They Did What!

sweetee2 · ‎06-21-2015

Hubby and I, our children well adult children now have been going to the same Dr. office for over 40 years. There were 4 doctors and it was pretty easy to get in. It was like family.

Well last year when we went in for our flu, pneumonia shots instead of talking to the young lady out front they handed us a tablet to sign in. I though this is gross all this sick people touching this. Well they had been bought out.

It gets better. I called last Friday to make an appointment to get our shots and all I got was a recording saying that the new company has decided to close the office.

We're still in shock, at our age looking for a new Dr.? I can't believe they can do that. All those hundreds of people out of their doctor.

PinkyPetunia · ‎03-09-2010

That is quite a shock. Are they not referring you to other doctors or practices?

Early last year my internist advised me by text she was retiring. She did recommend someone else to see, which I did. It worked out as the new doc is in a large group and imaging and lab are in the same building, so it is easier for me.

Ask friends, neighbors and coworkers which doctors they use. Or look up new docs on your insurance company website.

kitcat51 · ‎09-15-2016

Happens all the time & many Drs, including mine aren't taking new patients. Check to see if your Drs simply moved to another clinic, to cut costs many are consolidating.

Carol Diane · ‎04-27-2015

Maybe you can find out where the 4 doctors went to. I doubt all 4 retired at the same time. Maybe they joined another medical group close to you. Usually a dr will contact you by mail to let you know where they are going or recommend another dr.

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

How frustrating!

Count yourself lucky you were able to stay with the same Docs for 40 years, and enjoy that sense of continuity in your healthcare. I don't think many could say that.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

My old Dr. started out being 5 minutes from my house. Then after a couple of years he had a falling out with the other Dr. and moved to 15 minutes from my house. I guess he didn't like it there either so he moved 30 minutes from my area. Then he decided to drop out of the system he was in and go work at some clinic 45 minutes from my house. That place was the last straw. I liked him as a doctor but the office barely spoke English. They handed me my new forms in Spanish and when I asked them for English they looked at me as if I had two heads. I was done. When I asked them to transfer my records to the new doc they tried to charge me. My new doc got all the information for me for free and I am now back at my original office 5 minutes from home with a new doctor who seems pretty good.

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

This is becoming a common problem. I'm seeing it more with docs and clinics that previously took Medicare/Medicaid patients.

I had the same GYN and PCP docs for 9 years. They both suddenly opted out of Medicare plans, the year after I was eligible for Medicare. My PCP said she wanted more time to spend with her patients, not Medicare required documentation that took 20-30 min. per patient, after a time limited 5 minute visit, if that. Yes, the time they spend for certain issues is dictated. It's a -- move the masses through -- approach.

My prior PCP simply closed down her office and moved into hospital work. She said she couldn't support her staff and small office with constant delayed insurance payments. She was like, 'how would you like to work and not get paid for months, sometimes having to fight for it.' She was a stellar doc, greatly missed.

I wound up in the hospital last year with an irregular heartbeat, at a time I was still looking for a new PCP. Good docs aren't taking new patients. When they ask you who your PCP is and you tell them you don't have one, they treat you like a neglectful idiot. But, what's a person to do, when you can't seem to keep one. We're NOT the problem, the system IS.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

might as get use to changes like this as time goes on... especially with medical issues. Times are a changing....

patbz · ‎03-10-2010

For years, DH and I used doctors in Santa Barbara, even after we moved from CA to AZ. Eleven years ago DH got airvacted from our home to Mayo Clinic, etc. Ten weeks later he was ready to come home and clearly he needed a good doctor and there were none taking patients in our small town. I found ou r wonderful doctor, who is hospitalist at a major Phoenix hospita,l by asking people in a hospital waiting room. I found a Nurse Trainer who was able to match our numerous criteria (DH has complicated med history) with our perfect doctor.

GAQShopr53 · ‎07-27-2015

Wow that is a shocker @sweetee2 to have an office just close without warning. I have seen several medical offices close and sometimes it's about the office losing money. Another office was purchased by another health group and decided to scale back on the services offered.

My Dr's office has this group concept and you will may not see the same physician but a different doctor or nurse practitioner that is in that group. I don't mind having to see another physician as long as they are knowledgeable....the only issue I have is that they are all in the same office and you have to keep giving your history every time you see a different person. There is no continuity of care!