Matt and I are currently uninsured. Again. It's a long story but let me just say that being a full-time graduate student family for four years has found us neglected in the crevices of our nation's insurance system many times.I know, I know. It's a very risky business to be uninsured in America and we shouldn't take our chances. But Matt and I console ourselves that at least we're adults and can exercise preventative healthy practices to keep ourselves out of the doctor's office. And we make certain the kids are always covered somehow.
Anyways, Matt has horrific sinuses and is constantly struggling with allergies to boot. A few weeks back he acquired a mild version of H1N1 and as with every type of illness, it developed into a sinus infection. Matt often tries to muscle through a sinus infection or he'll ask his folks to get some antibiotics for him from Mexico. (Yes, we have resorted to foreign prescriptions several times. You wouldn't believe how much cheaper things are in Mexico. Wish I could go there for a tummy tuck. )
After two weeks of trying to get by, Matt couldn't take it any longer. We decided to pay out of pocket for him to visit the doctor. Matt's doc is a single guy who's very laidback and seems to be understanding about our financial situation. So, Matt thought he'd try bartering with the doc for some free medicine.
I've read a few articles on bartering and trading in the 21st century and I whole-heartedly dig the idea! Of course, bartering/trading will only work for service professions but I think the idea is fantastic. We've practiced trading on a small scale with some mommy friends by doing a babysitting swap group and it's worked out perfectly!
Well, Matt went in prepared to offer the doctor a personalized bound hard cover journal. (My husband is a man of unique hobbies. He built a book press in our basement and can publish and bind small books and journals.) I was skeptical the doc would take Matt up on his offer but proud of Matt for thinking so creatively and being willing to try!
Long story longer, the doc said YES to Matt's offer! He loved the journal and promptly left the examining room to get Matt some free antibiotics.
However, as the title of this post alludes, the transaction wasn't successful. The antibiotics the doc offered to Matt contained penicillin. Of which Matt is highly allergic. Bummer.
Now Matt is obliged to make the doctor a journal despite the fact that he didn't get any free meds out of the deal. Oh well. A handmade journal will certainly make for a good patient-doc relationship! I'm excited that the deal almost worked. Gives me hope and confidence that we can try bartering again in the future.
Have any of you ever tried the bartering method?
7 comments:
I guess I don't understand why Matt still has to give the man a bound journal... didn't the doctor understand the terms of the barter?
HA! When I first read the title, I thought it said BARTENDING! I was like, "WHAT?!?!" Ha! Big time baby brain! I've never tried the bartering thing. I guess I'm too "reserved" to think that people would want to do that. Good for Matt though! He's more daring than I am!
That's great! It made me laugh because a missionary wife here got paid for a piano lesson the other day with a live chicken. :-)
I think bartering is great, but I'm too inhibited to do it myself.
Ruth: He doesn't have to make the doc a journal . . . he just feels like he should. Thinks it would continue a good relationship.
Abby: Nope, we are NOT venturing into bartending no matter how desperate we get for money! :)
Karis: Hmm, I think I'd be ok with getting a chicken as payment. But it'd have to be dead first!
My dad is a landscaper & he totally bartered almost all of our dental care (even the removal of me & my sister's wisdom teeth). So sorry Matt has been sick. I've had a sinus infection, too & the antibiotics have gotten me all riled up (as in - tummy sick which is NO FUN!). Here's hoping he feels better quick!
*Just a quick thought - since you have no prescription drug coverage, have you checked to see if there is a discount card available with your pharmacy? They don't always offer it, but usually there is one they can try to use if you ask for it.
Al, I can totally understand why Matt would feel like it was the right thing to do... I hope my comment didn't come off as critical. I was just confused. :)
from what i understand the docs get LOTS of free meds so it seems like he should have been able to give him penicillin-free antibiotics without receiving any compensation. another thing i learned from my mexican dad is that you can ask for a one-shot antibiotic injection at the doc's office which is cheaper (free?) than buying a week-long or 10-day prescription from a pharmacy. i don't know why they don't offer injections if it is cheaper & faster to get it done with one shot. maybe because americans hate shots so docs don't even offer? i have tried it with a child & it was so much better to get the antibiotic dosing over with at once than to stretch it out over a 2-times-a-day, 10-day period.
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