When I filled out the "get-to-know-you" paperwork for the next new doctor's office I was going to try, I was a little skeptical. Among the questions were things like: "Do you strive for optimal health on a daily basis?" That's kind of a loaded question becuase, really, who doesn't want to be healthy? But we all have *those* days.

Anyway. I looked passed it. I was still a little skeptical, though. Especially when I walked into the office. Granted, I was in one of the swankier parts of town, but there was a waterfall in the waiting room. And the girls at the front desk all had nails as long as their fingers and shirts that said: Got Hormones? or something like that.

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As a reporter I've interviewed a lot of people in a variety of situations. Part of that job is not being intimidated. You have to go into an interview knowing how to control the situation.

But calling the offices of potential endocrinologists and asking for an interview appointment was a completely different scenario. Especially since most places I called said "Oh, the doctor doesn't do that." So half of my questions went out the window because I wound up talking to a medical assistant.

Some example answers I got:

*If I call with a question, who will get back to me and when? Most likely a medical assistant usually within 48 hours, but sometimes up to 72 hours.

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My cousin H asked me the other day if I had found a new doctor yet. No, I told her I hadn't made any calls yet. I feel sort of weird about doctor hopping, but that's the way it has to be. 

I've never been in this situation before, so it's no wonder that I didn't think of making an "interview appointment" sooner. We interviewed pediatricians when I was pregnant with No. 1, so it makes sense that you should be able to do it with physicians in other areas. I did at one point consider calling offices and asking to talk to the office manager or main nurse, but I really wasn't sure I'd get the answers I was looking for. Actually, I'm not sure the doctor will be able to answer all these questions, but someone in the office should be able to.

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I feel like a complete dipsh*t.

I was so hung up on finding the best care for myself that instead of taking the time to investigate my options (as I have been doing today) I quickly went for an option that was out of my price range.

While the roughly $800 I owe Mayo is inconsequential compared to what I may be faced with if I didn't have insurance or what other people may face, it's still a blow to my pocketbook right now.

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I really hate to say this, but I've got to start over again. Searching for a doctor, this is.
 

It started when I got my bill from Mayo for Dr. A's appointment. I nearly flipped when I saw the $400 tab. I seriously didn't think that out-of-network costs were that much. I was prepared to pay $100; maybe $200 max. It got worse when I got the bill for M1 and M2… another $400. This all came in the mail around the same time I got my notice for a follow up appointment with M1. I'm going to have to cancel.
 

I've learned two things recently that will hopefully help with this out-of-control billing. My employer has a health advocate, that, among other things, can help with fee negotiation. Add to that, out of network charges can be applied to my deductible. So, although I'll be in debt to Mayo indefinitely, hopefully the fees won't be so high.
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I have to take issue with something my new, wonderful treatment team seems to think. Dr. A said, "It really doesn't matter what type of diabetes you have as long as you have an effective treatment method." While I mostly agree with him, I have to say that a lot of people with diabetes want the distinction; we want to know the label. Because even though the treatment method may be the same, it’s still different.

Despite me rattling off a list of drugs meant for people with Type 2 that I tried and that didn't work, and telling him my c-peptide result (<0.1), Dr. A still said, "I think you are Type 2."

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