The Lady Behind the Desk

*rant* Today I went for my blood draw to be typed and cross matched, all this lovely stuff that needs to be done pre-op. No biggie, I've had it done loads of times. And today was no different. Except when it came to the interaction with the Lady Behind the Desk.

I was informed that I need to pay my deductible IN ADVANCE. I said, excuse me, but I didn't bring $1000 with me. She said "Just wait, I'll call your doctor and see if this is ~emergent~." Um, excuse me again, but would I go through with all of this if is wasn't a medical necessity?? (Of course, my doctor said yes, its emergent.) But what would they do? reschedule this two days before hand? WTF is up with that?

Then the Lady Behind the Desk asked, well, more like demanded, that I pay half the deductible today. Um, I think not. Well, how much can you pay? A couple hundred. She's not satisfied with my answer. I said Look, I'm not trying to get out of paying what's rightfully mine to pay, I just want to set up a payment plan. The Lady Behind the Desk did not look pleased.

I have to say that I was not all that impressed with a huge hospital who tends to cater to those on "financial assistance" already. Why is it that a white woman who comes in wanting to set up a payment plan gets dissed and badgered for payment, while the brown woman who wasn't born in this country gets preferential interpreters and no money exchanges hands?? Now, I'm not trying to be prejudiced in any way, but I am feeling rather discriminated against, and that's wrong.

You can be sure when filling out the "How did we do?" questionnaire, they will hear about this. I have already begun writing a letter of complaint. I realize that a hospital system wants to get paid, but I have insurance that pays 80%. So it's not like they're getting nothing against this about to be incurred expense. For the sake of argument, a $10,000 and they will get $8,000 right off the bat. I just want the right to be able to make a few payments on the balance. It's how I've always done it. It's how Chandler Regional did it just last year for me. If I had a choice, I'd be back at Chandler Regional again, too.

This patient is smarter and wiser now. Never again will I grace the halls of Banner Desert, or any other Banner Health organization. And the Lady Behind the Desk won't have put the squeeze on my checkbook again.