I am really getting fed up with our medical group. I have always loved them but I think I'm ready to switch. But I'm wondering if my expectations are too high.
How long does it typically take you to get an appointment?
If they call because they need to reschedule, how willing are they to work with your schedule?
We used to get same day appointments easily. Or if it wasn't urgent we could be seen within a couple of days. Rescheduling was always super easy.
Lately, same day appointments are non existent and they're booking 3 weeks and up to 4+ weeks out.
I have an ultrasound scheduled next week and they called to reschedule. I couldn't do the new time and said I had already arranged childcare so could they bump someone else? And they told me no. Take the new time or no new appt.
Wow, that's not okay. We cannot always get a same-day sick appointment but we usually can, if I call in the am. For sure next day. We see anyone in the group for something like that, thought, not just our main pediatrician. I do book well-childs pretty far out just b/c I do, but we haven't had problems. The few times we've had to reschedule they were super nice about it.
If the kids are sick we always get a same day appointment. If it's for a well check they usually schedule one week out. I have considered switching because their regular doctor is never there at the times that work for us, but I love everyone there and that is so easy to get an appointment.
If I have to go to the doctor it's pretty much the same as for the kids. The only problem is if someone has to go to the optometrist. Ours is always booked solid for 6+ months out.
Post by mamaalysson on Feb 25, 2016 10:47:11 GMT -5
I would be annoyed too. I have never had a doctor's office call me to reschedule. I've never had trouble getting a same day (or within a few days if not urgent) appointment, though those are usually not with our doctor, but with a resident or MA on his team. Well checks can be scheduled far in advance, and the clinic usually calls us about a month before we are due, when our doctor's schedule comes out.
Wow, that's not okay. We cannot always get a same-day sick appointment but we usually can, if I call in the am. For sure next day. We see anyone in the group for something like that, thought, not just our main pediatrician. I do book well-childs pretty far out just b/c I do, but we haven't had problems. The few times we've had to reschedule they were super nice about it.
Our group has 8 doctors and 2 PAs. When I think about that, it becomes even more unacceptable to me that we can't get in quickly. It never used to be like this! They must have a ton more patients now that more people have insurance.
The only time I was rescheduled was once with my OB (she was delivering) and once with a surgeon (he had an emergency surgery) but in both cases they accommodated me for my next desirable time.
Not unreasonable. I would switch. I think it's rude and unprofessional to over book a schedule like that and to make changes without regard to the patient's scheduling considerations. My ob once called to move my appointment up due to a scheduling error but they were very polite and said it was their mistake and they would honor the later time if I couldn't swing it. As for primary Doctor, they have openings for same day although it might be another doctor in the same group.
Post by thecheshirekat on Feb 25, 2016 13:09:58 GMT -5
I don't have a primary care doctor for myself (it's on the list of crap I need to take care of eventually) but I would never accept this from our pediatrician. We always can get a same-day sick appointment (though we very often have a VERY long wait, whether it's a sick visit or a well visit), and well visits only have to be scheduled maybe a week or two in advance. I don't love my pediatrician for a variety of reasons, but I do appreciate that it's not hard to get an appointment.
Booking out a Month or 2 for well visits is pretty normal I think. But sick visits, I'd expect same day or next. If they canceled my appointment? No way would I tolerate "this time or none."
Booking out a Month or 2 for well visits is pretty normal I think. But sick visits, I'd expect same day or next. If they canceled my appointment? No way would I tolerate "this time or none."
I didn't so much care about the wait for a well child, but only scheduling them at 8 am is ridiculous. So kids have to miss school and the parent has to take time off work for it? Our office's last appt slot is 6PM which is necessary for people who work.
I agree about the ONLY 8am being annoying but that's what I'd prefer for my school aged kids anyway. Our first appt is 9am but no restrictions that I'm aware of. If I was working I would think 8am or after 5pm would be best I guess? Depends on your hours.
Regardless; it's an arbitrary rule, I'd complain to the office manager and insist on a time that worked for me and I'd also comment on it to the doctor at my appt. That's the only way things get fixed, IME.
