Hi everyone. Well, I recently posted about my latest Lyme "chapter" - my LTD denial based on a report by a neuropsychologist who stated I did not have Lyme disease and all perceived symptoms are due to a "mood disorder." Among other mean, insulting, and utterly irrelevant things she said about me in this report. Really. I almost died from this nightmare disease a year ago. Really. So, I've been thinking about things a lot. I used to work in the Allied health field and have both a professional licensing board and a national organization that monitor my profession. This examiner so blantently abused her position (e.g. flat out lying!) in so many ways, I would like to report her at least to her professional organization (to start!) So my question is 1. because the world is so backwards at times - if I do this could I possibly be accused of (or sued for) slander. Sounds silly, but I have to ask. 2. What about reporting MDs who do not diagnose Lyme clinically. I thought I read that this is a reportable offense once. Anyone know? I talked to a lawyer recently (before I found out about the neuropsych report) just about getting help with the whole disability appeal thing, and he started getting "duck-like" on me ( What were your Lyme titers blah blah blah LLMDs suck blah blah blah) I ready to kick some butt!
Posted by Biting Back (Member # 6018) on :
I'm so sorry you had to hear such angry, untrue and hurtful things. I know how much it hurt you. I don't know why the truth about lyme disease evokes such outrange and anger from those who are supposed to care for us.
If I were you, I'd file a complaint with your state medical board. They won't even slap his/her wrists, but he/she will shudder when they learn they have to answer to the board of medical examiners. It may (or may not) prevent future patients from receiving the same abuse from this 'doctor.'
I filed a claim against two doctors for the same reason. Nothing happened to them, but I felt good knowing I'd at least put them 'in check' for an extended period of time.
Wish I could think of something else.
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
I didn't know I could file a complaint on bad ducks. Interesting!!! MADDOG
Posted by Biting Back (Member # 6018) on :
You can file a complaint against a bad duck for conducting themselves in an unprofessional manner. I highly recommend it.
Posted by Magdalena (Member # 6096) on :
Larkspur and everyone commenting here,
Cave posted some most excellent info a few days ago in medical and I think it warrants our attention even if just reading it makes us feel better!
Seriously, check it out! Save it regardless of geographical location and refer to it as often as needed.
P.S. Annie was feeling similar frustration in her post today. May we all have our needs met and HEAL!
Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :
Is this doctor a psychologist (PhD) or psychiatrist (MD)? Take note that there is a different board. The American Psychological Association (APA) actually seems to investigate complaints more seriously that the AMA, so would make a difference. Aren't you the one who previously reported that this doc didn't think you had Lyme at all, and all symptoms are result of a mood disorder? If so, how can a PhD (if that is what he/she is) make a medical diagnosis? Or discount a medical diagnosis? The neuropsychologist I saw told me point blank that he wasn't going to comment about anything related to my diagnosis or medical care. And he didn't, aside from reporting the "facts". That would be the first point I would make. Call and ask for her credentials. A detailed curriculum vitae.
All psychologists are under the APA. There is a speciality in neuropsychology, but no real license, and an expert would be credible only if he/she had extensive training/experience. I have a psychologist friend that says the ones who make big bucks doing these "opinions" for insurance companies are the "worst form of human life". Wow, I found that very telling, given the fact that he is talking about others in his own profession. Word has it that these evals are worth about $6,000 to $9,000 apiece. No lie!! For 1 1/2 to 2 days of testing and a report. So, to get repeat business, they say whatever the referral source wants.
I had my own neuropsychological eval about 6 months ago, but, nonetheless, my LTD carrier sent me for a repeat eval. A few days ago. Very grueling, lasted 1 1/2 whole days. I was very careful, and made notes. Tried my best to do the best I could on everything. She would not allow a witness, or tape of the eval. So I told her I would, using HIPPA, be contacting her as soon as she had the report done to demand a copy. She was nice, but I was suspicious. Especially since she told me that was all she did, evaluations. No treatment. Wouldn't give me any results, saying we didn't have a doctor/patient relationship. Also left a release demanding that she release the report as soon as available to my treating MD and my neuropsychologist, as I had already arranged for him to review it to determine accuracy of norm groups she used, etc.
It pisses me off to know that these insurance companies can pay people off to say what they need to hear, and I have put this woman on her toes. She knows I am looking at this from all angles, and am having several professionals review her report. Doubt she will go too far with her antics. And think she knows I would be trouble for her as I know the law, and intend to push limits to defend my rights.
Sorry to vent, but I feel your pain and frustration exactly. If you can, give 'em hell. Write a letter, send it certified, return receipt. In it, be somewhat professional, calm, as best you can, and state the facts you dispute. Things which were lies. Significant things she left out. Judgements she made. Medical diagnoses she disagreed with without being a medical doctor. Send this to the psych, with copy to LTD. Both certified. So this will become part of your record. And can be used later if you need to take legal action of any sort.
If you can possibly afford it, get another psychologist to review this report with you, to explain exactly what it says. See if the right norm groups were used. For example, on the MMPI, there are norms for people with chronic illnesses on some sections. If this assessment is completed on someone with a chronic illness, then they use the "general population" normative groups, then the person conveniently looks crazy as hell. What they are not. Cause the test was conveniently interpreted incorrectly. Sad but true. So get someone to look at it all who knows. And make sure you get the raw data sheets, and interpretation of scores, and what groups you were compared to. Everything. Eveuntually, if the psych you see is suspicious of how things were done, get copies of actual test forms. So you can see if it all looks legit.
Will quit rambling now, and hope some of this disjointed mess helps!
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
Hi guys. I hadn't been on in the last couple days and didn't realize that I had some new replies on this post. I'm going to report them all. Guess what. My LTD made me go see an infectious disease Duck last April ("at no cost to you") who was so hideously unprofessional, condesending (sp?), and arrogant it was unbelievable. Well, last weekend I got a bill in the mail for that appointment! I'm sure the crook had already gotten paid by the LTD last spring. Anyway, the Doctor's health system got an earful from me. I told pt services the truth - that this Doctor berated me and my choice of treatment for 45 min, then did not even examine me ( pressing on my stomach was the extent of her exam)and that I left in tears. I'm sure nothing will come out of it but it was uplifting. And I obviously don't have to pay that bill. I actually told them I felt this doctor should pay me for seeing her.
Anyway, I have written an article that I'm am going to submit to a national magazine (an "op-ed" type column) about my experiences, particularly dealing with non LLMDs It just have to cut down the number of words a little bit more. I will keep submitting it until someone publishes it somewhere! Connie - thanks so much for your input. Do you think the neuropsychologist will send me my "raw" scores etc, or would it have to be requested through another psychologist. The report she wrote doesn't refer to any actual scores, just my ranges. Oh, except for my premorbid low IQ. She does refer to that. Yes, I had to do the MMPI, which I'm sure she did not norm as "chronic illness" I don't have a chronic illness, just a mood disorder Interestingly, she only cited about 1/16 of the medical records Aetna LTD has on me for her report - and used this as evidence I do not have Lyme, which, as a PhD she stated.
As far as her getting the "big bucks"- I googled her just for the heck of it... She recently purchased a $400,000 house.. Must be nice.
[This message has been edited by Larkspur (edited 16 October 2004).]
