They want my mom off of Seroquel, her neurologist wants her on it. We are in Michigan. Her days and nights get mixed up. Her neurologist wants her on Seroquel, he says it will help her with that and also help with her high anxiety. The nursing home is taking her off of it, they say the state (Michigan) won't pay for psychotropics. If they are taking her off the meds her doctor puts her on, why bother even taking her to a specialist?
My question is can they do this? Can they do this without telling me (I'm her POA) ? If they CAN do this then who is responsible legally for her care? And finally, can I just pay for the medication myself if that is indeed the reason they want her off of it?
I'm frustrated.
Try to have a talk with the resident doctor and let him or her know why the neurologist prescribed this medication. See if you can get some cooperation between doctors. I know this shouldn't be your problem, but sometimes this happens. Good luck,
Carol
The nursing home is responsible for paying for her meds. As such, the doctor for the nursing home may try to pull crap. As soon as they know you're watching, they change their tune.
It's Medicare who is picking up the tab, correct? If state funds are involved, try contacting the person in Michigan who oversees the nursing homes and get the real story.
Been here : ( Be strong. Be a fearless advocate! You'll be surprised how people back down when they know you're up for a fight ; )
The doctors I've worked with have been some of the most ethical people I ever met. And yes, billing issues do play a part in medical decision-making-- maybe not the best thing about American medical care, but it is our current situation.
Assume your MD is doing his or her best. First, ask why a change was made. If you still disagree, respectfully seek another opinion or ask the internist to speak with the specialist.
There's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. In fact, I periodically encouraged patients to get a second opinion (or sought one myself) on my own decisions. And you know what? It wasn't unusual for the second opinion to disagree with me, the patient would agree, and we would all go in that direction.
My point is, if you disagree with a doctor thats fine, or even great in that it means you care and are diligent. But, when you address the issue, assume that the doctor is sincerely trying to do his or bes.
Dr.'s in nursing home are elusive creatures. You never see them. They don't evaluate the patients in person, you can't catch up to them if you're there while they're there and if you'd like the Dr. in the facility to know someone you have to tell the nurse (not an aide but the nurse) and then follow up to make sure a notation was actually made in the chart. Dr.s in nursing homes are like smoke....or unicorns. No one can ever really get their hands on one.
But I agree, it's the Dr. that you have to talk to. And if the state is discontinuing psychotropics that's going to be one lively facility.
Sure, have a nice talk first, but make sure they understand you mean business and you're watching closely.
But please remember this in talking to the doctor. First, he or she might think that the less expensive medication is as good or better than the more expensive one. In this case, he is ethically required to save the money. Or, second, he or she might have been trying to save some work. Stand up for yourself but, at the same time, try to empathize with your doctor. They work mind-bending hours. I know doctors who start and 6 AM and don't get home until after dinner-- 6 days a week. And, on top of that, they're making difficult decisions in exhausting situations all day long. A doctor who sought prior authorization every time it offered a moderate advantage to the patient would burn out. Your gripe is with the insurance company. Stand up for what you or your family member needs. But understand that your doctor is only human.
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