Ow!

[cellio]

My employer, like many other large ones in the US, assesses a higher fee for health insurance if we don't cough up certain statistics for them. I don't know how much of this is snooping and how much is forcing us to at least get certain tests annually. Distasteful as the former is, we established several years ago that I can be bought on this if the price difference is high enough.

Many locations have on-site "clinics" where you can show up, let them prick your finger, fill out paperwork, and be done. My location is too small for that, though, so we have three choices: go to your doctor, go to a lab where they'll do it, or order a do-it-yourself kit. I didn't want to pay for an office visit just for this and the lab sounded like a hassle, so I ordered the kit. I mean, it's just a pin-prick, right? Even with my needle-aversion I can handle that. I did this through my doctor last year and through an on-site clinic at my previous employer, so I figured this'd be ok.

I will never, ever do that again. Their damned lancet hurt, and I had to do it twice to get enough blood (answering the question of why they sent two while providing instructions using one, I guess). It left bruises on my finger. Hours later it still hurts if I'm not careful when typing with that finger. And the puncture marks are bigger than I expected. This...did not happen with my past experiences.

Nope, not doing that again. Grr. What they learn about my blood sugar better be worth it.

Comments

[dsrtao]

Hi, I do a blood test every morning.

Different equipment is different. The variation in pain is a result of stab depth, needle gauge, and impact force. For minimal pain, you want a slow short thin stab.

Shame on the insurance company, though, they could have just asked for a well-patient visit at your primary and accepted their assurance that you are being properly treated.

[cellio]

Yeah, I've seen the glucose meters (and associated tools) that diabetic friends use, and I was expecting something like that. Now I know. :-(

This insurance trend is aggravating, yes. I'm not *due* for my physical yet (which is why I didn't just schedule that and do this at the same time without extra cost). They have my records; can't they just leave me alone if I'm clearly getting appropriate medical attention already? You'd almost think it's not about doing what's right for the patient, eh?