Wondering about MRIs with medicaid

[lilmonkiesmama]

Hi, so I will try to keep this short lol. My son was sent home from school from being so dizzy he couldn't walk and was throwing up. It wasn't a stomach bug, we talked to neurologist yesterday around 4:00 in the afternoon. He was ho hum and beat around the bush about getting an MRI done. He was like well the seizures he is having could possibly be causing these new symptoms, but just to be sure let's do an MRI. I'm not saying it is, but we see these symptoms in patients with brain tumors and brain cysts, so let's do an MRI just to make everyone feel better, again I'm not saying that is what it is, but lets just make everyone feel better. He continued on trying to make it seem like it was ME he was doing this for.

I never mentioned wanting him to have an MRI (I was planning to lol, but hadn't yet) and he just keep saying it would make me feel alot better. So we hang up and he calls back in about 20 minutes or so and says ok Monday morning at 8:05 he has an MRI. I was kinda like WOW that is quick, and he said make sure to explain to him how it will work and that he HAS to hold still. Otherwise we have to sedate him and that can take a while to get in and we need this asap. Then he back pedals again by trying to cover that up and say well there isn't a rush to get it done, it would just make everyone feel better.

So if there isn't a rush to get it done then how and why is it being done so quick? I mean basically over night since you can't count the weekends. My son also has state insurance since his father is ordered to carry insurance, but won't. If anyone has dealt with Medicaid you know how long referrals can take for other procedures. So I am just wondering if anyone else has gotten an MRI done that quick when it didn't "NEED" to be done quick. I am glad it is being done so fast, I am just starting to go into panic mode.

Thanks in advance
Nicole

[moose53]

Nicole,

In terms of treatment for your son, the MRI is probably a good idea to determine what's going on.

Now -- the other part -- the speed with which the MRI was scheduled. Some doctors (and hospitals) LOVE getting hooked up with either Medicaid or Medicare. The monies received are less than what they would get from a company like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, but, if you multiply less money by a whole herd of people getting the procedure(s) done, the totals add up.

My concern is that the doctor sounds like a http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/moose53/MINIS/ANIMALS/jackass.gif. If you have a kid with seizures and some sort of neurological problem going on, the MRI is NOT being done to allay Mommy's fears; it's being done because it's absolutely necessary/critical to have the MRI done.

Pop over to the Child Neurology forum (http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=115). There are a lot of Moms and Dads there that have kids with seizures disorders, parents that also understand that fear that you get when your kid is sick. You'll get a warm welcome and a lot of support and some good, practical advice about dealing with idiot doctors and government insurance.

I'm sorry that your boy is sick. This is the best place for you to be to get the kind of moral and emotional and practical support that you need right now.

BIG HUGS (and welcome).

Barb

[lilmonkiesmama]

Thanks Barb, I will definitely be heading over to that forum. I haven't searched around much on here because something always comes up and I have to sign out lol.

I do know the MRI is the best thing, and am very happy it is happening and so soon. I wanted this in the beginning because nobody knew what was going on and they tried to say it was just in his head or it was just an over dramatized headache:rolleyes: but they said it would take a long time and there wasn't a need for it.

Guess they finally see the need:rolleyes:

Either way, thanks again and have a great night
Nicole

[Bahamaroot]

(((Nicole)))

As an epileptic and migraine sufferer since childhood I'm sitting here biting my tongue hopping it will remind me that this is a public forum. I remember reading your first thread and them I come to this. The first thing I have to say is, it is about **** time! If your poor child has been suffering severe headaches or migraines along with some other type of chronic pain due to seizure activity or for whatever reason, AND has already been diagnosed with epilepsy, an MRI is the FIRST thing they should have done for him! Don't worry about why they are doing it now or how fast they were able to get it scheduled, just be happy that they are doing it and very mad that it wasn't done sooner!:mad: Best wishes to you and your wonderful boy!

[lilmonkiesmama]

(((Nicole)))

As an epileptic and migraine sufferer since childhood I'm sitting here biting my tongue hopping it will remind me that this is a public forum. I remember reading your first thread and them I come to this. The first thing I have to say is, it is about **** time! If your poor child has been suffering severe headaches or migraines along with some other type of chronic pain due to seizure activity or for whatever reason, AND has already been diagnosed with epilepsy, an MRI is the FIRST thing they should have done for him! Don't worry about why they are doing it now or how fast they were able to get it scheduled, just be happy that they are doing it and very mad that it wasn't done sooner!:mad: Best wishes to you and your wonderful boy!

I couldn't agree more! I asked and asked when this all started, they did a cat scan and said that was sufficient enough. At the time I didn't know what was going on, or what to think, they said if cat scan was normal no need for an MRI. After things started getting worse I continued to ask and they wouldn't.

We went yesterday for MRI and my son ended up being :eek: about it. They didn't tell me it was going to be with contrast so I didn't know anything about it. They also wouldn't let me go back so he freaked out and couldn't breath. I called Neurologist right then and there and demanded to talk to the doctor or the nurse. I got a Valium prescribed within 5 minutes and an appointment to return that night. They end up calling a couple of hours later saying they forgot he had to have the iv and no doctor would be there :rolleyes: so to come in the morning.

We went this morning and he had the Valium, but still couldn't handle it. I took off everything metal and told them I was going back bc this WAS being done. I signed a paper and went in, he saw me come in and calmed down. I just had my hand on his leg and he fell right to sleep for the whole thing. That is all they had to do, but they wouldn't even stand there long enough for him to knock out:(

About 4 hours after getting done the doctor called with the results and thankfully everything was normal, only problem is now we are back to square one. I am calling the pediatrician tomorrow to push through the eye appointment.