topic Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling? in Community Chat

Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Kalli — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:29:14 GMT

With regard to scheduling an appointment, is preference given to those who have private healthcare, like Blue C, (or the plan offered by that particular hospital system), as opposed to those on Medicare?

Here's the deal...I go to a Nurse Practioner for yearly gyn. I absolutely love her and have been going to her for at least 15 years. She's the one everyone wants to get an appt with. She treats her patients as if they are the only one, keeps up with what's going on in our lives, has the most recent medical knowledge.

It's really hard to get an appt with her. (Right now, I'm told she's booked completely for 2021.) I discovered many years ago that if I wanted to maintain my yearly appts, it was best to schedule the next year's appt at the same time I signed out and paid for the current one. That has worked for me for over 10 years.

Last year I tried to do that and was told her schedule was booked for months and to call back to schedule my next appt in a few months. Well, I knew if I waited I'd never get in, still they refused. I thought maybe this was a new policy. Then I found out that my friend was able to schedule her appt for a year away when she left her most recent appt and there was no problem. The difference is that friend is younger and not on Medicare yet. After my last appt, I aged into Medicare. That's the reason I'm wondering if preference is given to those not on Medicare because Medicare pays less?

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

suzyQ3 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:40:14 GMT

@Kalli, I don't know the answer to your question, but If I were you, I would speak to a different rep or maybe someone higher up.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Still Raining — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:41:53 GMT

This whole year has been hard. Some have closed down for a bit or gone tele or have been laid off or sent over to the main hospital.

Today I trying to schedule an infusion but a whole cancer site is shut down due to the virus. Which I take to mean all the providers have been infected. Going to be a long drive.

Just hang tight.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

happycat — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:01:47 GMT

I'd be calling down there and asking for the office manager, tell her exactly what happened and ask them why?

I have never heard of such.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Kalli — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:09:24 GMT

@Still Raining @suzyQ3 , This happened last Sept.(2019). I actually was able to get an appointment after trying several times, asking different schedulers and pleading my case. Spent what seemed like hours on the phone. Finally someone did schedule my appointment for this Fall, which is in a few weeks, however the person who got me in asked that I not tell anyone else what she did!

I hadn't thought about this for months and just assumed that the appointment office had adopted a new procedure by not allowing anyone to schedule for the next year. However, when I found out my friend had her 2020 appointment a few months ago I happened to ask her by chance if she was able to schedule for next year and she told me, "of course" which made wonder about them denying me due to Medicare.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

ahoymate — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:21:14 GMT

@Kalli wrote:
@Still Raining @suzyQ3 , This happened last Sept.(2019). I actually was able to get an appointment after trying several times, asking different schedulers and pleading my case. Spent what seemed like hours on the phone. Finally someone did schedule my appointment for this Fall, which is in a few weeks, however the person who got me in asked that I not tell anyone else what she did!

I hadn't thought about this for months and just assumed that the appointment office had adopted a new procedure by not allowing anyone to schedule for the next year. However, when I found out my friend had her 2020 appointment a few months ago I happened to ask her by chance if she was able to schedule for next year and she told me, "of course" which made wonder about them denying me due to Medicare.

Very frustrating kalli. I would call & speak with the office manager. Explain the situation, nicely, and ask what's going on? If they don't take medicare patients they should tell you.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

noodleann — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:46:52 GMT

If they're taking patients preferentially whose insurance reimburses better or with less paperwork than those on other insurance--whether it's private or government--is that actually wrong or illegal?

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

fresh kitty — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:54:35 GMT

I had my yearly checkup scheduled for Nov but with the virus I canceled it being it wasn't necessary and thought they could get another person in . I was told they could reschedule me in mid February so I took that. She said that some of the doctors aren't working or only part time so it's crazy in these troulbled times.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

patbz — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:56:24 GMT

@Kalli : I'm sure you hit the nail.on the head! The year I turned 65, my primary care doctor insisted that I schedule with a particular gynecologist ( due to family history issue). When I called that doctor and they asked if I was on Medicare, they told me they weren't taking any Medicare patients. Fortunately, I persisted and mentioned that I was also covered by bcbs and that my doctor insisted that I go this particular doctor. I went to that gynecologist until I relocated to Arizona. I know that doctors don't like additional paperwork and rate of reimbursement of Medicare.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

4kitties — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:59:44 GMT

Does Medicare cover a yearly gynecologist exam? I may be mistaken but I think they only pay for one every two years. Maybe that could have something to do with it?

