so i got a robocall from my doctor's office today...

[Sabien]

...reminding me that its been nearly 2 years since I've been in for a routine checkup. I returned their call to schedule an appointment. Their next opening is six weeks from now.

Nice counterpoint to those who say that there's no waiting to see a doctor in the USA.

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. I recently switched doctors....

Because my previous one had a year-long wait for an appointment!

When I first contacted my new doctor back in April, I only had to wait 4 days to see her.

[MrModerate]

2. It also highlights that some procedures -- while vitally important . . .

Don't have to happen today and, in fact, making it possible to offer them "today" is extremely wasteful.

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. Just use the ER. It's only about 6 HOURS wait. & bonus! It's free! n/t

[aquart]

4. Not really.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. Do ER's do routine check-up's? n/t

[zbdent]

9. I remember the mantra of the Repugs was that

uninsured people being allowed to use the ER for health care, and it was wasting taxpayer $$$ ... AND driving up the costs of health care, so doing so was why it was so costly to insure everybody ...

and the E.R. doesn't have the faculties to check to see if the patient is an illegal alien, another whine of the GOP ... that taxpayer $$$ goes to illegal immigrants ...

[zbdent]

6. I've pointed out my story here a few times already ...

Mrs. ZBDent had her usual mammogram ...

Doctor, who never calls unless there's something going on, calls our house and leaves a message, telling Mrs. Z to call. Not the receptionist, THE DOCTOR.

Mrs. Z calls the next day, finds out that there was something they found on the mammogram that they need to get a better look at (deeper biopsy), needs to schedule as soon as she can.

Mrs. Z calls to schedule the appointment for the procedure that had the Dr. concerned ...

They schedule her for the procedure ... a MONTH away ...

and this is with a GOOD plan from Kaiser ...

edited to add:

as suspected, it was not anything to be concerned over, but it freaked Mrs. ZBDent out for that month ...

[auntsue]

7. I found a lump

in my breast a few years ago.

It was in April. I called my "primary care physician" (PCP) for and app't. Four weeks later she examined it and said "you have a lump, you need a mammogram." This was am HMO the only option my employer provided.

I knew when I found the lump what was needed - it's not the first lump I've found in the same place. She provided a referral for a mammogram. Only 4 weeks later I had approval for the test and a couple more til I got the test. Where upon they decided I needed a ultrasound and chest x-ray. More waiting for approval and appointments.

Finally I had to go back to the PCP (another co-pay) so she could tell me that I needed a biopsy - I knew that the day I found the lump. So I get approval for the biopsy and wait for the appointment. I thought he'd do a needle biopsy in his office (as I had experienced before (different state different docs).

No he just examined me and said "you need a biopsy". I looked him in the eyes and said "Ya think!". So he submits the paperwork to get approval and there's a snag of some sort. The clerk-woman at the insurance co. is on the phone and tells me it will be four weeks at least until they can "get to" making it happen. I asked to speak to a supervisor.

It was the middle of August.

I was in tears I asked the guy "do you have a mom, wife, sister, daughter ? Well if she found a lump it April wouldn't you think she should have an answer by now? What if I have a cancer that's been growing all this time?? He asked for my number and called about 20 minutes later. I had the biopsy a week later and it was not cancer (long story) but DAMN what an ordeal!

My mom had medicare with an AARP supplement. When she found a lump she went to see her primary doctor. He sent her across the street to the hospital for a mammogram and she had a needle biopsy the next day. Two days after that she was on a plane for a vacation.

WHICH program is the most cost effective? ?

[pipi_k]

8. How about five months...

Mr Pip went to see an orthopedic surgeon in March about having a knee replacement.

They gave him a couple of cortisone shots and an appointment for more shots in May with yet another appointment for the actual surgical consult in August.

In the meantime he decided he didn't want to see that particular surgeon so he canceled and got an appointment with a different doctor.

But anyway, yeah....five whole months just for a consultation.

:eyes: