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FRiend

A word to the wise: find an Internist, pay whatever copay/$ you need to pay for the first visit so that you have a chart in the office, and he has all of your medical info.

Why? I speak as a true old-fashioned primary care Internist: There won’t be good, competent AMERICAN doctors taking much in the way of insurance plans (absolutely tied to Medicare fees) within 5-10 years, on the current course. Even if you are intrinsically healthy, you will need certain screening procedure at certain ages. Regardless, we already have a dearth of primary care docs in the US, and all indicators are that it is going to get much worse. I promise you, even if you don’t like going to the doctor (and don’t), you should do it as an investment. Not just health, but $$$: Healthcare is going to get more expensive, and much of the cost will be borne by those that do not have a “medical home.”

Primary care docs love to have healthy people who are aware of the value of services. They will accommodate patients that they like — same day (emergent) visits, referrals, etc. Hell, they’ll even negotiate the expenses, if you are in a pinch for whatever reason. You don’t know how many times I say in a week upon receiving a phone message from a patient, “Oh yeah, that guy. He doesn’t bust my nuts, takes care of himself, and is responsible. Let’s help him out ASAP.” Conversely,I don’t care if you pay me in gold bullion: If you are a Troll/Troglodyte who specializes in making everyone around you miserable, or are irresponsible about medications/appointment, you’ll get “next available.”

Any doc who says differently is lying to himself or is a fool. Any potential patient out there who doesn’t at least weigh what I am saying here... well, let’s just say, your in for an eye-opener on down the road, as you’ve already segregated yourself.