Physical Exam Cost Punishing Letter Of The Week: From Aug. 1, 1997

Are we de-evolving to the haves and the have nots?

I’m not sure if this problem applies to the Spokane area - I suspect that it may but it certainly does in the Coeur d’Alene area.

As a single mother trying to make ends meet on high-end poverty wages, I am appalled that I was charged $317.51 to undergo a “routine” physical. Being a new patient, I can somewhat understand that I may have to pay a little bit more to set up my file. However, I did not even see the doctor only one of her nurse practitioners. I’m convinced that maybe nurses know as much, if not more, than the physician does, but no one ought to be charged that much money for something as simple as a physical.

I do have insurance, as well as a wellness rider, but my deductible is $200 and the rider pays only up to $100 per calendar year.

If doctors are no longer in their profession for the old altruistic reasons - people’s health but for what insurance money they can recover, then the consumer has every right to not tolerate price gouging. Good grief just think if there was something really wrong! I can see that my children and I will not be able to afford the luxury of a family physician. Doctors who charge nearly a half month’s wages (which is what I was charged) ought to be ashamed of themselves. I can see the days of socialized medicine approaching. Karen L. VanDyke Coeur d’Alene

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