You mean people can call and get a DR's appointment the same day if your sick? If I call my Dr's office, it's a 6-8 week wait, regardless of your situation. If you need to see a Dr sooner than that, they tell you to travel to another town or go to emergency.
You mean people can call and get a DR's appointment the same day if your sick? If I call my Dr's office, it's a 6-8 week wait, regardless of your situation. If you need to see a Dr sooner than that, they tell you to travel to another town or go to emergency.
What? They save no spots for day of illness? Yes, when my kid is sick if I call at 9am when they open I usually get an appointment before noon. If I call after 10am it's usually after 1pm. It's happened to me three times between two kids these past two weeks.
Sending a child to the ER for the flu or an ear infection? What a waste of time (for everyone involved) and resources.
I couldn't agree with you more. It's very frustrating. In my head, the ER is there when you have bones sticking out. The whole system is a joke. This free healthcare system we have, could cost you your life. With that being said, I can't speak for other places, hopefully their system is better than what our town has.
Where we live there is not a single doctor or urgent care open on Sunday. So if you have something that isn't life threatening but probably shouldn't wait, the ER is your only option. That day I woke up and the world was spinning I didn't really have a choice.
Where we live there is not a single doctor or urgent care open on Sunday. So if you have something that isn't life threatening but probably shouldn't wait, the ER is your only option. That day I woke up and the world was spinning I didn't really have a choice.
On a weekend, yes the ER may be the only option but on a weekday when my Dr is working I fully expect to see him for an illness that can be easily treated.
Where we live there is not a single doctor or urgent care open on Sunday. So if you have something that isn't life threatening but probably shouldn't wait, the ER is your only option. That day I woke up and the world was spinning I didn't really have a choice.
In that situation I would absolutely go to ER. Our urgent cares are crap. I never use them.
Sending a child to the ER for the flu or an ear infection? What a waste of time (for everyone involved) and resources.
I couldn't agree with you more. It's very frustrating. In my head, the ER is there when you have bones sticking out. The whole system is a joke. This free healthcare system we have, could cost you your life. With that being said, I can't speak for other places, hopefully their system is better than what our town has.
While I'm pretty sure we'd have a bit of a wait to get in to our PCP/DS' pedi, there are tons of urgent care clinics across the city, with many open 24 hrs/day. It would really suck to have to go to the ER for every ear/throat infection, etc.
You mean people can call and get a DR's appointment the same day if your sick? If I call my Dr's office, it's a 6-8 week wait, regardless of your situation. If you need to see a Dr sooner than that, they tell you to travel to another town or go to emergency.
Yikes! I guess I assumed all doctor offices-my primary and ds pedi do-have same days for sick people. I am the type who only comes in for an annual physical (those do get booked out way in advance) but the rare time I need an appt it would prob be a same or next day urgent one.
If it's during the day I'd be pretty mad at getting sent to urgent care; it would be more than twice the cost. What a waste of money & resources.
Having just paid a $940 bill for DS' ER visit, I totally agree. No way would I be okay taking my kid to the ER during office hours for something that is not life threatening or horribly grotesque.
You mean people can call and get a DR's appointment the same day if your sick? If I call my Dr's office, it's a 6-8 week wait, regardless of your situation. If you need to see a Dr sooner than that, they tell you to travel to another town or go to emergency.
Yikes! I guess I assumed all doctor offices-my primary and ds pedi do-have same days for sick people. I am the type who only comes in for an annual physical (those do get booked out way in advance) but the rare time I need an appt it would prob be a same or next day urgent one.
I'm with you. I typically go to the Dr, my last visit was 3.5 years ago, (not counting the broken leg) so when you actually need a Dr and can't get in, it's so frustrating.
If it's during the day I'd be pretty mad at getting sent to urgent care; it would be more than twice the cost. What a waste of money & resources.
Having just paid a $940 bill for DS' ER visit, I totally agree. No way would I be okay taking my kid to the ER during office hours for something that is not life threatening or horribly grotesque.
Right?
2 years ago we were without power due to an ice storm and the doctor's office was closed for the same reason. So I had to go to urgent care by my parent's house, where we were staying. What would have been a $75 office visit for an ear infection was $200 at urgent care.