Wellness

[CelticCrafter]

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@Still Raining wrote:

It is getting hard to even get an appointment.  As long as they keep up with ordering labs and scans we have to be content.  Once these lapse it is troubling.  

Rx are often for 12 months which is helpful.

Just make friends with the urgent care and ER.  

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I'm hearing from a lot of people that if you try to get a sick visit with the PCP they are telling them to go to Urgent Care.

So what's the point of a PCP if you can't get to see them if you are sick.  They refer all other issues to specialists so unless your insurance requires a referral for a specialist why bother.

[Toppers3]

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@qualitygal wrote:

In the last year, I've had 2 doctor appt.'s changed, and this month, due to things beyond their control, I've changed my dental appt., five times.  It happens, no problems, we're flexable.  I've just never encountered so many appt's that have needed changing as I have in the last year.

I mean, law of averages, this seems like a lot. Very curious.

Do you have to change appt's around a lot?  It's happened to my husband too, tho not as much.  

Just seems strange to me.

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I've had experiences like many others have had here, too.

With our newer primary care doctor, she is so booked up that you mostly have to go to Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic if you need any kind of appointment that needs attention and can't wait.

I pretty much expect to have to go to Urgent Care for that kind of care, as my immune system is compromised and I'm prone to getting Staph infections.

My husband and I have had other doctor's offices (specialists) reschedule us too.

I think that there are more staff shortages, and it seems that there are also longer wait times too, to have tests scheduled like if you need an MRI for example, especially. It seems like you have to wait for several weeks to have something like that done, unless you can get in due to a cancellation.

[granddi]

Universally frustrating! I've waited 5 months for new PCP. One week before the appointment the office said so sorry we must reschedule. So my new appointment is another 5 months from now. 

I very politely protested but to no avail. 

The schedulers have no authority to override policy. 

There is nothing to gain by shooting the messenger. 

[SaveTheTurtles]

I'm surprised reading about all the cancelled or changed appointments. It used to be the only appointments that got moved was because the doctor was called to deliver a baby! I guess I haven't had appointment issues and I make mine a year in advance also if they let me. Sometimes it just depends on who you talk to at the desk.

[Sassycoco]

I have noticed this as well

My MD ,Has changed my appointment at least 4 times this year ! I was informed...it's because
they use a call center....they make
the appointments for all practices...that are affiliated with the
same hospital....

I had to hold on the phone for over 50 minutes just to make a Dr's appointment 🙃....I miss the days
when I could actually call my Dr's
office and make an appointment 😌

The representative from the call center...told me, they have limited
access to the Dr's schedule...just
doesn't matter sense to me ..imo

[FatCatinCT]

It's only April and I've had three doctors change my appointments already.

One appointment with a neurologist has been rescheduled many times, my appointment is now May 9th and fingers crossed they will keep this appointment.  With the referal, cancellations etc., it will be TWO YEARS that i've had to wait!

[GoneButNotForgotten]

to the op: yes, I've had to reschedule appointments a lot. If you don't give something like 2 working days noticed, they SAY they can ding you something like $100 or more.

But if you're a regular patient and they know you have a good reason for cancelling at the last minute (I've had to do that occasionally), they won't enforce the rule.

I know--it's embarassing, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

[chrystaltree]

I did change my dental appointment three times.  Routine cleaning.  Twice I rescheduled because it was frigid outside and the office is always cold.  I didn't want to sit in the chair shivering.  I rescheduled a third time because my I was in so much pain with this frozen shoulder thing.   It's scheduled for 4/24 now.  My other doctors are all specialists and doctors I must see so I never break an appointment because it would take months to get another one.

[ECBG]

You just reminded me to chg an appointment!  Thanks!

[Tinkrbl44]

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@qualitygal wrote:

In the last year, I've had 2 doctor appt.'s changed, and this month, due to things beyond their control, I've changed my dental appt., five times.  It happens, no problems, we're flexable.  I've just never encountered so many appt's that have needed changing as I have in the last year.

I mean, law of averages, this seems like a lot. Very curious.

Do you have to change appt's around a lot?  It's happened to my husband too, tho not as much.  

Just seems strange to me.

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@qualitygal 

Whenever possible, I always book the first appointment after lunch.   Less waiting and mid-day traffic is easy.

I haven't changed appts lately, but my doctors have done so.  I'm glad it's easy to do.  lol