I saw him today, he said that my back problem was complicated and beyond his expertise, it is scary how narrow my spinal cord is, at one spot, without any nerve deficit yet. BTW, his hands are steady and mind is sharp. I am glad I went to see him, he referred me the three spine specialists and I have an appointment with one of them this Friday.
I am so glad I dumped the HMO, last open enrollment, I also opted to upgrade my long term disability, only $2 a month. I always had to wait months for an appointment, with the HMO, now I get in, in just a few days. Funny thing, what prompted the change was that my primary doctor, refused me a follow-up with a dermatologist. At the time, I hadn't thought that I would be needing to see so many specialists.
HMO's are like cults, they make rules that are not in your best interests and you pay dearly, weather you follow them or not,. Your life is at stake get out of that HMO before it kills you. I am free to see anyone Doctor want.
Philip