topic Re: Has anyone else had this problem? in Wellness

Has anyone else had this problem?

GoneButNotForgotten — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:14:50 GMT

I need to get in to see one of my doctors and she's booked up until October! I was offered the chance to see a nurse but when I told them what the issue is, I was told only a doctor could see me.

Has anyone else run up against this? i.e., all the doctors and medical types in your area being booked for weeks/months at a time?

BTW, I'm not seeking advice on how to deal with this; I'm just curious to know if this is a national problem or "just" local.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

FLgardener — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:19:00 GMT

Yes, that's what it's like for me in central FL also. I think if I need more immediate care, I'll try a walk-in clinic. There is one on just about every corner here.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

Laura14 — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:22:00 GMT

We have one option here in North Georgia and honestly two months is pretty decent.

You could try calling periodically to check for a cancellation before then but several months is standard around here too.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

SilleeMee — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:23:40 GMT

Same issue for me where it takes months to get to see an actual doctor. Getting dental work is also a problem getting in with an appointment...takes many, many weeks there, too. I thought maybe it was b/c I live in a boomtown and there are just too many people here and not enough staff.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

sgraham30 — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:25:06 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
I need to get in to see one of my doctors and she's booked up until October! I was offered the chance to see a nurse but when I told them what the issue is, I was told only a doctor could see me.

Has anyone else run up against this? i.e., all the doctors and medical types in your area being booked for weeks/months at a time?

BTW, I'm not seeking advice on how to deal with this; I'm just curious to know if this is a national problem or "just" local.

@GoneButNotForgotten, is your doctor a specialist by any chance? It's a HUGE problem in the healthcare systems in IL, ESPECIALLY if the doctor is a specialist.

I last saw my cardiologist 06/21/22, he said he wanted to see me in 6 months. The earliest appointment I was able to get was 02/11/23, which is 8 months. I'm on the cancellation list for an earlier appointment, that doesn't mean I'll get one. I've been fortunate in the past because I have gotten an earlier appointment, that doesn't mean that'll always happen.

My issues aren't life threatening or I could die between scheduled visits since it's so difficult to get in to see my cardiologist!

To me, a 2-3 month wait doesn't sound too bad.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

Kcubed — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:26:18 GMT

Yes that is what it is like in southwest VA. I think it is very scary. Fortunately, I discovered a wonderful walk in urgent care in my area. Thank goodness for that. There was just a story on the news about how much normal (noncovid) hospital visits have decreased since COVID. That is because people can't get diagnosed with a problem becasue they can't get in to see their doctor. For the sake of all of us, this needs to change.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:27:31 GMT

It's not uncommon. That said, if it's something that's going to require successive follow up appointments, those seem to be set more easily.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

bonnielu — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:29:28 GMT

My doctor got sick so I was rebooked for two weeks out. Good think it was only a routine check up. My fear because of his age he will retire soon.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

cindyNC — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:38:15 GMT

I think it's fairly common. I switched to a nurse practioner for that very reason, but am thinking of switching to a new physician . I drive 30 miles one way to the office.

My BF, who preferred a local physician, could not get in to see his doctor several times when he was quite ill. He switched to somebody just a bit further away and is quite happy. Of course, he is now seeing several specialists; we drive a distance to see them but the quality of medical care is much better.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:42:36 GMT

I am in the Philadelphia area. For a full physical, 6 months in advance for an appointment. For a medical issue that arises but can wait, about 2 weeks. For something that needs immediate or almost immediate attention, they suggest the hospital emergency room.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

RedTop — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:45:14 GMT

I hear the same here in WV, but my medical Dr extended his office hours until 6 p.m. to accommodate urgent need appts. As long as you never miss a scheduled appt and go on their No Show list, staff does their best to accommodate you.

