Are you willing to wait for a good doctor - Page 5

OfCourse · ‎08-26-2017

Yes, I am willing to wait.

ScarletDove · ‎07-11-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:

I think you're misunderstanding. This is largely true of PCPs, GPs and Internists - the typical 'gateway' doctors - not specialists. And it's got nothing to do with the insurance company. Kaiser, as you probably know, is a bit different in how they operate vs other healthcare.

That said - doctors themselves restricting their practice and refusing new patients is extremely common and has been in practice almost two decades that I'm aware of, at least.

When I was working, for many years those of us who chose a BCBS HMO had a choice of only 1-2 PCPs because the rest of the doctors in the HMO were refusing new patients and most doctors didn't want to be in the HMO. That was all down to the doctors and/or their joint practices, not the insurance company at all. And yes, we got the dreg doctors, and yes, we complained about it. Nothing changed until insurance changed and more doctors joined and were available to see new patients. And this wasn't in a small town, it was in LA - and my employer was a hospital and cancer center.

@Moonchilde Thank you for the explanation, it is very informative. I did misunderstand, it was for GP's/Internists, you are correct. When a specialist has been needed my internist would send me to one she named within Kaiser; never had to go outside Kaiser. I have always been very satisfied with all physicians for whatever care was required by a specialist.

I had BCBS years prior to changing to Kaiser, I have been very satisfied with Kaiser, the physicians and care received over the years.

vickie25 · ‎08-11-2012

@Blingqueen023 wrote:
@Lipstickdiva wrote:
I'd probably wait. But what I don't understand is why the office cannot call and tell you the doc is running behind so you don't go and sit. When I was seeing an orthopedic specialist, I had to leave work an hour and 15 minutes early for my appointment which was 3:15. He ended up seeing me at 5:05. Had I known he was running behind like that, I could have left work 20 minutes early. I wasn't happy about that.

Because the office workers have better things to do then to call a bunch of patients to let them know the doctor is running late, that's why. There's a million duties a doctor's office receptionist and office manager does. We don't have time to baby sit patients. It comes with the territory. That's the way it is. We all go through waiting to be seen by a doctor.

With your attitude toward patients I think you are in the wrong job. Why is common courtsey such a difficult thing? How long does it really take to text a patient the doctor is running late. Even better, on the clinic's website, the day's schedule should be listed so the office staff only has to make one update to show how the doctor(s) are running that day. All patients would then be directed to check the website to determine when they needed to arrive.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@nana59 wrote:
I have often heard about scheduling a patient every fifteen minutes....Basically, it all comes down to the money.......does that make for a good doctor?

@nana59

Seriously? You obviously have never managed a medical practice, but seem to think it's okay if they lose money. Well, news flash, it's not

For anyone in the work force, or who runs a business, YES, to a great extent, it's about the money. If you have a job and your boss announced tomorrow to employees that all your jobs will continue but you will no longer be paid for your work, would you stay there and work for nothing? Of course not. I'd bet that even for you .... the money is important.

Over the past few decades, running a medical practice has become increasingly expensive. The billing people are always fighting with insurance companies for payment. Then, there's the rent, employees with specialized training, expensive equipment, and liability and malpractice insurance.

What's the answer? I don't know if there really is one. Some suggest that you book either the first appointment of the day, or the first appointment after lunch, but that doesn't mean there will never be emergencies.

Or call around to find yourself a doctor that never gets behind schedule. Good luck with that.

muttmom · ‎11-28-2012

I am willing to wait for my doctors. I've been that person that has needed more than the allotted scheduled time.

If I've already waited an hour why would I leave?

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@vickie25

While I have been deemed an "electronics nut" by many for several decades, I do not text. I also do not want to feel the need to do so based on anyone's schedule, with whom I have scheduled an appointment. Some do everything in their day, or much of it, glued to an electronic device. While I love electronics, cell phones fall far short of being a part of my passion.

I could type a long list of "to do's" for the staffs of many departments, not just a doctor's office. But that would be very easy because I have no idea what their "job description" already includes in their work related duties.

Had a few work related friends that said "you have such an easy job", but!!! A few of them were offered this job, saw the details what all my job entailed, and none of them took the job. They originally saw only the parts of the job that looked easy to them, as long as I was the one doing it. Learning the total responsibilities and hard work of the job? They passed!

For the doctors I have picked? I will wait and I always manage to occupy my mind by talking with other patients, or doing mental drills that keep my brain as well oiled as possible.

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)

Blingqueen023 · ‎03-09-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@nana59 wrote:
I have often heard about scheduling a patient every fifteen minutes....Basically, it all comes down to the money.......does that make for a good doctor?
@nana59

Seriously? You obviously have never managed a medical practice, but seem to think it's okay if they lose money. Well, news flash, it's not

For anyone in the work force, or who runs a business, YES, to a great extent, it's about the money. If you have a job and your boss announced tomorrow to employees that all your jobs will continue but you will no longer be paid for your work, would you stay there and work for nothing? Of course not. I'd bet that even for you .... the money is important.

Over the past few decades, running a medical practice has become increasingly expensive. The billing people are always fighting with insurance companies for payment. Then, there's the rent, employees with specialized training, expensive equipment, and liability and malpractice insurance.

What's the answer? I don't know if there really is one. Some suggest that you book either the first appointment of the day, or the first appointment after lunch, but that doesn't mean there will never be emergencies.

Or call around to find yourself a doctor that never gets behind schedule. Good luck with that.

@Tinkrbl44 Very well said. These women have no idea what it takes to run a practice and what the doctor spends to pay his staff, order supplies, equipment and pay for malpractice insurance. They just don't have a clue and they never will. They're lucky they even have a good doctor to cure what ailes them. Totally ungrateful. For me, I'm grateful I found a fabulous Oncologist that cured my lymphoma. Yes, I wait to see him like I wait for other doctors, but that's the price you pay to get cured. Doctors are just as stressed out as the patients at times. Give them a darn break!!