topic Re: They Did What! in Wellness

They Did What!

sweetee2 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:16:44 GMT

Hubby and I, our children well adult children now have been going to the same Dr. office for over 40 years. There were 4 doctors and it was pretty easy to get in. It was like family.

Well last year when we went in for our flu, pneumonia shots instead of talking to the young lady out front they handed us a tablet to sign in. I though this is gross all this sick people touching this. Well they had been bought out.

It gets better. I called last Friday to make an appointment to get our shots and all I got was a recording saying that the new company has decided to close the office.

We're still in shock, at our age looking for a new Dr.? I can't believe they can do that. All those hundreds of people out of their doctor.

Re: They Did What!

PinkyPetunia — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:29:13 GMT

That is quite a shock. Are they not referring you to other doctors or practices?

Early last year my internist advised me by text she was retiring. She did recommend someone else to see, which I did. It worked out as the new doc is in a large group and imaging and lab are in the same building, so it is easier for me.

Ask friends, neighbors and coworkers which doctors they use. Or look up new docs on your insurance company website.

Re: They Did What!

kitcat51 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:29:32 GMT

Happens all the time & many Drs, including mine aren't taking new patients. Check to see if your Drs simply moved to another clinic, to cut costs many are consolidating.

Re: They Did What!

Carol Diane — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 00:40:09 GMT

Maybe you can find out where the 4 doctors went to. I doubt all 4 retired at the same time. Maybe they joined another medical group close to you. Usually a dr will contact you by mail to let you know where they are going or recommend another dr.

Re: They Did What!

x Hedge — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:54:20 GMT

How frustrating!

Count yourself lucky you were able to stay with the same Docs for 40 years, and enjoy that sense of continuity in your healthcare. I don't think many could say that.

Re: They Did What!

Meowingkitty — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:57:03 GMT

My old Dr. started out being 5 minutes from my house. Then after a couple of years he had a falling out with the other Dr. and moved to 15 minutes from my house. I guess he didn't like it there either so he moved 30 minutes from my area. Then he decided to drop out of the system he was in and go work at some clinic 45 minutes from my house. That place was the last straw. I liked him as a doctor but the office barely spoke English. They handed me my new forms in Spanish and when I asked them for English they looked at me as if I had two heads. I was done. When I asked them to transfer my records to the new doc they tried to charge me. My new doc got all the information for me for free and I am now back at my original office 5 minutes from home with a new doctor who seems pretty good.

Re: They Did What!

BlueFinch — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:01:32 GMT

This is becoming a common problem. I'm seeing it more with docs and clinics that previously took Medicare/Medicaid patients.

I had the same GYN and PCP docs for 9 years. They both suddenly opted out of Medicare plans, the year after I was eligible for Medicare. My PCP said she wanted more time to spend with her patients, not Medicare required documentation that took 20-30 min. per patient, after a time limited 5 minute visit, if that. Yes, the time they spend for certain issues is dictated. It's a -- move the masses through -- approach.

My prior PCP simply closed down her office and moved into hospital work. She said she couldn't support her staff and small office with constant delayed insurance payments. She was like, 'how would you like to work and not get paid for months, sometimes having to fight for it.' She was a stellar doc, greatly missed.

I wound up in the hospital last year with an irregular heartbeat, at a time I was still looking for a new PCP. Good docs aren't taking new patients. When they ask you who your PCP is and you tell them you don't have one, they treat you like a neglectful idiot. But, what's a person to do, when you can't seem to keep one. We're NOT the problem, the system IS.

Re: They Did What!

SeaMaiden — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:48:07 GMT

might as get use to changes like this as time goes on... especially with medical issues. Times are a changing....

Re: They Did What!

patbz — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 20:08:13 GMT

For years, DH and I used doctors in Santa Barbara, even after we moved from CA to AZ. Eleven years ago DH got airvacted from our home to Mayo Clinic, etc. Ten weeks later he was ready to come home and clearly he needed a good doctor and there were none taking patients in our small town. I found ou r wonderful doctor, who is hospitalist at a major Phoenix hospita,l by asking people in a hospital waiting room. I found a Nurse Trainer who was able to match our numerous criteria (DH has complicated med history) with our perfect doctor.

Re: They Did What!

GAQShopr53 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:59:36 GMT

Wow that is a shocker @sweetee2 to have an office just close without warning. I have seen several medical offices close and sometimes it's about the office losing money. Another office was purchased by another health group and decided to scale back on the services offered.

My Dr's office has this group concept and you will may not see the same physician but a different doctor or nurse practitioner that is in that group. I don't mind having to see another physician as long as they are knowledgeable....the only issue I have is that they are all in the same office and you have to keep giving your history every time you see a different person. There is no continuity of care!

Re: They Did What!

IMW — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:10:02 GMT

It is terribly upsetting not to be alerted of such a drastic change. It has happened to me over and over and over.

This healthcare situation is a nightmare.

I guess the answer is to roll with the punches, but as I get older and have more health issues I find it very, very challenging.

I wish you luck, the posts have given some great ideas

re finding a new md.

