cortney barber's blog

This last winter, and now this summer, like many others, I have caught some nasty bugs.  After being sick for quite some time in March, I finally brokedown and went to an M.D. to have some tests done.  I had received my tax refund, so I decided to use that money to go.  When I told my mom I was going, she told me to ask them for a cheaper rate, a no-insurance-discount-rate.  I assured her I would--after all, I didn't want to pay them any more $ then I had to.  But, when I got to the doctor's office, there was a couple of receptionists and a few other patients in the lobby.  I wanted to ask for a better rate, but I was ultimately too embarassed.  I was sick.  I felt weird bargaining for a cheaper price for my own healthcare.  What was it worth to me to get better?  How could I put a price on that and then ask for a cheaper one?

A few weeks back, in my Clinical Seminar (aka "Homeroom") class, a topic came up that got some people, including myself, a bit roused up.  We were sitting in a small circle and discussing specific patient cases when one student explained a predicament that they were in with one of their patients. The patient repeatedly came back to the clinic to see this particular student but each time they came they requested a certain part of their treatment.  For example, the patient wanted a certain set of ear points that a previous student had once done and in which the patient had received incredible relief from their pain from having done, week after week.