Mad - but still taking it!

dshobbies · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 10:26 PM

I received a jury summons from which I needed to be medically excused. The form required 3 lines be filled out by a doctor. I called my pm, the doctor I see most often, asking if he would fill this out for me... he had already filled out another last year. I was told he now charges $50 to fill out any form, even the 3 line jury excuse or DMV handicap application.

I see this doctor anywhere from monthly to every 3 months. He recently stopped taking Blue Cross (now called Anthem) but agreed to charge me the same price. He takes more than 3 lines of notes at every visit.

Though I understand his need and/or desire to make more money, I too am a victim of the insurance companies. He can't be duly compensated by them so he is now turning to his patients. Costs are going up all over but $50 for 3lines? I can't sit on a jury all day and have no choice.

I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!!!!

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Ouch...

Me too!

mmglobal · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 10:52 PM

Let's all band together....

"We are mad as hell... and we're still taking it!"

Peter Finch would be proud.

nomorepain · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 04:06 AM

i think you will find that when you go before the judge, and explain your situation to the bailiffs and the judge, they will be very understanding, and excuse you from jury duty for that period, even without the back up of a doctors note. I have discussed this prior with a friend who is incharge of the jury pool in another california county, and she has told me in most cases the judges are extremely understanding, if you have reports, x-rays, you may want to take them with you for proof of such. just an opinion, take it for what it's worth, but like you, i would not pay a doctor 50 bucks for filling out the report! just a matter of principal in my book.

Maria · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 05:05 AM

My OSS wanted to charge me $100 a form and this seemed to be after he had gotten mad at me re my SS forms when I was applying for SSD (back in 2000). His secretary completed the forms I needed done and didn't charge me anything. She said "I do all the work and I don't get the money" so she wasn't going to make someone in my circumstances pay.

I have to pay $10 for my continuing Short Term Disability forms which doesn't seem so bad .

I remember writing on my jury duty form that I was "permanently disabled" and since I was didn't that mean even if the forms are kicked out on a routine basis why do I have to keep getting the doctor to say I'm permanently disabled/can't sit/what type of injury I have etc...temporarily I could understand. It's made me not want to register to vote!

Insurance companies suck. I have BCBS, Medicare, and WC for low back. I still end up having to pay too much for too many things...or not getting them period