Typical University of Wisconsin cancellation of schedules, Typical United States Health Care, Typical Bullshit.

Stan and I had to switch healthcare providers at the beginning of the year because his job changed it for union employees. I had to schedule two yearly exams, one for eyes, one for...the other thing. On the day of my eye appointment, they called in the morning to reschedule because the doctor had a meeting to go to. Today, they called to reschedule my...other...appointment, which was more than a month away. While they were on the phone, I told them that I thought they only had to do the pap smear every three years or so if you're over 40 and had a negative result history. After all, I had just recently received something in the mail from them that stated that. Unfortunately, I threw the info away. They STRONGLY denied that and said I had to have one every year. My previous healthcare provider had switched to doing it every 3 years, but no, not UW healthcare.

Here is proof, however, direct from the horse's mouth, posted on UW Health's own site:

AGE 40 - 65
• Women should have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear done to check for cervical cancer and other disorders. If your Pap smears are negative for 3 years in a row, have your Pap smear done every 2 - 3 years.

Well, mine's been negative for freakin-ever.

Typical administration not telling the doctors or nurses or receptionists or whoever is in charge of telling ME what their correct procedures are.

I'm printing out that sheet and bringing it in with me whenever I see them. I'll probably have to cancel and reschedule a few times before then, and by then, it will be three years anyway. Typical bullshit.

I hate the UW. My and Stan's experiences there as grad students don't bode well for my future experiences there with their health care system.

Labels: This Boring Life, WTF