Wellness

[RedTop]

I hear the same here in WV, but my medical Dr extended his office hours until 6 p.m. to accommodate urgent need appts.  As long as you never miss a scheduled appt and go on their No Show list, staff does their best to accommodate you.   

Also, in this area, if the medical problem is serious enough to send you to the ER or hospitals quick care clinic, paperwork is sent to your Dr with the recommendation for follow up care, which is usually within 7-10 days.  As soon as the office receives that paperwork, they are reaching out to set up an appt, regardless of their schedule.

[gertrudecloset]

Where I live there are many urgent care centers you walk in with no appointment for emergency things.  Sometimes they are afilliated with a hospital but most of them are private medical practices that only do urgent care every day of the week.

So many in my area....I've never been to one and not sure if they take Medicare but it's worth looking into when you need to see a doctor ASAP.

[drizzellla]

My brother-in-law's GP Doctor wanted him to see a Specialist. His appointment is in October. The appointment was made in April.

[chlema]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

Where I live there are many urgent care centers you walk in with no appointment for emergency things.  Sometimes they are afilliated with a hospital but most of them are private medical practices that only do urgent care every day of the week.

So many in my area....I've never been to one and not sure if they take Medicare but it's worth looking into when you need to see a doctor ASAP.

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Most urgent care centers in my area accept Medicare.  This time of year is typically when my asthma/allergy/ breathing problems kick off and it's impossible to get an appointment with my primary in a timely manner, so they suggested I go to the ER affiliated with the hospital or go to the ER.  Made an appointment, picked my time, was in and out in 1/2 hour with scripts.  Fine today!

Called today to schedule my yearly routine tests with my cardiologist, mid-September for tests, mid-October for follow up with the doctor.  And that's the way it is.

[LindaSal]

Agreed.  I believe this is a problem everywhere, especially with specialty practices.   I was able to get physicals scheduled in a couple of months for me and DH (our doctor doesn't book a year in advance).   However DH had a terrible skin issue and it was very difficult to see a dermatologist, even our regular one couldn't see him.  Our regular doctor got him in to lance and drain the area and he was put on an antibiotic.  It was some sort of cyst........anyway by the time the derm appt rolled around he was fine, he kept the appointment but it really wasn't necessary.   

[pieman]

Sure am!

I live in Florida,for 2 weeks nows trying to get an appointment with a dermetologist for a basal cell cardcinoma .

I've filled out online forms to have their offices contact me.

Finally broke the protocol and phoned them, was given an appointment for Sept, time 3-3:10, a ten minute appointment!

Not very happy with that  but kept it and decided to keep looking , not one of these so called physicians return an email or phone call,

What the heck is wrong with these people?

Shows you how little they care about patients.

I'm getting to the point where I'll just walk into the ER for help.

Its a slow grow cancer, thank God, but if not taken care of , it can kill you by spreading..

They just don't care anymore, hope they have the same problem when they are in need..

Good luck to the OP..

[millieshops]

@GoneButNotForgotten    Definite issue in my area -  way more need than doctors to fill those needs.  For routine care, about 4 or 5 years back my PCP began taking "new" bookings a year apart,  with him actually recording that appointment online before we left the examining room.

He signs scripts for a year's worth of medications for those that don't require me seeing a specialist.

For any other needs, all appointments go through one of his PA's or a nurse.  They can consult with him when they need to.   I see the same PA more frequently than I see the doctor himself.    

[Jo1313]

Same here in upstate NY( the sticks)..one of my Dr.s left in Dec...a  podiatrist...no one replaced him locally...I have an appt. with a new one 40 miles away! In Oct...I have an ongoing issue that is supposed to be seen every 60 days..My primary is trying to keep up with my issue but I see her every 90 days.

Saw my oncologist in June..supposed to see him in 1 a yr...He has no appts. open until Aug.2023.

Remember when ONE Dr. took care of everything???

[chickenbutt]

I don't see doctors at all, but I've been hearing this from all over the country for a while now.   I belong to a couple of boards (totally unrelated to this one), with people from all over and have seen stories about this so many times.

[mac116]

I always book 6 months in advance for my primary, cardiologist, dermatologist, and dentist.  All are really good, and book up quickly.  If and/or when I get sick, I can usually get in to see their PA pretty quickly.