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[C.Ann]

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[Kermit]

My insurance companies have never cared how many things I was going to the doctor for. I think they prefer it if you do lots of things at once because it usually ends up costing them less.

 

[C.Ann]

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[wdwmom2]

I don't think that the insurance companies have any problem with the doc taking care of multiple problems at one visit. Our practice deals with multiple problems in 1 visit all the time. The only thing different would be in the billing, it would be a higher level visit(read, more expensive!). What insurance companies will not pay for is more than 1 visit a day for the same problem. Hope this helps!!!

 

[Christine]

C. Ann,
That might be the operating procedure for a specific office, but it is certainly not an insurance thing.

But, I do think that when you call to make an appointment and you want to discuss several things, it's best to tell the person who is making your appointment so they can book more time, if need be.

 

[C.Ann]

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[wdwmom2]

But, I do think that when you call to make an appointment and you want to discuss several things, it's best to tell the person who is making your appointment so they can book more time, if need be.

This is actually a great piece of advice. I work in a pedi practice and some of the parents know what to say to get their foot in the door and get a sick appointment the same day. Then when they arrive they have a whole list of problems that are VERY time consuming, not urgent, and really needed a larger block of time. So now, here are the docs, running behind because the parents were not totally honest about what they are bringing their child in for. The patients scheduled after this are now getting impatient because the doc is running behind. If the "new" list of complaints are not urgent, and are very time consuming, the docs often will discuss what the origional problem is and have the parents schedule another appt on another day with the appropriate amount of time for the "new" problems.

Ann, sorry to hijack. I know your intentions are just a few shots, it shouldn't be a big deal. At least it wouldn't be in our office. But maybe you should call and mention it to them, that way they can't say that they weren't prepared.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Call them and let them know you'd like the shots. Seems around here there isn't a "shortage," but some docs' offices ran out of shots. Some having a problem "guesstimating" how much to order after last year's shortage. Others who didn't receive the second half of their shipment. Even darling son's pediatrician's office said they haven't received all that they ordered back in JANUARY 2005 for this season! I know one doc who says his patients need to call first to see if they have enough.

P.S. Darling son's pediatrician is still vaccinating just high risk kids. The others are still waiting. If you're high risk for any reason, let them know that!

 

[DMRick]

We went in a few weeks ago for physicals, and had to make appointments for the 12th for our flu shots. She said if we had mentioned it when we made appointments, they would have saved enough for us, but since we didn't and they were short, we had to wait (which was just as well, as I ended up with a horrible cold the very next day, and if I had gotten a flu shot, I would have blamed it on that LOL!).
Also, our insurance company pays for certain things on a visit with no copay, but as soon as we ask another question, it becomes a regular visit and the co pay comes out.

 

[froglady]

Trust me, your doctor will appreciate a heads up on ALL issues you wish to discuss. The "while I'm here" patients can wreck havoc with the most organized doctor's office. It takes time to get shots ready, adminster them, give you instructions, check to make sure there is no reason you CAN'T get it, etc. With all of the clinics at drugstores, supermarkets, etc. many patients get flu shots from other sources. DM got hers at her retirement center, but I would have called her doctor to arrange it if she hadn't.

I manage DM's care, and I found that there are things I can do to make things run easier.
1. Make a list of complaints that are not an emergency, but need to be addressed. DM is seen quarterly, so it's not that much of an issue. She also is out of her HMO, so we don't have to deal with referrals anymore.

2. Renew ALL prescriptions at the same time, for enough refills to go BEYOND the next appointment by a few weeks. Even though some end up expiring before they're renewed, we never run out.