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Post by dewryce on Jun 1, 2018 15:59:49 GMT
I'm okay with doctors limiting the number of patients they see if they truly use that as a means to provide for better patient care. And I do understand why they wouldn't want to waste their time on patients that Doctor shop and are often non-compliant. My issue is those that only want to take on young and/or healthy patients. If this becomes common place, what about the rest of us who do have specialists, but also need to see a primary care doctor for general illnesses and annuals for basic health care?
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Post by LuvAgoodPaddle on Jun 1, 2018 16:25:27 GMT
I went through something similar. I had my primary physcian for many years (probably at least 10) but I rarely went in. I'm one that only goes to the Dr when really necessary and luckily other than colds I have been mostly healthy while being his patient. I think I probably saw him maybe 6 times during those years because I really only needed to see my Gyno for yearly check-ups since he did bloodwork, scheduled mammo, etc. Last year I needed to see Primary Dr for something and was told that since I hadn't been in within the previous year I was dropped as a patient and would need to be reapproved. WHAT?!?!?!?!?! It really bothered me because I feel I am a good patient who doesn't go in for every sniffle. So why was I being dropped because I didn't go in for no reason what-so-ever every single year to make sure I could stay on as a patient? I have no idea if this was a new rule this office adopted or if this was from insurance because I got different stories. It honestly made zero sense to me. If they had told me I HAD to visit the office once a year to stay on as a patient, then at least I would have known beforehand and could have decided for myself if I wanted to follow these new rules. Even if it was a waste of time and insurance money. Anyways, when they called me back almost 2 weeks later to tell me they would accept me as a patient, I thanked them but had moved on. Luckily I found another Dr and was able to get in while waiting to be approved by the Dr I had been seeing for about 10 years.  Edited to add: After typing this out (and maybe my coffee has kicked in) I just had this though for the very first time...maybe I was dropped because he wasn't making money off of me? I really would hate to think a Dr would think like that but now I'm wondering.... You don’t even go in for once a year screenings/check-up? I was going to my Gyno for yearly exams. Had to see him to get birth control refilled yearly which required pap exam, then he always did bloodwork and also scheduled mammo. It seems silly to me to get bloodwork done twice a year when nothing is wrong? Am I missing something else that would need to be done with a primary Dr yearly? |
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Post by drummergirl65 on Jun 1, 2018 16:44:06 GMT
This happens here all the time. It’s very common. Basically doctors think they get to choose their clients, rather than clients having the choice of their provider. It is annoying. If this happened here and it got known because there are 600,000 people in the province without family physicians there would be protests. This is BC we protest everything. We had a riot after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup and another one after a Guns n Roses concert was cancelled. Nope, I'm in B.C. as well and it does happen here. My husband and BFF are currently seeking a doctor and they've been denied. We are all on a waiting list now. My old doctor couldn't get anyone to take on her practice when she retired. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 1, 2018 16:47:00 GMT
I haven't had a pcp for at least 10, maybe 15 years. My gyn schedules my blood work and any screenings I need. I guess you could say my gyn is my primary.
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Post by twinks on Jun 1, 2018 16:49:02 GMT
My DD has aged out of the pediatrician - even though he has seen her for several years past the typical age. We decided on a "Family Medicine" type doctor for DD. I called to make an appointment with the doctor the pediatrician recommended. The Dr. was not accepting new patients, but, when I stated that he was recommended by Dr. X, they took down the information and then said they would call me back. Dr. X called me and stated that the new doctor had called him and if I don't get a call back to let him know. I did get a call back for an "intake" appointment. It was interesting because my DD and I were interviewed and we were able to interview him as well. My DD is neurologically compromised so this is important to me. My DD really liked him because he talked to her and asked her the questions. He stated that Dr. X really liked her and that he looked forward to getting to know her. So yes, I think this is happening more and more.
We had a problem with my DD's psychiatrist. We had been seeing him for years and really like him. He does the medication management. We saw him every 6 months and they yearly. He was not a "preferred provider" on our insurance. I paid him up front and then submitted the receipt to our insurance, which paid about 1/4 of what it cost. I felt like he was worth it and I didn't mind at all. Like I stated, we really liked him and he related well to my DD. Several years ago, our insurance changed to an ACO type arrangement. He was the only Dr. not on a plan that all the other doctors were on. Since I was basically self pay, we decided to keep him, with me paying out of pocket for the entire care. Two years ago, I called to make an appointment for my DD. I found out that he was no longer seeing patients, but, had gone to more a teaching/supervising role at the university medical school here. That was fine, but, I was a little shocked. He did call me and talked to me. He renewed my DD's prescription for another year. I called to make an appointment with the new physician a couple of months ago. Since it was basically 2 years since we had been seen at the clinic, my DD was now considered a "new patient." Since my insurance doesn't cover any of the physicians in the clinic, I am totally self pay. So we went, and I paid $350.00 for a new patient visit. Unfortunately, neither my DD nor I were very impressed with the new doctor. My DD stated, "I can take her or leave her. Thankfully I just have to see her once a year." I sent our old psychiatrist an email and he responded with another recommendation. Since we are good for a year and I've already paid my $350, we are going to worry about it next Spring.
Healthcare has gotten out of hand and is so difficult.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 1, 2018 16:51:43 GMT
If this happened here and it got known because there are 600,000 people in the province without family physicians there would be protests. This is BC we protest everything. We had a riot after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup and another one after a Guns n Roses concert was cancelled. Nope, I'm in B.C. as well and it does happen here. My husband and BFF are currently seeking a doctor and they've been denied. We are all on a waiting list now. My old doctor couldn't get anyone to take on her practice when she retired. The doctor shortage in Canada is well known.. This article says 15% of the population of BC is without a family physician and is expected to get worse before it gets better as more physicians are retiring than entering the field: globalnews.ca/news/3911842/b-c-doctor-shortage-about-to-get-worse-as-more-physicians-reach-retirement-age/ |
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Post by deekaye on Jun 1, 2018 16:57:22 GMT
Hmmm, interesting replies. I never even gave it a thought that she would check out my EDIE history (that's what its called in Washington State, not sure what its called elsewhere) to see if I've doctor shopped, hopped in and out of EDs, or if I've been prescribed narcotics (all negative).
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 1, 2018 17:17:10 GMT
If this happened here and it got known because there are 600,000 people in the province without family physicians there would be protests. This is BC we protest everything. We had a riot after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup and another one after a Guns n Roses concert was cancelled. Nope, I'm in B.C. as well and it does happen here. My husband and BFF are currently seeking a doctor and they've been denied. We are all on a waiting list now. My old doctor couldn't get anyone to take on her practice when she retired. Yeah I think it as happened to my sister too when she needed end of life care and my GP didn’t want to take her on but she did take my mother so she is selective. |
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