blunders & BILLS

It was a simple spine surgery procedure involving removal of the portion of the spine disk which was causing the pressure on the nerve root. I read a lot about it, did lot of searching to choose the right specialist and hospital for the treatment. But it failed.

I was suffering from nerve compression in the L4-L5 region of lumbar spine for couple of months and visited local doctors as many times to get relieve of the constant pain and condition. I was always advised to take medications, rest + physiotherapy sessions.

After a struggle of more than 4 months, I decided to look for an option to get treated ‘Surgically’ and started doing the online search - whenever I use to type ‘best spine surgeon’ to treat my medical condition, a lot of references would show up and each representing best options whether it was a doctor’s personal website, a hospital’s webstie or medical toursim services related website.

I choosed to trust the doctor’s website considering;

-He is an experienced doctor
-His website is showing number of testimonials as ‘references’
-He is member of many international organizations
-His website is claiming him to be the best in the field

with many self righteous, self certified claims.

Therefore, I went ahead and contacted this doctor who in return arranged the necesary steps to facilitate the medical travel in his country. Upon meeting him, I was explained about the spine surgery operation steps, recovery time and amount to be spend on the surgery. When I asked about the success rate of the spine surgery, the doctor replied -

‘Listen, we are doing this type of spine surgery every day and have vast experience in treating such cases’.

Now lets do a quick recap:
-I’m desparate to get treated
-I’m suffering for long
-I’ve travelled to a different country now looking for solution
-I want an affordable solution considering finanacial arrangements
-I think I’m almost there…

For people looking to get treated at an cost is always scary because you put all your resources in one basket to arrange the funds and in return trust the doctor to see you through and this is what I also did and went ahead for the surgery.

So, admission took place, diagnostics were run and surgery date was alloted. Immediately after operation when I gained senses, I felt a moving pain at the back region and when I told the support staff about it, they said that it will subside in couple of hours time and is very normal.

Then the next day, the pain was worse and I requested the attention of my doctor who operated on me and upon physical examination, he said we should do a repeat MRI.
RESULT: It was observed that one of the screws is not properly placed and is causing the pain…..I told them to fix it. He said he will which means I have to go under the knife again and it will add to the existing bill which means I have to pay more than what was agreed or was quoted to me.

This is heart breaking and more painful. You are the specialist and supposed to do your job to perfection. Your blunder has a direct relationship with my bill.
I was re-operated and this time the results were different.

[i]So what I learned from this:

-I choosed the doctor’s website considering it was the right choice which later turned out to be quite opposite. Who’s is accountable for what is written on such websites and bold claims.

-Why should I pay for your mistakes. Even by mimimizing the second operation costing it still doesn’t solve the main purpose. And it’s very convenient on part of hospital to make you sign the ‘Consent’ form before the surgery.

-During crises, one definitely needs a helping hand. So, it’s always wise to look for the professional options for medical treatment facilitation but do a lot of searching and calling to make them understand your problems and circumstances and to know about them too.

-In cases like my episode, at least you can have someone accountable for their actions by choosing to opt for medical facilitation services company. Make sure you check their credentials, experience and educational background related to medical treatment facilitation and their contract status with the hospitals.

-It’s always wise to check for the back references by connecting with the past patients facilitated by them. But remember to ask for couple of references, not just one or two.



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Medsolin | mail@medsolin.com | www.medsolin.com