Is It a Choice?

The research coordinator sat next to me and said “his insurance will only approve a phase 3 or phase 4 trial, and while this trial you are offering him is a phase 3 they have denied it anyway!” Frustrated she also added “we are in the process of appealing this, but it could take up to 30 days.” I stared into the cubicle I was sitting in. I never check which insurance company a patient has nor do I understand the “what is allowed or what is not.” I had met my patient a week ago and I counseled him with options that I felt would best serve his treatment and his goals. How do I explain that his recommended treatment is off -limits due to insurance, and we need to consider an alternative? Why should I? I honestly did not want to.

I have practiced medicine in many different systems. In Jordan, recommendations for treatment are often coupled with a price tag. It is one of the big reasons why I do not practice there, and feel that a health care system does not need to discriminate in care based on a patient’s financial abilities. I have blogged about this hindrance previously and I do this again as I feel passionate about patient care and where it may be heading.

In the modern health system of seeing patients in 20 min, we have to discuss an incredibly difficult and complex disease in the matter of minutes with our patients. The industry of medicine has truly become too demanding and very bulky. From a physician perspective there is a need to understand the exciting number of breakthroughs in cancer research at the same time present unbiased informed consent to patients explaining treatment options and offering a true reflection of what knowledge is out there. This is coupled with an explosion of technology, electronic medical records systems, the almost immediate availability of information, test results and expectations. The physician now faces the dilemma of appealing denied insurance claims to render his decision for the selected treatment “allowable”.

Patient’s choices are limited by which insurance they belong to which clinical trials are available to them for cancer care. It’s the art of medicine to help the patient navigate such hard choices and ensure a good decision is made. I am a believer that everyone should have health insurance, however in our system it appears that some are better than others reminding me of the novel “Animal Farm.”

My patient looked at me and said, “I want what you think is best for me in the treatments you have outlined for me.” This is a huge responsibility to walk a patient through a network of decisions influenced by the many changes taking place around us, yet we are being asked to do this in a very short period of time influenced by the politics of insurance companies. So I am left with a simple question today as I blog, is it a choice?

Mo

 

 

Cage.

It’s about a mile walk from my clinic to my office. A small part of that walk is outside. Grey was the sky, a cold wind penetrated my shirt but not enough for a jacket I thought. A light drizzle of rain. I guess this is the “Ambience” of this blog. I sighed deeply as I walked, the conversation of the day speaking inside me. I could feel each step, each bone in my body ached. And I walked distracted.

“I am sorry but your insurance will not accept me treating you on this clinical trial.”

Shell Shocked.

I did not go into medicine to be forbidden to treat someone with what I felt would be the best option for them. I imagined myself a rare bird stuck in a cage realizing the boundaries of the system that I existed in.  My wings unable to soar. My perceived freedom now defined by outward forces beyond my control. I felt the bars close in and force my decisions. A slave to the system that I have now discovered is not  easy to navigate. “This is all I have to treat you with”.  I did not even want to be in the room anymore as I spoke to this human. Where did my compassion go?  I longed for the freedom to decide the best treatment. I wanted to soar and my anger rattled me.  I flew into the bars wanting them to bend. I felt the imposition of the system. Where are the tools to help my patient today?  This is coming from someone who does not take “no” lightly.

I walked to my office, and talked to my boss. An incredible man to say the least. He let me talk. Like a cushion he absorbed this shock. This is not the first time that this has happened.

I have always liked the political cartoons of the past. They speak volumes in pictures. Intelligently portraying the issues of the time. I sat and read some of the “Far Side” cartoons on my couch. Humor a mature psychological defense mechanism like an old teacher showing the way.

Here is my picture for you- “Imagine”:

That despite this cage; this bird today sang.

I still found a way to deliver my care.

Mo