Health.com's Suz Redfearn is advocating insurance fraud
A website called Health.com has posted an article by Suz Redfearn that openly advocates insurance fraud:
Thanks to KevinMD for flagging this story.
UPDATE:
Here's another "classy" article written by this same author. I wonder if she's as proud of this piece of journalism as the one mentioned above?
Your insurer doesn’t want to pay for a colonoscopy if it’s not necessary. But if your best friend is diagnosed with colon cancer and you want the $675 test to put your mind at ease, here’s how to get one covered: Mention to your doctor that you’ve had some blood in your stool and a lot of gas lately—or simply that your bowel habits have changed. Your plan has to pay for the test if you have gastro complaints, health experts say.This is beyond irresponsible journalism and has moved into the realm of promoting a crime. Such duplicity also undermines the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship. My own thought is that anyone concerned about such a piece should blog about it. Be sure to include the name of this author in your post heading for the benefit of the search engines. That's: SUZ REDFEARN. Also include the website's contact URL.
Thanks to KevinMD for flagging this story.
UPDATE:
Here's another "classy" article written by this same author. I wonder if she's as proud of this piece of journalism as the one mentioned above?
posted by The Medicine Man at 12:54 AM
2 Comments:
I am an adult nurse practitioner who administers IV conscious sedation for endoscopic procedures.
First, this is obviously not a colonoscopy but a flexible sigmoidoscopy. It costs a lot more for the more extensive procedure that checks the right side of the large bowel in addition to the transvers and descending colon. And sedation typically is not given for the flexible sigmoidoscopy. Most patients do not require colorectal cancer screenings before the age of 50.
The National Cancer Institute has a wonderful site that explains the various options available for colorectal cancer screening. I would encourage all patients to discuss their risks with their providers and not resort to subterfuge or lying in order to obtain a test that may not be necessary.
I sent a letter to Health stating my disappointment with their decision to publish an article that advocates lying and deception in the patient-provider relationship. Healthcare providers already manage patients who claim they take all their medications as prescribed, who exercise as recommended, and who avoid dangerous health practices. Let's add another nail of skepticism to the communication coffin.
Dear Mary,
"Let's add another nail of skepticism to the communication coffin."
My point exactly.
John
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