked from public disclosure.

[GFB]

We need immigrants..thousands of them every month.

These are people we want here..we need here.

We don't need illegal aliens..we don't need any.

[GFB]

About 4 years ago I was in India for 2 (very long) weeks.

While in Channai, one of the people I travel with had a detached retina. He had to have immediate surgery if he wanted to save his eye.

Long story short, so happens one of the finest Indian eye surgeons practices in Channai. He had the surgery done, stayed an extra week to recover, and paid cash $600 for the whole deal..hospital stay included.

..for what would have cost more like $60,000 here.



In case you ever wondered why we have so many Indian doctors.

[millergrovesue]

About 4 years ago I was in India for 2 (very long) weeks.

While in Channai, one of the people I travel with had a detached retina. He had to have immediate surgery if he wanted to save his eye.

Long story short, so happens one of the finest Indian eye surgeons practices in Channai. He had the surgery done, stayed an extra week to recover, and paid cash $600 for the whole deal..hospital stay included.

..for what would have cost more like $60,000 here.



In case you ever wondered why we have so many Indian doctors.

Wow! Interesting story and how fortunate he was to have such great care................and at such a great price!

[planosteve]

I think it's been pretty well understood that anyone who is forced to pay for American medical services out of their pocket is going to be financially raped.

[GFB]

Yes..great price, but the "hospital stay" as well as the surgical procedure..were nothing like here.

[Red Oak]

Greggo next time you need a major medical procedure, have it done in India, and let us know how it worked out for you.

I knew one gentleman that had a Hip Replacement there, he never got out of the Hospital; his wife set up the deal; I think she wanted to knock him off in a legal manner.

[millergrovesue]

I think it's been pretty well understood that anyone who is forced to pay for American medical services out of their pocket is going to be financially raped.

Actually some of the concierge docs have worked out cash discounts with the labs they use. Labwork that was billed to Medicare and supplementary insurance at more than $1400 I can have done for $200 since I'm paying for it myself. That gives me an idea of how much it costs to go through the insurance billing and collection process.

[BigTex]

If you experience what you believe to be malpractice in India, what is your recourse?

[GFB]

Greggo next time you need a major medical procedure, have it done in India, and let us know how it worked out for you.

I knew one gentleman that had a Hip Replacement there, he never got out of the Hospital; his wife set up the deal; I think she wanted to knock him off in a legal manner.

I don't think I've given the impression that we need to be more like India.

That was a post to let people know why Indian doctors are falling all over themselves to come here.

I have always been quite afraid of getting seriously ill or injured while abroad.

[GFB]

If you experience what you believe to be malpractice in India, what is your recourse?

None, I'm sure.

[Red Oak]

They give you a discounted funeral, consisting of pitching the corpse in the river.