Just Because I'm From the States Doesn't Mean I'm George W's Best Friend
"Hi, Mrs. Cleaver? This is Dr. M's office. Your son's pediatrician referred him to us for allergy testing? Yes, well, we have an appointment open on November 3rd, but before we book that appointment, Dr. M needs to know your nationality. Specifically, whether or not you are American, because the doctor will not be able to see your son, if you are of American nationality."
Of course, I immediately returned her call, and demand to know exactly why the Good Doctor doesn't see Americans.
"Well," she spluttered, "I think maybe the doctor doesn't believe that Americans are covered by your UHIP plan."
"But UHIP specifically insures international residents. So he should know that I'm covered. Are you sure there isn't some other reason the doctor would rather not see my son?
"Oh, yes, I, ah, see the copy of your card here. I think the doctor thinks Americans aren't covered with this."
"They are," I said.
"Well, I see. I'll have him call you just as soon as he gets back from vacation on the 23rd."
Just to be sure, I called my insurance company.
"Of COURSE you're covered", the agent said. "That's like someone telling me I can't see a doctor because I'm black. There's something else going on here."
No shit. I saved the message, Dr. M., And once I've cooled down enough, I'll decide what I want to do here.
"Hi, Mrs. Cleaver? This is Dr. M's office. Your son's pediatrician referred him to us for allergy testing? Yes, well, we have an appointment open on November 3rd, but before we book that appointment, Dr. M needs to know your nationality. Specifically, whether or not you are American, because the doctor will not be able to see your son, if you are of American nationality."
Of course, I immediately returned her call, and demand to know exactly why the Good Doctor doesn't see Americans.
"Well," she spluttered, "I think maybe the doctor doesn't believe that Americans are covered by your UHIP plan."
"But UHIP specifically insures international residents. So he should know that I'm covered. Are you sure there isn't some other reason the doctor would rather not see my son?
"Oh, yes, I, ah, see the copy of your card here. I think the doctor thinks Americans aren't covered with this."
"They are," I said.
"Well, I see. I'll have him call you just as soon as he gets back from vacation on the 23rd."
Just to be sure, I called my insurance company.
"Of COURSE you're covered", the agent said. "That's like someone telling me I can't see a doctor because I'm black. There's something else going on here."
No shit. I saved the message, Dr. M., And once I've cooled down enough, I'll decide what I want to do here.
posted by The June Cleaver Diaries at 3:22 PM
12 Comments:
It had to happen sooner or later. Eventually everyone abroad thinks we (all of us)brought this lunatic cowboy into office. Didn't anyone hear about the Florida voting snafu? Connect the dots, people! Jeb Bush rigged the Florida votes! Now give June Cleaver some damn coverage!
You know if they think this about you (being an American), just imagine what they think about those of us from Texas. It's simply awful.
I am amazed that Dr. M's employee was so, um VERBAL on the phone with you with regard to being AMERICAN. She could have said British, or French or German. Hell, she could have just said FOREIGN. But she didn't. Quite telling.
Argh. That's all. Just ARGH.
WTF?
I was on a flight back to the states from the UK sitting next to an Australian man who couldn't believe we have such a dope in office. When you try to make it all make sense... it still doesn't make sense. But even Canadians (and that's not meant to sound as condescending as it does) must know about the 49.9%ers. Don't they?
send all the stunned "how did you elect such a stupid cowboy" folke here:
http://www.sorryeverybody.com/
have them visit the gallery.
I thought about that. Maybe there's more to it than I know. But still, you'd think that the receptionist could think of a better way to phrase whatever it was that she was trying to say.
Anyway, no matter. We're going to a different doctor.
People are the same everywhere. We like to think we're open minded here in the US, but there's always some bozo making sure we look like a bunch of bigoted fools. It sucks that you were on the business end of this, but it does warm my heart that it happens in Canada, too-I've had to hear about how backwards and bigoted the US is compared to Canada so. many. times. that a tiny, petty part of me just said "See! It happens to foreigners in Canada too!"
Argh! Can we remind the world (again) that a majority of we USians voted against GW the first time around? That he's our Commander in Chief because of an outdated and insane Electoral College system? And a corrupted network of cronyism and nepotism? Most of us didn't want him! And still don't! Really! Don't discriminate against us!
Glad to hear you're going to a different doctor. Hope the allergies are no big deal.
Okay de-lurking to say...The issue seems to be coverage of the doctor's fees not who you voted for. Because in Canada all Canadian citizens get free medical care. Quite simply, the doctor wasn't sure whether he'd get paid or not. When I anyone in my family goes to the doctor we simply present our health card and that's it. No money exchanges hands. The doctor then bills the government for services rendered. (For example, my son spent the first week of his life in a NICU. Cost to us = $0.)
Now, if your insurance company didn't cover it, his secretary would have to try to get you to pay for it, which she probably doesn't want to do.
Could she have phrased it better? Most certainly yes. Was it annoying and vexing? Most certainly yes. Would she have asked the same thing of an Australian or a Brit? Most certainly yes too.
Now, doesn't your husband work for a Canadian company? Can you get OHIP coverage? My guess is that after a certain residency period you'd be able to but I could be completely wrong.
Yes, many Canadians know that many Americans didn't vote for George W. Just like many Canadians didn't vote for the idiot we have as Prime Minsiter now. Unfortunately, citizens--especially when not at home--end up being defined by their government.
I think she should have suggested citizenship vs. using the term nationality. I mean unless you are American Indian you could have really stumped her by giving a historical family break down by nation of origin.
This entire situation reminds me of several years ago my husband and I were staying a this wounderful B&B in Orange Beach and met this sweet Canadian couple. During conversation another guest says "So do you speak French or American at home?????????????????
I was convinced the stupid question was the wine, Jeff was convinced she was just stupid.
Lori
MJ-- A friend of ours here (a doctor) said the exact same thing that you did. I just thought that since the UHIP covers anyone that is from another country, that the doctor would know that we're covered, since America is, indeed, another country. But I need to take what you (and my friend) have said to heart. I think the receptionist should have rephrased herself. To her defense, although she speaks english well, it clearly wasn't her first language.
I think I'm hyper-aware of being American here, simply because I know what a lousy reputation we have around the world. I don't want to be labled with the typical stereotypes of intolerant, aggressive, arrogant, bible-thumping and fiercely nationalist, because I'm none of those things. I'm worried about the possibility of discrimination not for myself, but for my kids, because they had no say on whether or not to move here.
On the whole, though, what I'm finding is that people seem almost MORE willing to befriend us here, saying "Oh, I love your Yankee accent-- it's so cute!" or "I have relatives in South Carolina," or "I looove going to Target!" I'm having a great experience here so far, and I'm learning so much more about myself and the way the world works than I ever thought I would. It's funny, because I always thought our cultures were so similar--- they're not.
Wow, that sucks with a capital "S."
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