topic Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices? in Community Chat

Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ECBG — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 22:50:08 GMT

The doctor whom has treated me since I was 28 has retired!

He became a "cost wise" doctor and he and his family care partners were approached by the local hospital health care system and included the office under their umbrella totally renovating their office.

During my last appointment, he said because I no longer needed "family" care and with the new system (they weren't rushing to refill his position, he really though I would be better with the top internist group with a certain younger female dr he really liked. He also said that "she wouldn't age out on me" (which would give me better care not jumping around).

I didn't make any calls during the beginning of the virus, and recently called, was told the doctor was taking new patients, then the appointment desk said "no, she is not" taking appointments.

I have called last month. No she isn't.

Today, Yes! She is. I haven't made it through appointments though! We'll see!

Is my experience what most people go through?

Thank you!

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ahoymate — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:02:24 GMT

Not my experience in that once I make the appointment it hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled. Some want cash customers vs. insurance.

I've been looking for an internist for 8 years. Have seen about 6 and never went back. The "good"ones, it seems, aren't taking new patients. The ones who are, I don't feel confident in

It's hard to find new MD's. Hard. And I live in a major US city with tons of MD's and lots of hospitals. Keep trying.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

jlkz — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:07:41 GMT

About the same age as you when my first adult doctor retired. She recommended two women doctors that she knew and who would be a good match for me.

Well, after I met the first one, that was it. I have been with her since 1980. She never ceases to amaze me with her energy, staying on top or ahead of current issues, her recommendations for specialists, her asking questions that want to understand what is going on in my world.

Interesting note: While I served on the President's Planning Council at my college, my dinner partner one evening was one of the first female plastic surgeons. It turns out that she had taught my doctor who was about to retire !

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

RetRN — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:07:52 GMT

Yes, it's a jungle out there.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

Katcat1 — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:13:03 GMT

@ECBG How about asking to speak to the Office Mgrle It sounds like you are getting two different answers from receptionists or whoever is answering the phones. I have a female dr. and I have a great relationship with her. She gives me excellent care and she is profesisional yet very personable and friendly.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:13:18 GMT

Yes....most were not taking new patients and then some won't accept medicare!

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:13:38 GMT

My favorite Family Doctor retired about 5 years ago. He asked if I would like to be transferred to another doctor in the same practice. I said I would like to be transferred and his nurses took care of the rest. Received a welcome letter from the new doctor stating that he would be available to see me whenever I chose to make my next appointment. The experience was easy and seamless. Wishing you an easy transition.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ALRATIBA — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:26:05 GMT

No - I switched about two years ago. It was really easy - two major hospital networks / groups merged and opened an office right around the corner from me. (I used to have to go across town.)

So - I called and made an appointment - chatted with the doctor and since the merger - she had access to all my prior medical records. The hospital is just a couple of blocks away.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ECBG — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 23:27:51 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
@ECBG How about asking to speak to the Office Mgrle It sounds like you are getting two different answers from receptionists or whoever is answering the phones. I have a female dr. and I have a great relationship with her. She gives me excellent care and she is profesisional yet very personable and friendly.

@Katcat1 Thank you for your kind answer. Apparently, if a non emergency message is left, the call is returned the next morning. We shall see. This is #2. Thank you.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ROMARY — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:03:41 GMT

It could be that part-time/temporary receptionists are working from home.

And, some of them might not know whether or not your doctor is taking new (or whatever) patients.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:06:45 GMT

Yes! I have noticed in the past few years that the best PCP doctors, specialists and even dental specialists (like a Periodontists) are going cash no insurance.

My DH just had surgery today by a well-referred, top of his class surgeon and we paid cash and will have to submit to our insurance company. The real surprise was we still had to wait months to get on his calendar. Business is good I guess.

In our area we are saturated with providers so there are many MANY options. But the best ones do not accept Medicare and many are going cash.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ECBG — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:08:14 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
No - I switched about two years ago. It was really easy - two major hospital networks / groups merged and opened an office right around the corner from me. (I used to have to go across town.)

So - I called and made an appointment - chatted with the doctor and since the merger - she had access to all my prior medical records. The hospital is just a couple of blocks away.

@ALRATIBA What a dream! I wish!!!

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

willdob3 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:56:53 GMT

@ECBG

Last year, a doctor I was seeing gave me a list of 3 PCPs she thought I would like, including her own doctor. Of course, her doctor was not accepting new patients.

My second choice, a DO, was but I had to take an appointment months away. I think I saw him twice last year. Not at all this year. I don’t take any prescription drugs and am pretty healthy so I don’t plan to go to a doctor unless it is an emergency right now.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

millieshops — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 01:35:20 GMT

@ECBG Absolutely - I need a new endocrinologist and get answers that first new patient appointments are any where from 5 to 9 months in the future.

