Denial of treatment is a common one. HMOs often try to avoid paying for expensive procedures or medications. Another is long wait times for appointments, which can be really frustrating for patients, especially those with urgent health issues. And poor communication, like not informing patients about changes in their coverage or doctor assignments.
One of the common elements is the lack of patient choice. For example, HMOs may limit which doctors or hospitals a patient can go to. This can be a problem if the approved providers are not of good quality. Also, bureaucracy within the HMO can lead to problems. Forms getting lost, referrals being delayed, and patients getting caught in the middle of administrative mess. For instance, a patient may need a referral for a specialist but the HMO takes forever to process it, delaying the necessary care.
One horror story is about an HMO denying a patient's much - needed surgery. The patient had a serious medical condition that required immediate surgical intervention. But the HMO kept giving excuses, saying it was an 'experimental' procedure even though it was a standard treatment elsewhere. It took months of fighting and appealing before they finally agreed, by which time the patient's condition had worsened.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.
Often, power imbalance plays a big role. The guardian has a lot of control over the ward's life, and if they have bad intentions, they can really make the ward's life miserable. Lack of proper supervision is also a factor. If there's no one to check on how the guardian is treating the ward, things can go really wrong. For example, in cases where the guardian is stealing from the ward, without supervision, they can keep getting away with it.
One common element is the sudden change in fortune that brings unexpected problems. For example, in many stories, winning the lottery leads to family disputes as everyone wants a share of the money.
One of the common elements is the power imbalance. Big companies or wealthy individuals can use their resources to their advantage against smaller parties. For example, they can afford better lawyers and more extensive research. Also, misinformation or false evidence can play a role. Sometimes, false witnesses are presented, or evidence is misinterpreted, which can lead to unjust outcomes in litigation horror stories. This can be especially devastating for the innocent parties involved.
One common element is pain. Like when the anesthesia doesn't work well, or the dentist is too rough. For example, I heard of a case where the dentist was pulling a tooth and it felt like he was yanking it out without any care.
Isolation is a common one. Just like in the story where a prisoner was in solitary confinement and felt haunted. Another is the presence of unknown and menacing inmates or spirits. In some stories, there are dark, damp and dirty cells that add to the horror atmosphere.
The power of nature is sometimes involved. In Ukrainian horror stories, dark forests can be a source of horror. They are often seen as places where the unknown lurks. People can get lost in them, and there might be supernatural forces at work. Also, bodies of water like lakes might be associated with strange happenings, like the appearance of water spirits.
Well, in traditional horror stories, one common element is the presence of death or the threat of it. It could be a serial killer on the loose or a curse that brings death. Another is the isolation of the characters. They might be alone in a big, creepy mansion or in a desolate forest. And the element of the supernatural is almost always there. It gives an added layer of fear as it defies the laws of nature.
One common element is misinformation. Often, salespeople don't fully disclose all the details. Another is high fees. These can eat into the returns significantly. For example, management fees can be much higher than expected.