Good news. I finally have a GP. I saw Dr N today. His nameplate is not yet up in his office, even the receptionists station is marked by a handwritten sign held up with tape. I am new patient number 650. Dr N is barely open for business and he is already completely booked a full month in advance. This gives an idea of the extent of the doctor shortage in Gatineau. I count myself very fortunate to have access to him.

There is other news and this news is not as welcome.

Dr N asked me what form I had used to make my claim submission to the insurance company. I did not understand what he was asking. He pulled out a large binder thick with forms, opened it to a sample form and asked if I had seen these before. I had to answer no. I at first thought this was some form of cognitive testing.

Dr N went on to explain that if the insurer does not receive the insurance claim on the correct form then they will pigeonhole the claim request and nothing further will take place. When I saw Avocat D in November, he said something similar but I did not fully understand him at the time. What puzzles me is the fact that all the forms used in my initial application process were provided directly by the insurer. If an incorrect form was utilized it was because the insurer sent out an incorrect form.

To clarify the above. If you live in Québec, and you do not have access to a physician, you not only lack access to health care you will also be denied the insurance coverage for which you have paid. This supports my view that the insurer  operates for the benefit of itself..

Some other items of interest:

• During my meeting with Dr N, I quickly became fatigued. I found I had to concentrate very hard to understand him. I was surprised at this imposed processing load and how quickly I became exhausted.

• I failed to mention fatigue as one of the elements of concern arising from the accident.

• I  failed to adequately describe my concerns over development of ALS or CTE. This was the entire reason I sought him out. And I completely forgot.

• Dr N asked if I was suicidal. I answered yes. This was true.

• Dr N asked if I had a suicide plan. I answered no. This was false.