When I saw my internist near the end of February, he told me he was already booking appointments for August, but one of his PA's would be open if I needed attention in the meantime.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ECBG — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 02:07:06 GMT

@willdob3 wrote:
@ECBG

Last year, a doctor I was seeing gave me a list of 3 PCPs she thought I would like, including her own doctor. Of course, her doctor was not accepting new patients.

My second choice, a DO, was but I had to take an appointment months away. I think I saw him twice last year. Not at all this year. I don’t take any prescription drugs and am pretty healthy so I don’t plan to go to a doctor unless it is an emergency right now.

@willdob3 Unreal. Huh? You do need to go in for a few healthy checks to establish a baseline.

I always do my yearly plus labs. When there's an issue, there is a flag.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 02:37:13 GMT

My Dr. of 25 years retired a year ago last May and I was heartbroken I really liked him. He was at a big clinic and recommended only 2 drs that would prescribe my meds for me, both busy and only one taking new patients. Very hard to get an appt. with too.

I could get into my old dr the next day, this dr months of waiting. I dreaded changing.

Cut to the chase I love my new dr, he has put me thru tons of tests which I wasn't used to but he is no nonsense and he has called me at home at least 4 times when I had left a message, who does that! My old dr never called me at home. So probably the best thing that ever happened to me! And I can get an appt if I really need one.

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

Oznell — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 03:31:52 GMT

Hate to tell you, @ECBG , it does seem to be more difficult, at least has been for us.

When our son turned 18 a few years ago, we had to leave his beloved pediatrician and find him a regular practitioner. It was hard! The pickings were not that good, and fewer doctors in the area were accepting new patients, etc.

We finally found one, new to the area, about whom I'm not ecstatic, but he seems relatively OK. He's sort of an amusing character, but doesn't exactly inspire the confidence of our son's previous doctor, or the wonderful doctor my husband and I see.

I'm getting nervous, as our own doctor is getting to the point where he'll probably retire fairly soon...

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

shoekitty — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 04:00:18 GMT

@ECBG

I had to part with my doctor of nearly 40 years, he retired several years ago. It was one of the most painful and sad things I had to do. He treated me since I was 25 years old, he retired when I was mid 60's . Big part of my life. I was really attached to him. When I started going to him Dr visits were 10.50 i think, lol at first he was in private practice, one of the most popular Dr's in Our county. Then came HMO's, he was private. I paid out of pocket to go to him, but at that time dr visit were 40 bucks, reasonable. My insurance only took HMO. Finally all insurances were made to switch over to HMO. It took him nearly 2 years to switch from private to the big medical clinic across the street from him. Then we went to him. Those were the days of Dr's having a max of patients and closing to all new patients, so I was lucky. He was closed to new for may years before and after switching to hmo. He was with the clinic nearly 20 years, same assistants, same front desk girls, when he left is was was sad for all clinic and patients.

i stayed with that clinic and chose an internist I liked who I had seem a few times when he covered for my Doctor. And I am with him now. He is nice, but no onewill ever be like lmy old Doc. They did everything, they knew you. They called, and prescribed over phone , tey haveyou meds whe you couldn tafford tem. They knew every allergy, your kids names. Sigh. Sadly mediicne is not likethat anymore. The clinics dont allow them to see you more than 5 mins for check up. My Dr nowhas never seen me with top off, except for phyical. They used to give you a gown. They did breast check ups every visit, check thyroid your lymph nodes, yada yada

i hear your pain, but you will adjust.....except for te new help they have in so many offices now. No one stays for long. Except in busy, popular Dr's offices that are well liked. Those staff seems dedicated, and know everything, because they stay on for years. I go to some dr' who have new girls up front every few months. The clinic higher-ups have no mercy, they just switch them, or lay off.... or they leave

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

ECBG — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 04:16:06 GMT

@shoekitty Our experiences were almost alike. He had been with me through every part of my life and knew and treated my sister when she was a nurse (I lost her to cancer several years ago).

When I lost her, he explained the new tests he wanted me to take.

At the end of the appt., he took you in his office and renewed the prescriptions on a big screen and put in a narritive about the office visit.

He and I could talk so easily. We "grew up together, he was my doctor 40 years!!!

Re: Have You Had A Hard Time Changing Doctor's Offices?

shoekitty — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 04:16:46 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
@shoekitty Our experiences were almost alike. He had been with me through every part of my life and knew and treated my sister when she was a nurse (I lost her to cancer several years ago).
When I lost her, he explained the new tests he wanted me to take.
At the end of the appt., he took you in his office and renewed the prescriptions on a big screen and put in a narritive about the office visit.
He and I could talk so easily. We "grew up together, he was my doctor 40 years!!!

Shoekitty said, Once you have had the gift of a doctor like that, all other are measured by that. I felt lost for a while after he left. The office was so quite. He had this loud laugh, and he just was so pleasant. I know, i did grow up with him. Lol he knew me through a couple husbands, cancer,, deaths you name it lol. He always asked how arethe kids, my husband, what I was doing.