Fallout from Obamacare? Two-month wait to see family doc (Vanity)

November 17, 2017 | self

[floozy22]

Not surprising for new patients. I need to schedule routine physicals a few months out, too, and I have great insurance through my company and have been seeing my doctor for years.

Are you on Obamacare? If not, then why would you think it was Obamacare related?

It may be the new normal. I never had to wait that long to see a GP as a new patient. Maybe a week or two, but never months. Am not on Obamacare, but the ACA has changed all facets of healthcare in this country, IMO.

[floozy22]

A routine check up appointment often requires a wait these days——and why does that even matter?

The important thing is the ability to see a doctor quickly if you are having a problem.

I don't go to the doc that much, things have changed. That particular health system has all my records for the last 10-15 years, so I'd prefer to stay with them. And yes, if anything serious there are other options. But am still really surprised at the 2 month wait to see a GP, even as a new patient. This is a large system/network in an area with good demographics and income. Healthcare providers all compete for patients/customers, more now than ever. That's why it's surprising.

[floozy22]

You only want a checkup. Why should you jump ahead of everyone who needs immediate care?

I don't want to "jump ahead of everyone who needs immediate care." I can find another doctor, one that just doesn't already have my medical history. But such a poor response by a large provider network/system is not good for the community at large.

One would think that a large healthcare network/system that competes for patients/customers would have a better response time for GP's. Think about how many new patients call, decide not to wait the 2 months, and go elsewhere. That's lost revenue to any business enterprise. Especially in an area with good demographics and income. Maybe they are a victim of their own success.

Maybe it's the new normal. But it still stinks.

[floozy22]

In my area, a decade ago, if you wanted to get into to see your family Doctor you might have a couple days wait, a week at most and often you could even get in the same day as long as you were willing to wait a few hours for a cancellation or a no-show... Not anymore

From comments posted by others, it's the new norm. But it still stinks. We're obviously more than halfway to true socialized medicine.

[floozy22]

Healthcare spending, as a percent of GDP, is probably the highest it's ever been. We've been subjected to an endless army of "experts," analyzing every health and medical related statistic they can come up with, all encased in the nauseatingly omnipresent taxpayer-funded healthcare studies.

And what do we have to show for it? The most basic and simple healthcare transaction - a trip to your family doctor - has now become the equivalent of what used to be a wait to see a specialist, taking weeks, even months.

Crap, let's just get it over with and fully embrace socialized medicine. Why be happy with halfway.

[Kirkwood]

Appointments are there for your convenience so you can walk in and be seen in 5 pr 10 minutes and you don’t waste an entire day waiting to be seem by someone you don’t even know.

You normally make your appointment for your next annual checkup at the time of the checkup. In other words 12 months ahead if your doc says you are on a 12 month schedule. Once you are in the system you can be seen usually within 48 hours and most docs will get you a script immediately over the phone or by texting if that is all you need.

Heck, I have to schedule my car service 6 weeks ahead of time, and it is much more of a hassle than scheduling any of my doctors.

[Vendome]

You got Railroaded....

[eyeamok]

Tell them you are paying cash and no insurance and they will see you today....

I was just going to say the same thing

I pay Cash to see my doctor, and he will see me on a Moments Notice, even at his home if necessary.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Urgent care centers have made the family doctor pretty much an after thought for anything beyond a routine checkup or shots around here - walk in the front door, sign up, get seen within an hour or so, sometimes sooner - have x-rays and basic lab services on-site - UTI’s, flu, bad headaches, just about anything that you can call urgent gets you seen - best thing to happen to medicine since penicillin.....

[floozy22]

We have several urgent care centers around. There’s one I go to and they do a great job. There are a few instances where protocol says you have to see family Dr. Otherwise I’d go to urgent care every time for non-specialist stuff.