Re: They Did What!

kelsey17 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:21:28 GMT

It is def changing......every doc i have has been taken over by other "large corporations" and the service has def been effected..............i also had to go to a doc the other day and got the "pad" to fill info out on and i agree....the "germs"

creeped me out............second (not at this appt because i REQUESTED the main doc) they often try to schedule you with a Physicians Assistant INSTEAD of your reg doc (and you still pay the same!!)..........i have had 3 instances at different docs with the Phys Assit and EACH time it didn'tcorrect the problem and i had to go BACK and request to see my REG doc.....................its a nightmare.

It doesn't seem "personal" anymore....more like an assembly line....................and EVERYTIME i go to an appt i have to fill out papers or pad.....ridiculous.........

Re: They Did What!

Dawnie — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:23:13 GMT

Here in SW FL I called over ten physicians. Not taking new patients or a six month wait. The hospital did a sweep, two of my physicians retired. With no replacement. One got a replacement six mos later. I have an appt March 2020. Meanwhile, 3 weeks to see her PA.
Big groups coming in and buying up practices. Doctors that work for the hospital stressed and underpaid, hence leaving area.
Something to consider if relocating!

Re: They Did What!

sweetee2 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:25:55 GMT

We did receive a letter saying 1 of the Doctor's was leaving and going to practice at a local hospital, but we said there are still 3 left so it didn't matter.

Re: They Did What!

millieshops — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:34:09 GMT

Just over a year ago, one of my doctors took a few minutes to discuss the future of medicine - not in a political sense or a research sense, just observations based on his interests and knowledge.

The one comment that still reverberates in my head was his saying there's going to be a world-wide doctor shortage. He even said that because of my age (late 70's now), I will not be hard hit by the shortage, but he felt even he (I think he'd late 50's) will feel that shortage.

Already, though, I'm finding more and more occasions when all appointments with my own doctors have to be booked months in advance. That works fine for routine needs but not so much when one of those routine visits uncovers a new issue. Needless to say, probably, at my age new issues are just lurking, waiting to attack.

Re: They Did What!

Nightowlz — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:56:09 GMT

Sounds like they are worse about it where you live.

Since my doctor has retired I have been to several doctors. The one that took over his practice told me to find another doctor. I'm pretty sure it's because I would not switch from my natural NP Thyroid medication to their synthetic version levothyroxine.

Have been to several & don't like the one I was left with when my doctor left to go out on his own not excepting Insurance.

At least the hospital the doctors are affiliated with send out a letter when a doctor gets ready to close practice, move etc showing all doctors taking new patients.

I don't really care anything about seeing these doctors that are half my age.

If I could get my thyroid medication without seeing a doctor I would never go back. Wish I could find an alternative.

Re: They Did What!

Mz iMac — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:04:34 GMT

You all w/dr problems have you considered finding concierge doctors?

Re: They Did What!

skatting44 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:10:29 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
Just over a year ago, one of my doctors took a few minutes to discuss the future of medicine - not in a political sense or a research sense, just observations based on his interests and knowledge.

The one comment that still reverberates in my head was his saying there's going to be a world-wide doctor shortage. He even said that because of my age (late 70's now), I will not be hard hit by the shortage, but he felt even he (I think he'd late 50's) will feel that shortage.

Already, though, I'm finding more and more occasions when all appointments with my own doctors have to be booked months in advance. That works fine for routine needs but not so much when one of those routine visits uncovers a new issue. Needless to say, probably, at my age new issues are just lurking, waiting to attack.

Several of my friends are MD's . Some of them have had their own private practice , some worked with groups and some were inpt hospital staff. They all tell me there's going to be a massive shortage as you have pointed out due not only to the average age of physicians but many have issues with Medicare rates & receiving payment.

A couple of my Nurse friends and I used to joke that if one of us became ill in the hospital we'd go and help take care of each other because of the Nursing shortage ..

Re: They Did What!

Meowingkitty — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:36:30 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
You all w/dr problems have you considered finding concierge doctors?

I'm 64 years old and only see my doctor once a year for blood tests and a general checkup. I'm not taking any meds and have no issues. I see no reason to pay that kind of money for once a year. Maybe if I had lots of issues and took tons of drugs it might be worth it.

Re: They Did What!

Toppers3 — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:46:05 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
Just over a year ago, one of my doctors took a few minutes to discuss the future of medicine - not in a political sense or a research sense, just observations based on his interests and knowledge.

The one comment that still reverberates in my head was his saying there's going to be a world-wide doctor shortage. He even said that because of my age (late 70's now), I will not be hard hit by the shortage, but he felt even he (I think he'd late 50's) will feel that shortage.

Already, though, I'm finding more and more occasions when all appointments with my own doctors have to be booked months in advance. That works fine for routine needs but not so much when one of those routine visits uncovers a new issue. Needless to say, probably, at my age new issues are just lurking, waiting to attack.

My husband and I have both noticed that many times when we have a doctor's office visit, sometimes we'll be seen either by an NP or a PA-C, and not necessarily by the doctor himself.

We have talked about it, and it doesn't really matter to either of us, as long as we're seen by someone.

This is true especially if we've been waiting for the appointment for some time, and either one of us has especially not been feeling too well.

I'm thinking that more of our health care may be headed in this direction, where we'll be seeing more NPs and PA-Cs for care.