Healthcare in the DMV

I’ve lived in many different countries and states, and the healthcare system in the DMV is (by far) the worst I’ve experienced. Sure, it’s probably more drastic elsewhere, but this isn’t a post about relativism.

Many people complain about the crime or food or all sorts of things you see on WashingtonianProbs, but I rarely hear anyone talk about how absolutely fucked you might be if you get sick in a place like this. Wait times are unconscionably long and customer service is non-existent. I had a critical illness and one particular hospital gave me an appointment for 2025!

Whether you’re on medicaid or private insurance, at a big city hospital or a small suburban practice, at an urgent care or in the E.R., it really feels like the ‘medical professionals’ just don’t GAF. These are all different scenarios I’ve experienced, and the sole constant is always a subpar standard of care. I have flat-out had a billing specialist tell my insurance company that she would not code my visit correctly because she did not “want to.” WTF?

I understand that folks are overworked and underpaid, especially post-covid. I don’t expect anything at all and understand that I am not owed anything. Regardless, I try to approach everyone with respect and empathy always. The bare minimum here is that you provide the service you say you offer without adding to my suffering. That's it. The bar is so low, it's buried. I am genuinely frustrated because it really seems like the solution is to move elsewhere if I want a certain quality of life.

P.S. If you’re a scheduling or phone assistant who makes the lives of sick patients harder because you had a bad day, eat a dick and burn in hell or whatever you believe in.

EDIT: Thanks for all the recommendations for general/preventative care. I've been battling the warzone of trying to find a diagnosis for 5 years. I'm finally close to a lead, but finding specialized care such as hematology/pulmonology/rheumatology remains a challenge. All recs welcome.