Why do you avoid healthcare?
I started to respond to a link on DU, and then realized that my response didn't matter, and canceled it. But it got me to thinking that maybe there was a better group, and that perhaps I should ask questions, instead of just complain.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016334372
Over many years I have avoided going to doctors for a number of reasons. First of all, avoidance. If you ignore a problem it will just go away, right?
Second, I really hate the whole process of calling providers, setting up appointments, all of that stuff. Anxiety is a huge problem exacerbated by some really mean and condescending people over the years (doctors and their supporting staff).
This is on top of all of the insurance bullshit. I spent the first 10 years of my career in Medical Billing as a software person doing claims (both electronic and paper, anyone remember those?) in an effort to maximize provider income (exploiting contracts, finding better ICD9 codes to use to maximize profit, etc). I've been out of that business for 20 years now, but it's clear that the situation hasn't improved.
So, here is a recent experience I had. Every couple of years my Primary Care doc schedules me for an echocardiogram. It's been done by a cardiologist in his practice. This year it was denied by insurance, so the appointment was cancelled. Why? Some vague insurance bullshit about the type of practice the cardiologist was billing from was no longer acceptable to them.
My first reaction was to just say, oh well, and go another year (I've already let it slide 6 months), that's easier, right? I have done this in the past when a refill for Diabetes medication suddenly went up by thousands (yes, you read that right). But I found out that I will be covered if I go to a specialist practice, so that is what I am doing. Instead of just an echo, I will get whole damn thing - stress test, various scans, lots of other really expensive tests, all because the insurance bureaucrat determined that a test recommended by my doctor wasn't necessary. And I am doing the same for my spouse, doubling their cost. I have had enough and will stand up for myself, no more avoidance.
Who knows, maybe it will be good in the end, especially if something is found.
But, this kind of bullshit is exactly why I avoid dealing with medical stuff unless I have no other choice.
Enough about me, why do you avoid healthcare?
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That was my motto for years. I didn't live too fast, too old to die young and my corpse will be burned. 
. . .after having the NY state version of the ACA. . .I have had no issues with doctors, examinations, etc. Oh, and with few, if any issues with insurance trying to horn in on medical procedures.
G*d help the GOP if they try to take those away from me. #FAFO
anxiety/ panic attacks about anything dealing with my health. When I do go to Kaiser, they have always treated me with great kindness and understanding (nurses are angels). They have been pretty thorough addressing any concerns or health issues, but testing or exploratory procedures seem to be a huge part of things. I understand, up to a point but geez. By they time they get done with the scans, etc I am nothing but a huge basket case. I make a joke about it and say "Hey, I was a teacher for 38 years and I don't like flunking any kind of test", but it's really not funny. It's a major source of stress. Even getting my blood work done is stressful. I have no problem with the actual withdrawing of the blood etc. It's when the results start coming in over my phone...Beep Beep Beep every five minutes. I freak out and then when I look at the results I get all upset if any of the numbers aren't perfect. All this and I actually am pretty darn healthy for a 60 something. Well...There ya are. I just shared my nuttiness with you!
