Doctor: Hello. I am Dr. Van. I will be the physician taking care of
you today. What seems to be the problem?
Patient: Hi Dr. Van. I'm having trouble breathing, I'm dizzy and I have a fever.
Doctor:OK. How long have you been feeling this way?
Patient: For about three days now. I felt so bad last night
that I came into the ER. I wish I hadn't because I have horrible insurance. My
premiums are high and hardly anything is covered.
Doctor: I'm sorry to hear that. Are you part of an HMO or do you have
private insurance?
Patient: I have private insurance. Anyway, is there anything you can
do for me? I don't seem to be getting any better.
Doctor: Well, I'll have to check you out to be able to make a
diagnosis. Let me listen to you breathe. Oh. This doesn't sound good. It is
probably pneumonia. This is pretty serious. You are going to have to check in to
the hospital tonight so we can observe you. Mrs. Darby, the nurse practitioner,
is going to take care of you.
Patient: I thought it was serious. Honestly, it has been a while now
that I haven't felt so well.
Doctor: Do you get a regular checkup each year? You may have had this
for months now.
Patient: No. I never go to the doctor. With this bad insurance I try
not to come in. The last time I saw a doctor was two years ago when I sprained
my ankle. I wasn't even going to come in then, but it was so swollen that my
husband made me go.
Doctor: Well, I understand that medical care can be expensive
nowadays. However, when you are suffering from any kind of ailment,
especially one this severe, it is worth the money.
Patient: Easy for you to say being a doctor who makes a lot of
money.
Doctor: Okay. Well, that's just something to think about. Just wait here
and the nurse practitioner will be in shortly.
Patient: Okay. Thanks Doctor.
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