For all of those on Medicaid

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I honest to GOD do not know, nor care, what insurance my patients have when I am taking care of them. I really don't. (FYI)

The Medicaid families single themselves out, unfortunately. The bad apples spoil the bunch. Regarding medicaid though, it's been my experience that the bunch is by and large bad apples. The respectful and grateful are few and far between.

This has got to be one of the most stereotypical statements I have ever read. Granted, I do see that you tried to soften the blow.

My children have medicaid. I had medicaid when I was pregnant with my youngest (now 2), but no longer qualify and now have no insurance because I can not afford it. For 10 years I worked for an engineering firm and had BCBS as well as AFLAC (making $50k per year). Going to the doctor was no problem. I decided to relocate to be closer to my mother. Partly because one of my children (yes, I have 3), has severe respiratory problems and has been hospitalized a few times (he's only 4) - even been tested for cystic fibrosis (inconclusive results). I secured a position making $8k less per year, but still a doable salary. Unfortunately, I was let go in my probationary period (probably because i missed work due to my son's illness).

Three months after being laid off, I realized I was pregnant. Kind of hard to find a job period in this economy - even worse when you are pregnant. I waitressed at a small restaurant (something I had not done since I was 16) on the weekends before the baby was even 6 weeks old to try to make a buck. Luckily, I did eventually find a job with a decent hourly rate (still $8/hr less than what I made before). I do not get sick leave nor do I qualify for health insurance, but I do the best I can.

I have to admit, that it is a relief to know that I don't have co-payments to worry about or unexpected Rx costs but sometimes it is downright embarrassing. Comments like yours are an example of why. Even though I know I am not what people perceive as the typical medicaid recipient, I AM a medicaid recipient. People are going to look at that and create their own opinion. Should I care? Probably not but as a human being I do.

I start NS in the fall and I hope that I feel the same way as the OP. I hope that I give the highest standard of care - regardless of whether or not the patient is a "bad apple" (be it perceived or actual). :twocents:

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I agree with you OP. Some seem to get upset over perceived different treatment and that is their right. But I tend to think that if people get genuinely different attitudes from healthcare workers, it is more than likely in response to their own very evident attitude.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

In the past:

I have had many medicaid patients that were just wonderful and grateful for any care you gave them....and others that were entitled, system abusing, rude idiots.

Just like with all the other insurance plans.

It just is more frustrating when you get the rude ones & they are on medicaid because our hard work (taxes)is paying for their care. I don't mind at all when they treat the care they get decently and am happy to go the extra mile or two for those patients, but the ones that abuse the system and people caring for them have really got nerve.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

You know what? I usually do check what type of insurance my pt has. Why? Because usually my patients have some type of cancer and they may be in need of extra resources and support after discharge.

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Nevermind.

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Whatever your insurance status, don't be horse's petoot to me, and I won't be a horse's petoot to you.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I think perhaps many of you are missing the OP's point. During the normal course of caring for pts I have no idea what insurance, if any, my pts have and really couldn't care less. For a pt to insinuate that because they have Medicaid I am somehow not providing the same care that I provide to the pt in the next room with private insurance is silly! I don't know, I don't care. If you're ill and need my care you get it!

Now with that said,...there are those folks who make it blatantly clear to me that they are on Medicaid and that they feel entitled to what ever care THEY see fit, because "I'm paying your salary". I have heard that statement from more than one pt. I guess they don't seem to understand that the man in the next room actually pays for his insurance,.his insurance pays better than Medicaid and that Medicaid is provided by the man next door, me and all the other people who pay taxes and contribute. Again,..this really isn't an issue unless the Medicaid pt makes it one. Under most circumstances I honestly don't know and don't care.

