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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,465
Registered: ‎03-27-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

@granddi My neighbor interviewed several concierge docfors & the ones she spoke with do not accept insurance, just straight private pay. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,232
Registered: ‎12-14-2018

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

You have written about one of my greatest fears @granddi. I've been a patient of my PCP for about 30 years.  I retired as well and moved to a smaller community but decided to give it a try and commute for my doc.  I work very hard at staying healthy and so far go once a year for "well visits" and now more than ever I think he's a saint. Of course, with Covid came the use of telemetry visits which my Dr. and insurance have offered. So far so good. But it's good to know it's there. I have had a couple of orthopedic procedures and a snake bite and full cooperation all around. It makes such a difference and I really hope you have a happy resolve.

BTW  it's not happy/sunshine on the providers' end either. Staffing/patient ratio ridiculous and a plethora of issues for them as well.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,441
Registered: ‎11-15-2011

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

@granddi Concierge doctors do not take insurance.  You pay privately for your services.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,107
Registered: ‎03-28-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

Yes.  Twice.  Once for my daughter and once for my husband.  When we moved to another state, had to find new pediatrician for my daughter.  I absolutely loved her old pediatrician.  When I found one, I tried to make an appointment with her but was unable to even with almost 2 months notice.  I went ahead and make appointment with NP because she needed all the paperwork work in to start her new school.  Well, fast forward 5 years.  In 5 years we have only been able to see her primary pediatrician once!  I called the office, told them we were leaving and explained why.  Went on to tell them that in the 10 years of seeing our previous pediatrician, I can count on one hand how many times we couldn't see him (but if he was there in the office and saw us, he'd pop in).  My husband had blood in his urine.  Took him to urologist.  He went to the back for his appointment, I was in waiting room.  In less than 30 seconds he was texting me....ordering blood work, ordering CT Scan and ordering cystoscopy.  He spent zero time with my husband and my husband said he only asked about the color and spent no time with him.  I went to the back to be in room with him in hopes to speak with doctor.  He opened door and said "oops, wrong room." And we never saw him again.  I called the next day and switched to a different doctor within the same group.  My husband had the CT Scan which showed a kidney stone and he was able to pass it on his own.  My husband even expressed how much better he liked the new doctor.  Best decision!  And my daughter's new pediatrician is wonderful!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 24,685
Registered: ‎07-21-2011

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

@granddi   You do not have to wait to change.  I changed once thinking all my doctors should be with the same group -- Wrong.  The new dr. change was very disappointing.  Hum Drum.  I went back to my dr. and apologized for the change and we have been together 10 years.  She gives me excellent care and has a warm, genuine personality.

kindness is strength
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,474
Registered: ‎09-08-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

I would absolutely change PCP's if I had that experience. Remember, they work for you, you don't work for them. At the very least, they are getting paid by Medicare, and it is their job to take the best care of you that they can. It's unacceptable for any doctor to act bored, disinterested, or like act like a robot. I could not work with any healthcare practitioner that didn't have my best interest in mind. I understand that they're trying to get in as many patients as possible, but there is no excuse for a poor healthcare practitioner. I would absolutely, 100% change offices.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,474
Registered: ‎09-08-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?


@ninjawife wrote:

@granddi Concierge doctors do not take insurance.  You pay privately for your services.


And, in some cases, it is worth it.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,283
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?


@Lipstickdiva wrote:

I don't know what the rules are for medicare but in my area, with most practices, in order to switch PCPs you have to become an established patient with the practice.  That means you have to have a wellness exam with them first.  And many practices have a wait time of 8-12 months for a wellness exam.  Not to mention my insurance will pay for 1 wellness exam per year.  

 

If you aren't established is a PCP and you have an illness, you are almost forced to an Urgent Care because no one will take you if you aren't considered their patient.


It's just my opinion, unless you are in an HMO and are required to have a PCP because of specialist referrals, they're useless.  They treat nothing  but common illnesses, everything else you get told to go see a specialist.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,133
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?

@granddi , I hear ya.  Changing docs can be so frustrating.  Was this a new patient consult or were you seeing her for a particular issue?  

I find with technology as it is now with my docs and my husband's they do spend the time looking at their computer, reading reports, updating, etc. Asking questions here and there.  Then after that is when we will talk about what ails me or him and go from there.  I have always found it so frustrating that I will spend my time filling out all the forms and "why are you seeing the doctor today" and they never look at it, so I think that is pretty common.  For both of us at this stage of our lives and with our health although a good primary is fantastic, I also want somebody who will listen to what ails me and actually refer me to specialists as needed.   

If this was more than a new patient consult and you were there for a particular issue/exam and you felt she didn't deal with that that is one thing; if it was a new patient consult where she was meeting you and getting you into the system and sending out for initial bloodwork, I would maybe give her another chance and see how it goes from there.

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,776
Registered: ‎02-13-2021

Re: Did you ever pick the wrong Doc?


@granddi wrote:

After retiring and moving to a new community, I had to set up my entire medical group. It's all gone smoothly except for the PCP.

 

I liked my new doc but could NEVER see her. (This is not a discussion about the conpentency of NP of PA's) I was ALWAYS diverted to some else in the practice. So I decided to make a change. 

 

The new doc had good credentials. My visit was so disappointing. No eye contact--no personality--seemed bored--It just is not going to work. I typed out 1/2 page relavant points about my health and she would ask my questions from the computer screen prompts. I would say "I think that is on my sheet." She said she was going to step out and order blood work. Never came back in and never said "do you have any questions?" If she had I was prepared to say "Am I a good fit for your practice?"

 

New doc already got my records! I might have to limp along for 12 months and try again. I don't think Medicare wil be happy if I try a new doc now. 

 

Now I feel better talking to you all and my hubby thanks you for listening!


@granddi Medicare does not care how many times you change docs.  Especially if they are your Primary Care docs.  As long as the doc accepts your medicare and bills Medicare for your service, why would they care?  They don't have a restriction on how many PCP's you can interview.  Same applies to specialty physicians.  All Medicare cares about is if the doc will accept your Medicare assignment.  They don't make the personal physician choices for you.  Why would you think that they would?





A Negative Mind ~ Will give you a Negative Life