Wellness

[lizzief]

I go to the dermatologist every six months to a year for a skin check. But the only time I had something removed and it turned out to be pre-cancerous was because I asked about it! It was a mole in a weird place that you normally wouldn't necessarily see. But I felt it, so I asked about it. So of course ask away! Your concerns don't sound like anything that would take long, but if the appointment runs long, I'm sure the doctor will tell you if you need to come back. So many people are intimidated by their doctors, but they should be there to help you - for more than 5 or 10 minutes if necessary!

[Buck-i-Nana]

On 3/9/2015 DCShopper said:

The Days of Marcus Welby, MD are over. With managed care, time is a very important factor in how you and your insurance will be charges as well as how the Doctor keeps on time. He may be rated by how on time he is with the patients particularly if he is part of a large practice or owned by a corporation like Johns Hopkins. It is necessary to stay on time to not get penalized. These days no doctor can afford to take his time with every patient they see or they may end up out of business.

Not only does my family practice physician take his time with each and every patient and not only have I never heard anyone complain about having to wait if appts are running late, but every one I've ever talked to in the waiting room has shared stories about how many friends and family became patients of this Dr based on patient recommendations.

Sorry the days of Marcus Welby are gone for you, but they are in full force with my Dr - and yes, he's even made house calls back when my hubby was battling cancer.

[GrailSeeker]

I work billing insurance for a specialist. I am not sure about dermatology, but my doctor can only bill for one evaluation and management, or one procedure at a time. They do bill by time spent with the patient, but after a certain level is reached, you are triggering an audit by the insurance company. For instance, there is no 1 hour evaluation and management/office visit code. Medicare is no longer paying for bilateral procedures, such as left and right sides, same procedure. They pay for one procedure only, no matter how many are done.

My doctor is in private practice, and yes, it does create a problem when a patient wants to address many problems, but only told the scheduler about one concern.

We have even had spouses sneak the other one in for a quick question while his wife was there, or usher in 3 kids that they want to be seen, when one appointment was made.

Oh, I can't tell you the complaints I've had from patients when we are running an hour late, because some one calls and says - "I'm running a little late, but I'll be there," or "oh, and I wanted him to look at this other thing, too".

Even though many diagnoses may be listed on the insurance claim, you doctor most likely will be paid the same amount as he would be for one.

[GrailSeeker]

We normally schedule 15 minute slots, unless we know we will need more time for an in office procedure.

[rac71]

I went in to see the derm about a chronic lump on my leg; forgot what it's called. It had been checked and determined benign before. I have a smaller, older one lower by my ankle. But this kept getting gross, crusty, and never calmed down. I wound up having it removed completely, right then in-office. It wasn't an issue. Pathology still came back negative, but the removal of a constantly itchy, irritated growth was peace of mind. They also check my rosacea, update scrips, and answer other dermal questions. A full-body check is a separate appointment only because of the time allowed for my in-office surgery and suture removal appointments. However, had a problem arisen, it would have been addressed.

[CalminHeart]

Definitely bring up everything at one visit. Just be sure you tell them that when you schedule the appointment.

[ValuSkr]

Yes, of course, ask about as many things as you want. You have to get your money's worth - healthcare isn't cheap.

[misschristy]

Yes! If my doctor said he couldn't, I would change doctors. Plus the freckles are a "must check now" thing.

[Chrystaltree2]

ahhhh....yes....and if you do have multiple problems or questions for your doctor, any doctor, make list. You are paying for that visit and you should make the most of it. I've done the list thing for years, a doctor friend suggested it and my doctors love it. Their time is limited, a list of my concerns keeps the visit on track and I don't get home and thing "I forgot to tell him about...".

[hckynut]

If all the problems you are asking about are related to dermatology I see no reason do not get answers to all of them. If I have questions for any of my doctors and they seem to be in a hurry to leave, I call them out. I am the patient and that is how they make their living. any DR that tries to rush out when I still have questions will be called my former doctor.