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

deb5555 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:03:44 GMT

You could ask the office receceptionist to be put on a list if a patient cancells to call you for a sooner appointment, alot of office do this.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Iwantcoffee — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:18:07 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
Does Medicare cover a yearly gynecologist exam? I may be mistaken but I think they only pay for one every two years. Maybe that could have something to do with it?

This info is from Medicare.gov

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to check for cervical and vaginal cancers. As part of the pelvic exam, Medicare also covers a clinical breast exam to check for breast cancer. Medicare covers these screening tests once every 24 months. If you’re at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, or if you’re of child-bearing age and had an abnormal Pap test in the past 36 months, Medicare covers these screening tests once every 12 months.

Part B also covers Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests (as part of a Pap test) once every 5 years if you’re age 30-65 without HPV symptoms.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

ahoymate — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:20:24 GMT

@Iwantcoffee wrote:
@4kitties wrote:
Does Medicare cover a yearly gynecologist exam? I may be mistaken but I think they only pay for one every two years. Maybe that could have something to do with it?
This info is from Medicare.gov

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to check for cervical and vaginal cancers. As part of the pelvic exam, Medicare also covers a clinical breast exam to check for breast cancer. Medicare covers these screening tests once every 24 months. If you’re at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, or if you’re of child-bearing age and had an abnormal Pap test in the past 36 months, Medicare covers these screening tests once every 12 months.
Part B also covers Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests (as part of a Pap test) once every 5 years if you’re age 30-65 without HPV symptoms.

FYI.........Medicare covers a breast exam yearly.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

SeaMaiden — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:20:42 GMT

@noodleann wrote:
If they're taking patients preferentially whose insurance reimburses better or with less paperwork than those on other insurance--whether it's private or government--is that actually wrong or illegal?

No, more like doing BUSINESS

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

geezerette — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:38:29 GMT

If the practitioner is extremely popular and has more patients already than she can handle, she might not want to take Medicare insurance. But I think some doctors don't come out and say this. Some will pick and choose their Medicare patients, some limit the number. Some don't take it at all.

I would call her office and just ask everything you have here. If it's true that she doesn't take Medicare, or is reluctant, you may have to pay out of pocket if you want to continue seeing her. But there may be another reason for not being able to get a future appointment.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Venezia — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:49:24 GMT

@Kalli - Just my two-cents-worth, but several people have suggested you talk to someone at the office about this, particularly the manager.

If it were me, I wouldn't rock the boat until after you've had your appointment. You were asked not to "tell anyone" what this person did to schedule you. So, if you start to question things beforehand, you may find your appointment gets cancelled for some reason.

By all means, address the issue immediately after your appointment and ask for a direct answer, as to why you ran into scheduling difficulties. If they are choosing to prioritize private plans over Medicare, you at least deserve to know that.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

suziebee1 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:50:21 GMT

I had this happen to me and the reason was that my doctor only wanted to deliver babies and deal with women who were in that age range. Since I was in my 40's at the time and not interested in having a baby any longer, I got kicked to the curb.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

hckynut — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:54:50 GMT

@Kalli

Know nothing about scheduling other than what my nephew-in-law, a PCP, has told me about why he left his last practice. It was for "over scheduling patients", and "time per patient".

I have been on Medicare now since 2004, and my serious health issues started with PE in 2002. Nothing has changed with any of my many doctors over those years, other than 1 specialist that decided to work at our VA

My doctors, the ones that want to see me annually, call me to set up the appointments, for my annual visits. Even my monthly Hemotolohist's office calls to remind my wife and myself for our monthly visits.

My wife and I are leaving within the hour to see our PCP. Her for a flu shot, myself for my annual physical/flu shot, and whatever tests he thinks I need have done.

Those have been my experiences before and after going on Medicare.

If you are the @Kalli that rides horses and knows my sis! Dang I didn't know you were such a youngster! =^..^=

hckynut

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

Mz iMac — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:55:07 GMT

@noodleann wrote:
If they're taking patients preferentially whose insurance reimburses better or with less paperwork than those on other insurance--whether it's private or government--is that actually wrong or illegal?

@noodleann @Kalli

It's illegal & the medical practice should be reported to the State Medical Board.

Re: Anyone here do hospital appt scheduling?

ahoymate — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:58:36 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@noodleann wrote:
If they're taking patients preferentially whose insurance reimburses better or with less paperwork than those on other insurance--whether it's private or government--is that actually wrong or illegal?
@noodleann @Kalli

It's illegal & the medical practice should be reported to the State Medical Board.

MD's have the right to not accept medicare patients. Today, most want cash. No insurance of any kind. It's legal.