Wellness

[happycat]

@LTT1,

that is great and I have no problem with you likng your nurse practioner. I like the one I see also. And recently, I have had to go to a walk in after hours clinic and been fortunate enough to see the same Nurse practioner each time. And I like her soooo much. But, she isn't gonna refill my thyroid meds...

LIke I said, my husband is nearly 50. His father had caner, my husband just wanted to see a doctor. And I feel like it shouldn't be so hard for him to.

[chrystaltree]

Why are you surprised?  This is the way things have been for years.  There is a shortage of some specialties in many areas of this country.  So, a lot of doctors aren't taking new patients.  If your husband is ill or injured or has some medical complaint, the NP he sees should be able to refer him to a physician.  Although it would be kind of "touchy" about why he wants to go around her for no particular reason.  But if it is just for a physical, he's going to have call around and furnish whatever the MD asks for and hope, the doc accepts him.  That's just the way it is today.

[happycat]

OH, and as far as the physicians assistants....I had one of those basically save my life several years ago. Doctor after dr couldn't figure out what was wrong with me and I went to several within a 9 month period. At the end of it, I thought I was going to die not knowing what was wrong with me. The PA I ended up seeing in a gastros office, listened to me, and told me she believed me, she believed I was very ill and SHE was gonna find out what what was going on. She sent me to the hospital for vial upon vial of bloodwork. Turns out I had Rocky Mountain spotted tick fever, in the acute phase.

Then, the MD in my town I was using at the time laughed at her when I took him the bloodwork and said "We don't get that here".....

Sometimes people, they can all be losers.

[jackthebear]

try using a site called ZocDoc

I don't know where you live but where we are there are Dr. that will make an appt same day or week

[Spurt]

@happycat

What is happening in my neck of the woods is that many doctors left/retired when health care changed..... and yes as you said a lot of doctor's aren't accepting new patients....What has sprung up to meet the health needs of citizens is what seems to be these redi-clinics......I mean hundreds of them.....for example, there are even 2 in the same shopping and one right across the street from both of them...they are all over town and building more......sadly it seems to be the wave of health care of the future.....if you don't have a regular dotor (if your's retired) and can't find a doctor that accepts new patients or your doctor is booked up for weeks/months with appointments you can see them....some of the care you get is good, while others not so good......It seems those in the medical profession know something the general public doesnt because so many are appearing....

[Anita Hug]

My primary was the same way - I had to deliver my medical records to her office, and she would decide whether or not to accept me only after she reviewed my medical history.  When I finally got accepted, I find myself increasingly irritated with her because it seems that all she does is treat colds. Anything more than that, she sends me off to a specialist.   She nags at me to visit a gyn for my female exams, but finding a gyn that takes Medicare is proving to be impossible in my area. 

[Kachina624]

Whats going on?   Simply,  too many patients,  not enough doctors.   Now almost everyone has decent insurance (temporarily) so people are seeing doctors instead of going to ERs during emergencies.   This is a universal problem throughout the country.   This is one thing seniors need to seriously consider when selecting a retirement location, the availability of medical services. 

[RedTop]

In my area of southern WV, it is very difficult to find a new medical provider.   All local physicians gained a lot of new patients when health insurance coverage became mandatory.   

My medical provider for many years was an MD; when he moved, and closed his office, I was able to get into a practice run by a DO.   I have been a patient there for 10 years, and see a PA every 4 months.   I have been with my GYN for 13 years, and just started scheduling my yearly exams with the new FNP.   

Doctors in this area do not automatically accept a new patient until they review a medical record.   From the medical records they can tell whether the patient has acute care needs, or basic managed care needs.  The people I know personally who had a hard time finding a new doctor, were on prescription pain medication, and the private practice physicians would not accept that liability.   Those patients were accepted at local clinics; went thru complete retesting for their health issues, and have different treatment plans now that do not include pain meds.    

[Snicks1]

I have been with my current PCP for several years now, I like her but don't like that I am sent to a specialist for everything, except for a cold/flu, etc.

But, recently, after my annual cancer screening which I get done at a cancer center, I was told I had 3 pre-cancerous spots on my right arm and should get them removed by a dermatologist before they could become cancer.

Ok, have to see a dermatologist. I talked with my insurance company, first to see if I needed pre-approval or a referral (no to both), then I asked if they had a list of derms local to me that were in-network. I was given several names but told I should ask when I called to make my appointments to be sure they would accept my insurance as they change sometimes daily.

So, first I check out their ratings and any patient reviews I could find and after making 3-4 calls I find a good derm who takes my insurance.

So all should be great right? This is when the fun began. They told me I needed to call twice a day, (early morning and right after lunch) Tues, Wed, and Thursday to check for cancellations as that would be the quickest way to get in for treatment. Otherwise it would be several months to get an apptmt.

Since I wanted to get this taken care of ASAP, I did the calling twice a day. Took 3 weeks, but finally was told to come in, since I had been so patient and consistant about calling in daily. The procedure took maybe 5 minutes and all is good to go.

They then told me since I had now been seen in their office, it would not take so long to now get another apptmt should I need one.

I typed all this to say it kind of seemed it was a game I had to play to get healthcare.

I understand that there are more patients than there are doctors to provide care, I personally don't have a problem with PA's or NP's as they often are as skilled as the doctors as well as more detailed.