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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by throwaway38575061@lemmy.world to c/mildlyinfuriating@lemmy.world

She literally called me at the time of the appointment to tell me she can't see me. She was so apologetic, but was like "I absolutely can treat you, but I'm not allowed by your insurance". Fuck this country.

Update: I went to urgent care. Before leaving home, I called to be sure they would accept my insurance (Aetna). They said yes.. After arriving for my appointment, they told me they do not accept my insurance. I will simply leave without paying.

Final Update: I can understand that that differences in physical biology demand different attention. That's not what I'm complaining about. It's the way it's set up. I was told that at my appointment. Why not just refer me to a specialist? The website could've even just referred me to urgent care (yes, my insurance requires a primary care physician's referral for urgent care, according to the urgent care facility). But, no, their goal is to obfuscate and irritate until the patient gives you and pays out-of-pocket.

I was able to receive care at a cost I could not afford. I won't discuss what I had to do to "find" the money to pay for care and prescriptions. That being said, the condition I was diagnosed with was more serious than a simple infection, and I'm glad that I saw a doctor. I need further treatment and just hope I can get insurance to cover any of it.

If you're an American reading this, please consider ways to get involved in organizing in support of Medicare For All in your community. Here is one resource I have found. We don't need to live like this. We deserve better. Stay safe and healthy, friends.

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[-] racer983@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

This is mildly infuriating, I can give you a little more context though if you're interested. I don't know exactly about contracts between insurance companies and CVS so I can't speak to that definitely. Probably something related to how much insurance is willing to pay minute clinic for such a short visit, and what things are feasible to address in such a short visit (hence CVS only allowing certain complaints).

I think this is something to do with the concept of "uncomplicated" vs "complicated" uti. Complicated utis are when there's an increased danger of serious complications from a uti or increased likelihood of failing a typical antibiotic therapy. Utis in men are much much rarer than women, and are considered to be an automatic "complicated" uti by many. The greater length of the urethra in men helps prevent bacteria from being able to travel up to the bladder, whereas in women the short distance allows for this to happen much more frequently. So when a male has a UTI there is a much greater chance there will be complicating factors like prostate issues, structural problems, kidney stones, kidney infection, catheter use, atypical bacteria, etc. If you look more into their info on utis, they also state if they suspect any of those things, even in women, they won't treat it and will just refer you to someone else, probably the Ed or a real urgent care clinic. Since the odds of that are much greater in men, they probably aren't allowed to have longer appointments in minute clinic based on what insurance will pay for what they're providing, they just decided to not see that at all in minute clinic. Looks like they do see men for sexually transmitted infections though, which are actually the most common cause of utis in young men, so if that's a concern looks like they would be able to see people for that.

But I totally agree with you, fuck insurance companies in general.

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[-] cedarmesa@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
[-] lhx@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yea it will. Just not at a minute clinic. You need to go to an actual urgent care or primary care doctor.

[-] seedbrage@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Just want to throw my 2c in. I'm a physician and from our perspective male UTIs are rare and warrant a much more thorough medical evaluation by a professional, compared to female UTIs which are extremely common and don't require a thorough (or even in-person) evaluation in most cases. If I had a male patient with a UTI and no other know medical history I would insist they are seen by a physician for a complete evaluation. From other comments here it seems that CVS does not employ physicians in their clinic.

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[-] 4am@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

There is no fucking shot she is correct. If your insurance won’t cover it then man just cancel it, they’d probably not even cover an ER visit, it should be cheaper to not have it.

Also, report them to your state’s DOI.

Is it because CVS is out of network? Have them bill, get denied, and then appeal it. Put that it would be cheaper than an ER visit for them.

[-] SchrodingersDude@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

BREAKING: Men do, in fact, pee

[-] thefatesmith@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

thats what you get for having a penis.

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[-] elenmirie@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Gawd, I know it happens more often in women but my husband had a nasty recurring UTI for a few months - they absolutely took it seriously and treated him! WTF, I hope you manage to get treated. ETA: UK

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[-] citsuah@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 year ago

do get it treated OP, however one does that in that joke of a country you're unfortunate enough to live in. Do know that unlike female UTIs which are relatively common and often uncomplicated if treated, male UTIs are not common and CAN herald some other underlying pathologies (such as urinary stones, blockages, anatomical problems etc) which should be properly investigated. So do go see a doctor if you're able to.

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[-] Midnitte@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

It's a good thing we have private insurance in the US. You have the freedom of choice! (/s)

Can you visit a general practitioner for treatment? It'll take a lot longer... but I would imagine they can give a prescription - even if it's not covered.

[-] curiosityLynx@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Mildly infuriating?

[-] FuzzyDoublePumper@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Hypothetically, in an emergency situation, you could get fish antibiotics from your local pet store. Not the best idea but an untreated infection isn't good either.

[-] iceycake@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Have you try other online services (no insurance need) like GoodRX care? I don’t see you need 16 or older for UTI in their options.

[-] tigaente@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

That's disgusting if you ask me.

Also, you have to be 18+ for getting a contraception appointment. I guess teens in the US are also having sex like teens in other parts of the world and would very much need access to contraceptives, right?

[-] throwaway38575061@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Correct, they sure are. And abortion rights are under attack. Those teens won't even have a chance.

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[-] goldenbug@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I am sorry this is happening to you. I cannot even phantom why this is the case, anyone could please explain to me why UTIs are not covered for men?

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[-] itsjustxan@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

This country is ripe for a revolution.

[-] BurnTheRight@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

There is a cause and there is a solution for our disgusting system.

Conservatives (including neo-liberals) serve corporations, not citizens. If we can marginalize conservatives (including neo-liberals), then we can have nice things like the other 31 developed nations on earth.

This cannot improve while conservatives (including neo-liberals) have power in our nation's government. Period.

[-] GandhiTheDerg@pawb.social 1 points 1 year ago

Land of the free

[-] mirror_slap@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Get D.Mannose and take like 2 grams a day till it's gone. Mileage may vary, but it cured my wife of recurrent UTIs after more than 20 infections.

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this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2023
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Mildly Infuriating

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