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"prepared to pay for it"

Well ... my doctors' wrong diagnosis cost my insurance company over $4300. I had an HMO at the time, and the ER visit only cost me $50. The $4300 could have been saved if I could have had a proper diagnosis.

I did finally get a competent doctor, but only because I ended up in the ER. A great doctor there would not stop until he found out what was making me so sick. I was then referred to a specialist who had the other pieces of the puzzle.

Again, I am dealing with the same bozos - this time it's some sort of sinus, ear fluid, stuff. They've tried all kinds of medication which I too finally stopped taking because it either isn't making any improvement, or because the side effects are intolerable. I have ask and ask for a referral to an ear, nose & throat specialist - to no avail. I've about reached my limit with these people. In fact, I got so bold to even tell the doctor - I wondered if he was going to wait until I lost my hearing before he was willing to refer me.

Any suggestions??

Have you tried calling an ENT and making the appt yourself? You might be out the office visit fee. Have they drained your ear?

Or give the ER a call and ask to talk to the doc who helped you--. If you are patient and can wait to talk with him between car wrecks, this might work. Find out if your ER has a "urgent care" or "fast track" option, and it's likely you could get in to see him almost like an FP. Some ER docs even have a small practice on the side. Once again, you may be out a fee.

If your ear is painful, that can be an "emergency"--you just need to time it to when that doc is on his shift.

I personally think we should all self-insure except for catastrophic illness, or have "medical savings accounts." That would encourage people to take charge of their expenses, and also provide freedom of choice. This would be the way to keep our private care. Soon, I believe, socialized care will arrive.