I completely understand that Medicaid is a needed service for some. I have no problem with my tax dollars contributing to the care of those who need it. It does get very frustrating though when the pt themselves suddenly makes insurance status an issue or demonstrates that they are taking advantage of a system that is designed to help them while in a tough situation. For example,.I work ER,..and this is a common situation where I work,... 10:30 pm on a Tuesday night,..Mother of pt:"Tommy needs a physical in order to start football camp tomorrow",.Nurse "Wow,.this a pricey way to get a school physical",..Mother "Not for me,..medicaid will pay for it". I of course, just shut up and triage the pt. Mother then gets very angry because she is asked to wait in the waiting room "My kids have school tomorrow, we can't just sit out here for hours". Mother then gets out her IPhone and calls the hospital up the street to see about wait times there.

Or my favorite,...the 17 yr old who comes in at 0200 for a pregnancy test. "I have to have a documented pregnancy to get on WICC".

I can't believe that even the most compassionate, "ohh you just don't understand the issues going on in their lives" type of nurse thinks this is ok! I understand that some people are dealt a raw deal in life. I understand often times people foolishly make poor choices that cause long term difficulties that the just didn't think about at the time. I understand that some folks are too ill to work or are caring for very ill children that take a great deal of care and time. But really? If my kid needs a physical for school, first off I can't afford to take them to the ER,.secondly I have to plan accordingly. I may need to spend my day off waiting at my PCP's office instead of mowing the yard. I may need to get a co worker to cover a couple of hours for me so I can take my kid to the doctor's office. I may need to ask grandma to take her for me. I have to plan accordingly or my kid doesn't get to go to football camp!

Sorry for the rant,....I give the best care I can to all of my pts, as I think we all do, but when the pt makes an issue of being on Medicaid and somehow expecting better care because of it, or rubs it in my face that they are taking advantage of the system because it's "free",..I will admit it makes me a bit angry,.however, I still get the kid back for his physical and the teenager gets a "free" $1200 pregnancy test!

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My son and I are currently on Medicaid (I am pregnant). I am thankful for what I have because without it I would be in big trouble. At the beginning of my pregnancy I worked as a CNA and had to quit because I was unable to preform my job duties as well as I would like to. My OB at the time refused to put me on light duty because he told me I still could lift all my residents with no problem. I felt that I was putting the lives of my residents on the line because I was so tired and sick all the time.

I feel that no matter what insurance we have that we should be treated with respect :twocents:.

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Very well said, RN-Cardiac.

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In the past:

It just is more frustrating when you get the rude ones & they are on medicaid because our hard work (taxes)is paying for their care. I don't mind at all when they treat the care they get decently and am happy to go the extra mile or two for those patients, but the ones that abuse the system and people caring for them have really got nerve.

I realize that there are a lot of people that abuse the system and don't work at all but what makes so many think that people on medicaid aren't also contributing by paying taxes? As I mentioned before, my kids are on medicaid. I'm not rude. I act the same way I did when I had "regular" insurance. I don't feel like I owe every American a big thank you for "paying for their insurance". I work. I have worked since I was 16 and am now in my 30's.

Instead of being upset with the people that are abusing the system, I think people should be upset with the system that allows it! I know people that are laid off than can't get any type of assistance because they don't "qualify" i.e. they are honest about their income while others are obviously lying and keep receiving. That is a discussion for another day, I suppose.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

"As I mentioned before, my kids are on medicaid. I'm not rude. I act the same way I did when I had "regular" insurance. I don't feel like I owe every American a big thank you for "paying for their insurance". I work. I have worked since I was 16 and am now in my 30's.".

And I would happily go the extra miles for you and anyone who treats me decently no matter what their coverage.

However, some on Medicaid (and other insurances) are the opposite of you, and it is especially galling to be treated outrageously by someone you are helping to provide coverage for.

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This has got to be one of the most stereotypical statements I have ever read. Granted, I do see that you tried to soften the blow.

"In my experience" does not equal "All medicaid recipients."

Please show me what part of "in my experience" was tripping you up and I'll try and clarify for you.

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