Wellness

[beckyb1012]

Yes the only time I see my actual Dr. is for my bi annual exams booked 6 months in advance.  For sick visits I see and prefer to see the Nurse Practitioner.  My Dr. as 3 of them so I usually get in the same day I need to.

[proudlyfromNJ]

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@mac116 wrote:

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.

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@mac116  I book in advance also. When I leave dentist or doctors office, I am given  another appointment. Have done this for years.

[sann]

My PCP is usually booked six weeks at least, but is very good about making time if you have something going on and can't wait that long.....

[Meowingkitty]

I had a doctor many years ago who would always put me on a 3 month wait list. One time I told the office I was getting laid off in about a month and would be losing my insurance. I got an appointment  almost immediately. I did this a couple of other times and it worked with another doctor too. Of course it won't work if your on Medicare. 

[FrostyBabe2]

I usually schedule with my PCP a year in advance. Unfortunately, I needed to reschedule my annual fesitivities as I'll be out of town. I was quited happily suprised when they were able to accomodate me just a week after I was originally scheduled. 

[beach-mom]

@GoneButNotForgotten - It happens all of the time here, and it's maddening. It seems like it just happened overnight. The practice we go to will send you to a walk-in clinic. They even have two nurse practitioners who are always booked!

My good friend left the practice because of this, but she can't get away from this. I have another friend who goes to a "concierge doctor." It is one physician and you pay monthly to belong. But you can always get in. The doctors take only a certain number of patients.

I assume it's happening all over.   

[hckynutjohn]

@GoneButNotForgotten 

I can't answer your question about this being a national problem. I can however tell you it has never been a problem in my area, for any of the many health/injury issues I have, or am currently experiencing.

hckynut  🇺🇸

[PINKdogWOOD]

I called my PCP for annual wellness last week. I can't get in until October either. WHAT?????  She told me people are returning after the pandemic. I told her that happened at least a year ago. 

Oh well....

[wagirl]

All the time------had an appt to see gastro dr---got one 2 months later!! By the time it came around, my issues were cleared up---same with my heart dr.--- I hear the same thing--short staffed, covid--yaddah yaddah------I understand-----but come on!!!!

[chrystaltree]

Yes.  In June my Cardiologist referred me to a nephrologist.  I had my kidney ultrasound but I could not get the nephrology appointment.  I called more times than I can could count on the new appointment line.  No one ever called me back.  Yesterday I told my pcp about it and she told me to go up to the Nephrology department and ask to make an appointment and refuse to take no for an answer.  It's not urgent so they can schedule it as far out as they have to.  I did all that.  The lady was not happy with me but I did get an appointment for Dec 20.  I'm in MA where there are plenty of doctors, if you throw a stone, you'll hit a doctor but getting a new patient appointment is a horror show.