Last Week's Physical

I had a physical last week, just wore my boxers because the doctor came in before I could figure out the gown thing she gave me. I just said it was fine because I was told to leave them on since I'm too young for a prostate exam.

My fiancee accompanied me, and it was awesome, not from a medfet perspective necessarily (although yes, that too) but it was nice to get checked out since it's been a while. Having my fiancee there made it less awkward since there was more of a conversation going on than if it had been just me, and she wanted to see that doctor to see if it's someone she'd like to go to since she's in need of a new doctor. The thing about this physical was, I remember always having my testicles examined and this doctor (she'll be my doctor from now on) didn't do that, or anything in that region. Have the standards changed such that that's not necessary anymore? Not that I wanted her to do that but I wouldn't have minded. I think she said something about it not being necessary because of my age. It's been four or five years since my last physical.

I'm 24 by the way.

Anyways, everything came back looking good, wasn't sure that would happen because high blood pressure runs in the family but mine is good.

Often, it is dependent on your insurance. Doctors don't do what they don't get paid for.

It's covered under insurance.

I think that's the way billing works, as far as physicals go. They bill in time blocks, such as for a 15 minute office visit, 45 minute office visit, etc. Other things are billed by procedure and sometimes time blocks are billed along with procedures. Just from what I understand from my (limited) understanding of how medical billing works. I don't think or know of a specific billing code involving that particular part of a physical.

Just thought it was odd. They'd always done it before. I'm fine either way, though.

Not medical billing, it's managed care. If, in their infinite wisdom (and greedl, the insurance company decides that a 24 year old without history or symptoms doesn't need his genitals examined, they don't get examined. It's a business decision, not a medical one. It's the basic problem with the American medical system, it's run by bean counters.

Very nice!

The doctor may not have done as thorough exam because your fiancee was present. Otherwise, the doctor might have examined your testicles or checked you for a hernia. Not sure why the doctor would have mentioned your age as making an exam below the waist unnecessary. Makes no sense since hernia can happen at any age and testicular cancer is more common in younger men. Next time you go without your fiancee there, you might get a different exam. If not, switch docs as this one is not doing a good job.

As DW said at 24 you should have had a testicular exam as it is a risky age. Doesn't sound a thorough doc..

A thorough genital exam should be given at all ages..!!!

Thanks for the input.

Weird that she wouldn't because my fiancee was there....she sees me naked every day.

Anyways, I got it taken care of. One of her family members is an NP and did it because I was worried about it.

She also thought it was weird that the doctor didn't check. Especially because at my job I lift 80 pounds very regularly, and push very heavy things around pretty often.

So...whatever. I guess I'll be going to a different doctor from now on.

I had a similar experience, but I was the visitor and my gf was the one being examined. I was told she would be getting checked out and she wanted me there for support. The Doctor came in and talked about their last meeting and how things were going for my gf. Then the doctor got up and left the room. The nurse came back into the room and told us to check out with the front desk folks on our way out of the office.

I think since I was in the room the exam my gf had expected did not take place. If I was not there she would have had to spread them knees.