
Well I suppose this is about a safe space as anywhere to vent, so...
For the past month or so I've had a nasty rash pretty much body-wide. My doctor is befuddled. Seems to be getting worse even after being on some strong medication. I'm in an HMO so of course need a referral to a dermatologist. But for some reason, the HMO and/or medical group I'm in takes anywhere from 5-14 business days to process the referral. The only way to expedite it would be to have my doctor put it in as an emergency and that would have to be a "life or death" type of situation.
I feel like a disgusting ogre. Fortunately it's not on my face/neck and since it's been cold I have been wearing long-sleeved shirts. But there's some marks on my hands and I just feel gross.
I'm starting to get ultra-frustrated and there's basically nothing I can do. I have no idea what's caused it. I've Googled, I've texted my best friend who's a cardiologist and he shares similar hatred of health insurance BS.
I really don't want to spend upwards of $1k to just go to an out-of-network (referred by my buddy) dermatologist (consult would be a couple hundred, tests would be way more).
If I was in Europe I would have been seen immediately and they would have it nipped in the bud already. Our system is completely broken.