Nobody has the flu but for some reason it's already causing drama in my house this year

We spent almost two hours at the pediatrician's office today for Charlotte's 4-month well-baby visit. TWO HOURS. This is (obviously) way, way, way beyond the realm of reasonable for ten minutes of actual work and attention. 

While there I inquired about getting a flu shot for Claire (also a patient at the practice) and was told that they'd have to bill for a nurse visit to give her the shot and I'm pretty sure my (crappy) insurance would pass that straight on to me so $100 for a flu shot didn't sound like all that attractive of an idea. I understand why they'd bill for a visit -- it's some administrative work to process the whole thing and that takes a person's time. This is also why you can get a flu shot for only $20 at CVS. No insurance to wrangle or file? OH, HO! The cost suddenly goes down to only what the product actually costs. INCREDIBLE! (And also? Makes total sense.)

As I write this, I am just now realizing that they forgot to give Charlotte HER flu shot, even though I asked for one since we were already there for her (covered) well-baby visit and it would be free. (Well, "free.") If I want one at this point I'll have to pay for that extra office visit because the doctor and the nurse weren't paying attention and because I had been there for TWO HOURS with TWO SMALL CHILDREN I wasn't either and...yeah. This sucks.

There is so much wrong with health care and it all leads to sick people and suffering and wasted resources and it makes me so mad. So. Damn. Mad. It is the single most important topic to me in the 2012 election (and 2011, for that matter). In my house, all policy roads lead back to health care and I am honestly at a point where I will absolutely compromise on other (very important) issues to get representation that understands and agrees with me on this.

But, you know, Things I Can't Change With A Blog Post. The baby is healthy and weighs fifteen pounds, five ounces, which is in the 86th percentile, which basically means she is busting out of all her clothes. I have retired Newborn and 0-3 months. 3-6 months will not be around for much longer.

And that's what we did today. We went to the doctor and then I took us all to Yogurtland and I had a giant bowl of Devil's Food Cupcake Batter, Red Velvet Cupcake Batter and NY Cheesecake frozen yogurt and Claire had a small bowl too and it cost $4.34.

That's another thing: anyone I vote for had better be pro fro-yo. DIY fro-yo is my new favorite thing about America. 

Comments

[Christina]

I HATE THIS! I had the first appt after lunch, there was no one else to be seen but ME and it took 45 minutes for the dr to come in. This happens all the time. I am so close to pulling my kids from this practice. I've had it. I mean, what are we supposed to DO with them in there? NO books, no toys, NO FOOD ALLOWED. Am I actually supposed to bring in my dvd player for them? Get your ass in there already. Fro-Yo for all!
Ben is so tiny she actually suggested giving him more butter, olive oil and mixing his whole milk with 1/2 & 1/2. He's a premiee, and we are a tiny family- he has thigh rolls and is not thin. Just becuase a kid is in the 1st % doesn't mean I'm gonna start spoon feeding him crisco, lady. HES FINE. *kicks soapbox aside in a huff*

[Lindsay]

Preach it on the health care. I recently called to book an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic and they were booking into November. Totally unacceptable for the 4th ranked hospital in the country. Here's hoping it gets figured out one day. Until then, may your daughters be flu free with or without the shot.

[Jessica]

Does CVS have pediatric flu shots? Most places around here will only give the standard dosage (not sure what age kids start getting that), so I have to get the kids shots at the pediatrician's. Last year Margaret happened to get sick at the exact right time so we got her shot while at a covered visit.

I think they should do Charlotte's without a visit fee since they forgot.

[Kim]

This is completely unacceptable behavior. Can't you take her to the CNM for her well-baby visits? Our pedi has weekend shot/mist clinics on the weekends during flu season.

[Katie]

I hate to say it, but you need a new pediatrician (or is this the new pediatrician?).

I hate. hate. hate. healthcare, too. But. My pediatrician? It was no big deal to add Will AND me into the flu shot rotation for our day. And I was WITH our pediatrician for over a half an hour and both kids recent well-baby check.

Our clinic also does NO CHARGE flu shot clinics. I mean, yes, there is a charge for the vaccination itself that is billed to our insurance company, but there is no nurse visit charge or anything like that. And, fortunately, our health insurance does cover things like that. They do appointments for these clinics, too, so it is easy and quick. It is for adults AND kiddos alike (the kids do have to be older than six months, but I think that is true even for giving babies the shots at an appointment, though I could be wrong?).

But mostly, you just need a new ped, someone that you feel you can have time with. I hate, hate, hate insurance, but love, love, love our ped. There are occasional hassles with scheduling and the like, but she is worth it. She might know of a good ped in your area if you are shopping?

I think I have given you the link before, but just in case, you can contact her via her blog: http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/

She tweets, too. I just adore her.

[Sara]

Thank you for the reminder that I need to schedule Noah's flu shot. I keep forgetting and that isn't going to get him in any faster at the ped now is it?

But I'm with you on the crap ped visits and healthcare being a number one priority. As well as DIY fro-yo. I do not waiver on that stance.

[Lucy]

isn't the flu shot only for 6 months and older? so maybe that is why they didn't give charlotte one!

[BigP's Heather]

Ugh. I hate the health care system...the red tape of it.

I HAVE to remember to ask for one at K's 3 year appointment next month...thanks for the reminder.

Also, the only fro-yo place we have is super expensive so I have never been. And it is basically soft serve and then you add your own toppings...

[megan]

Can't you do Claire's at her 3 year appointment? And Charlotte's at her 6 month appointment? Cold and flu season doesn't really start until December, so you have some time.

My pediatrician does clinics. And so does our county board of health. I know that a lot of the CVS-type places won't do them under a certain age.

Good luck

[Pippi]

Healthcare: the #1 reason my husband and I won't be moving back to the States anytime soon. We've thought about -- there are job opportunities for both of us, my family's there, and much cheaper housing. But then we think of the healthcare and insurance situation and we just can't do it.

[Elsha]

UGH with healthcare. I was recently complaining to my friend because I figured out that between what we pay in insurance premiums and our five THOUSAND dollar deductible, we have to pay out like $12,000 a year before our insurance covers anything.

I was especially excited to pay for the doctors visits I had while I was miscarrying-- oh, no baby for you so now you owe us several hundred dollars. THANKS.

Also, 2 hours at the pediatrician? Is ridiculous. I don't think I spent 2 hours there at our last visit and that included well visits for BOTH KIDS.

[Mel]

2 hours at the pediatrician! YOU KNOW, I KNOW. Its ri-frickin-diculous. Hopefully in your case, just a fluke. Sometimes that crap just happens.

I thought flu shot was 6 months and up for some reason, but maybe I am wrong? It is given in two doses if I recall, too? I'd ask for it with the next round of shots. Seems like they get shots at every well visit during the first year.

Like I recently told you, I actually feel bad for most doctors. They go through so much extra school and work to have their career and then some jack-wagon CEO of an insurance company tells them what they are allowed to charge for what they do (and naturally, what we have to pay). And then a bunch of people without healthcare can go to the county and get the shot for free. (on our tax dollars, no less!) It's awesometown USA!