Also, in this area, if the medical problem is serious enough to send you to the ER or hospitals quick care clinic, paperwork is sent to your Dr with the recommendation for follow up care, which is usually within 7-10 days. As soon as the office receives that paperwork, they are reaching out to set up an appt, regardless of their schedule.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

gertrudecloset — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:02:02 GMT

Where I live there are many urgent care centers you walk in with no appointment for emergency things. Sometimes they are afilliated with a hospital but most of them are private medical practices that only do urgent care every day of the week.

So many in my area....I've never been to one and not sure if they take Medicare but it's worth looking into when you need to see a doctor ASAP.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

drizzellla — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:05:59 GMT

My brother-in-law's GP Doctor wanted him to see a Specialist. His appointment is in October. The appointment was made in April.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

chlema — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:25:26 GMT

@gertrudecloset wrote:
Where I live there are many urgent care centers you walk in with no appointment for emergency things. Sometimes they are afilliated with a hospital but most of them are private medical practices that only do urgent care every day of the week.

So many in my area....I've never been to one and not sure if they take Medicare but it's worth looking into when you need to see a doctor ASAP.

Most urgent care centers in my area accept Medicare. This time of year is typically when my asthma/allergy/ breathing problems kick off and it's impossible to get an appointment with my primary in a timely manner, so they suggested I go to the ER affiliated with the hospital or go to the ER. Made an appointment, picked my time, was in and out in 1/2 hour with scripts. Fine today!

Called today to schedule my yearly routine tests with my cardiologist, mid-September for tests, mid-October for follow up with the doctor. And that's the way it is.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

LindaSal — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:32:40 GMT

Agreed. I believe this is a problem everywhere, especially with specialty practices. I was able to get physicals scheduled in a couple of months for me and DH (our doctor doesn't book a year in advance). However DH had a terrible skin issue and it was very difficult to see a dermatologist, even our regular one couldn't see him. Our regular doctor got him in to lance and drain the area and he was put on an antibiotic. It was some sort of cyst........anyway by the time the derm appt rolled around he was fine, he kept the appointment but it really wasn't necessary.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

pieman — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:44:40 GMT

Sure am!

I live in Florida,for 2 weeks nows trying to get an appointment with a dermetologist for a basal cell cardcinoma .

I've filled out online forms to have their offices contact me.

Finally broke the protocol and phoned them, was given an appointment for Sept, time 3-3:10, a ten minute appointment!

Not very happy with that but kept it and decided to keep looking , not one of these so called physicians return an email or phone call,

What the heck is wrong with these people?

Shows you how little they care about patients.

I'm getting to the point where I'll just walk into the ER for help.

Its a slow grow cancer, thank God, but if not taken care of , it can kill you by spreading..

They just don't care anymore, hope they have the same problem when they are in need..

Good luck to the OP..

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

millieshops — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:40:54 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten Definite issue in my area - way more need than doctors to fill those needs. For routine care, about 4 or 5 years back my PCP began taking "new" bookings a year apart, with him actually recording that appointment online before we left the examining room.

He signs scripts for a year's worth of medications for those that don't require me seeing a specialist.

For any other needs, all appointments go through one of his PA's or a nurse. They can consult with him when they need to. I see the same PA more frequently than I see the doctor himself.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

Jo1313 — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 18:38:45 GMT

Same here in upstate NY( the sticks)..one of my Dr.s left in Dec...a podiatrist...no one replaced him locally...I have an appt. with a new one 40 miles away! In Oct...I have an ongoing issue that is supposed to be seen every 60 days..My primary is trying to keep up with my issue but I see her every 90 days.

Saw my oncologist in June..supposed to see him in 1 a yr...He has no appts. open until Aug.2023.

Remember when ONE Dr. took care of everything???

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

chickenbutt — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 19:13:26 GMT

I don't see doctors at all, but I've been hearing this from all over the country for a while now. I belong to a couple of boards (totally unrelated to this one), with people from all over and have seen stories about this so many times.

Re: Has anyone else had this problem?

mac116 — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 19:26:07 GMT

I always book 6 months in advance for my primary, cardiologist, dermatologist, and dentist. All are really good, and book up quickly. If and/or when I get sick, I can usually get in to see their PA pretty quickly.