Echocardiogram HELL NO

[MRSJONES305 55]

So my surgeon only requires an ekg, which came back normal, then my cardiologist tried to make me get an echo which will cost me 800 out of pocket. I told his ass I'm not getting it because he's just trying to make money off of me. And my surgeon only needs ekg results. Then all of a sudden he was quiet. Damn cardiologist thought he had someone who was dumb.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Actually, your Cardiologist made need something entirely different from your surgeon. Your surgeon and you need a cardiologist clearance.

Even if an EKG is what your surgeon needs, he is also relying on a report from the cardiologist. You can get an EKG from your PCP.

[MRSJONES305 55]

I got cleared without the echocardiogram. It wasn't needed

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I got cleared without the echocardiogram. It wasn't needed

Great. If your cardiologist is comfortable clearing you without it then cool. All I was trying to say is that your cardiologist MAY need tests not required by your surgeon based on your individual situation.

[MRSJONES305 55]

Yes that wasn't the case

[WalkOnWaking 139]

Sounds a lot like the first surgeon I saw.

His requirements meant I had to use a list of folks he referred me to for all insurance requirements, plus extra things that didn't need done (including a photo series of my naked body from various angles - my face would be blurred - how lucky for me! So I could see the changes as I lost weight....Who does that with a doctor's office or with a total stranger??).

Those he referred me to were all standard specialists (cardio workup, dietitian visits, etc.) but none took insurance. So all visits out of pocket.

Edited December 24, 2015 by WalkOnWaking

[MRSJONES305 55]

Right I wasn't having it. I'm not giving up extra money for no reason in particular. My surgeon only wanted ekg clearance . The cardiologist I saw said yes your ekg is great and I want to do other test just because. I told his ass hell no and to send my ekg results over to surgeon and that was all. Wasn't about to pay 800 for a test I don't need . No freaking way in hell .

[cindyw41 761]

My pcp did my ekg, so glad I didn't have to see a cardio. I've had my share of cocky doctors.

Glad you stood up.

Edited December 25, 2015 by cindyw41

[MRSJONES305 55]

My pcp did my ekg, so glad I didn't have to see a cardio. I've had my share of cocky doctors.

Glad you're u stood up.

Yes I was not the one , he was not gonna pimp me for 800 more dollars. Lol

[cindyw41 761]

Just saw my typo.. One should not post having only 3 hrs of sleep. Lol

[AvaFern 3,516]

He doesn't make money off of you being billed for an echo, and even if there is a referral fee, it is nowhere near the $800 you would be paying out of pocket, which let's be honest, to a cardiologist is pocket change.

When they ask for more tests it is so that if you die on the OR table your family can't come back and sue them later. He was well within his legal rights to deny you clearance, although to be fair, he didn't have to. All he has to do is document that he requested an echo, you refused, and if you do die during surgery from a condition that would have been picked up by an echo, he is liability free.

I wouldn't have wanted to pay for an $800 echo either, but he wasn't requiring it to make money off of you. He was asking you for it because whether you have it or you decline, all he has to do to shield himself from liability is note that he asked for a procedure that potentially could have saved your life, you as the autonomous patient declined, and as such your family cannot sue him. He doesn't care about your $800, and to be fair he doesn't care about you. He cares about his practice and his income and he made sure both were protected.

[MRSJONES305 55]

He doesn't make money off of you being billed for an echo, and even if there is a referral fee, it is nowhere near the $800 you would be paying out of pocket, which let's be honest, to a cardiologist is pocket change.

When they ask for more tests it is so that if you die on the OR table your family can't come back and sue them later. He was well within his legal rights to deny you clearance, although to be fair, he didn't have to. All he has to do is document that he requested an echo, you refused, and if you do die during surgery from a condition that would have been picked up by an echo, he is liability free.

I wouldn't have wanted to pay for an $800 echo either, but he wasn't requiring it to make money off of you. He was asking you for it because whether you have it or you decline, all he has to do to shield himself from liability is note that he asked for a procedure that potentially could have saved your life, you as the autonomous patient declined, and as such your family cannot sue him. He doesn't care about your $800, and to be fair he doesn't care about you. He cares about his practice and his income and he made sure both were protected.

I wasn't decline, and secondly his nurse advised me it's an unnecessary test. There's nothing to sue when I have cardiac clearance already.

[lauriev 71]

Sounds a lot like the first surgeon I saw.

His requirements meant I had to use a list of folks he referred me to for all insurance requirements, plus extra things that didn't need done (including a photo series of my naked body from various angles - my face would be blurred - how lucky for me! So I could see the changes as I lost weight....Who does that with a doctor's office or with a total stranger??).

Those he referred me to were all standard specialists (cardio workup, dietitian visits, etc.) but none took insurance. So all visits out of pocket.

The first doctor I went to was like that too. He needed a sleep study that was 900.00 out of pocket, and a bunch of other stuff all out of pocket. I went to another doctor who didn't need any of that stuff and got me cleared through my insurance with no issues.

[WalkOnWaking 139]

@@lauriev, That was another issue with the first surgeon.

When we had the initial consultation, he asked if I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea or GERD or other symptoms of heartburn. I said no sleep apnea, no digestion issues like reflux or heartburn.

He still required a sleep study and referred me to a clinic for that, and an endoscopic procedure done with another practitioner. Neither took insurance.

And then I'd need another EGD two weeks before surgery (but with HIM, who does take my insurance).

I waited a week and called to get my medical records. I was done (stick a fork in me!).