How long do you have to wait for an appointment with your doctor?

[BWVDenise]

I just tried to get an appointment and they told me they are booking into APRIL! I'm having a sinus problem, possibly an infection and I don't think it can wait until April! I must say, though, that I really love my doctor and couldn't stand the thought of going to anyone else-- but APRIL! Sheesh!

 

[Mermaid02]

You're sick and they want you to wait until APRIL??? That's crazy. Fire him.

 

[shep]

If i was sick they'd probaly squeeze me in sometime today or tomorrow, but who knows how long i'd have to wait when I got there..

 

[Beanie]

We are the same as Shep, if I needed to be seen, they would try to fit me in today or tomorrow...same thing with my kids Pediatrician...

 

[cgcw]

Mine too. The pediatrician too. I wouldn't wait a month to be seen....not for a sick visit. A well visit I can understand, but not when I feel I need to be seen.

Once a doctor told my mom to come in 10 days after she called to tell them she thought she had a blood clot in her leg because of the swelling and pain. When my mom told me, I called the doctor's office back to get her a quicker appointment. I remember it was a Friday AM before one of the 3 day weekends. They told me the best they would be able to do was Tuesday after the Monday holiday. When I asked them if they would take responsibility for putting her off until then if she had another stroke, "suddenly" the had an opening. Sure enough, my mom had a clot and ended up having an emergency surgical procedure to put a screen in her leg to prevent the clot from traveling upwards. Sometimes, doctors receptionists do not know what's best for the patients.

I would call back and tell them you need to be seen sooner. Or, I'd go to a treatment center and ask them for an authorization if your insurance requires one. Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[FOJMO]

Do you have a doctor with a private practice? Most doctors nowadays have physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, or share their practice with several other doctors. That way, you can always get to see SOMEONE, even if it's not your particular doctor. That's crazy to have to wait!

 

[loisg1]

Sick visit would be scheduled today. However, they know me and if I called complaining of a sinus infection, they would call in an antibiotic. About a month ago when I was in A-fib, they told me to go directly to the ER. And yes, I have an HMO.

 

[Jeafl]

My doctor's office always holds a couple of appointments for last-minute sick patients, so it's usually same day.

 

[ChibiJones]

That's the reason I switched doctors a few years ago. I've had good luck with my current doctor, usually the next day. The old place I went to was awful. I have called at 4pm & gotten morning appointments for the next day.

For example, I had what I later learned was eczema on my hands. I just thought they were really dry. If I crumpled paper, it felt like I was getting sliced open. I called on Monday, left a message for my doctor. Same with Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. The receptionist didn't bother to tell me I missed her on Monday, she was out on Tuesday, etc. By Thursday, I was told, well you could just call Dermatology. So I did that, they wouldn't take me for 3 months without a referral from my PCP. I called my PCP back & started yelling at the idiot who answered the phone. Low & behold, she finds a PA to call me back who gets me an appt. with my Dr. the next day. My Dr. saw me for all of 5 seconds & gave me a prescription. I went through an extra week of pain because of them.

I liked my old doctor. She was nice & I felt comfortable with her, but I'm happier with my new doctor because I can get in to see her if I need to & the staff seems much more on-the-ball.

 

[Steve H.]

I'm a bit spoiled -- we're personal friends with our family doc, so we call him at home when we have problems and if it's something he doesn't need to see us for, he'll call in a prescription, otherwise, he finds a way to squeeze us in.

 

[Blondie]

The wait is usually about 2 weeks...which doesn't help a sick person out when they need antibiotics now does it!

Ofcourse, you can always book with a nurse practitioner, or one of the other doctors in a different office (but still within the same practice.)

I really like my PCP, we both have Weimaraners, and can sit and chit-chat for quite a while......but I haven't been able to see him in almost two years, I've always have to book with the N.P.!

 

[CindyKansas]

If we call in the morning we can usually get in the same day. With our current insurance we have to see the doctor and not a PA or RN or the insurance will not pay.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Our doctor only works part-time since having her kids. We love her, so we don't want to change. So far, if we end up sick on a day she's working, she gets us in. If it's a "scheduled" appt. like a check-up, we might have to wait a month.

If she's not working & we need a doc, we head off to our hospital's Urgent Care center. For ins. purposes, it's treated like a regular dr. visit rather than an ER visit.

 

[Rajah]

Yikes!!! I called today since I'm feeling under the weather, I could either go in and wait for a squeeze-in appointment, or have one tomorrow. I got one for tomorrow.

I do have some specialists that you have to book a month in advance, but if you have a real *problem*, they'll squeeze you in.