It really irks me when doctors don't accept new patients

[Pigeon]

I live in the northeast, in a reasonably populated area, and it is impossible to find a dermatologist who will take new patients. I am a cancer survivor and had a skin lesion that my oncologist and primary doc both thought should be seen by a dermatologist. No such luck.

I think they are all too busy shooting people full of botox to practice medicine.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Im dont mind when a doctor doesnt accept new patients. To me it means that they value their patients time and do not over book. That being said, my husbands PCP doesnt accept new patients ( others in his practice do), unless the new patient is a spouse or child of a current patient. When Scott and I got married his PCP accepted me and then my kids into his practice. We typically see the CRNP though. Never really have to wait in the office. I travel 45 mins to an hour for most specialists.

 

[Mermaid02]

There are legal limits. A doctor just can't have a bazillion patients.

 

[phorsenuf]

The thing that gets me is that there's 3 doctors in this office that do the same thing.

If they are full, they are full.

I'm about 1 hour from a larger city. That was my next step but it's frustrating since I have 1 in my town and I'll have to drive an hour to see someone which means more time off work.

Technically if they aren't accepting patients then you don't have any in town.

How would you feel if you were on the other end though. You were an existing patient and wanted to get in but they were too booked because they have too many patients. I'm sure you wouldn't be too happy about that.

 

[bumbershoot]

I live in the northeast, in a reasonably populated area, and it is impossible to find a dermatologist who will take new patients. I am a cancer survivor and had a skin lesion that my oncologist and primary doc both thought should be seen by a dermatologist. No such luck.

I think they are all too busy shooting people full of botox to practice medicine.

Ooh that's not good. Come out to WA, I have a really good derm I'll refer you to who doesn't do those enhancements.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had this happen with my 5 month old infant son in 2007. My DH switched employers and we were with a beloved practice that was only for employees of the company he was leaving. So at 5 months, the hunt for a ped was met with much rejection.

If they weren't having any new patients--that is one thing. But they get new patients all the time. Had he been a newborn...NO PROBLEM!!! But at 5 months, he was simply too old for them to take on as a new patient. (yes, that is what they said!)

The ped we ended up with--was one who would take him after many rejections.

The whole thing disgusted me.

The good news--my older children woudl have been accepted by all those docs who rejected my son.

 

[damone]

I wanted to try and see a ENT and the earliest I can get in to see anyone is June.

 

[pooh4evr]

Dh is a PCP he take new patients but only (I think) on Friday afternoons (he has a few appts saved just for new ones) I think his receptionist said they were booking new ones out to Sept. now. - his current patient load is about 4500 - which is really pushing it -he is in a multi specialty group and I think all 4 of the PCP's are pretty full. He also has a Nurse Pract- who sees people ona more immediate basis if his schedule is full. It is just going to get worse as far as PCPs are concerned there are too few with too many patients (with or without HC reform) - I see many leaving private practices to go to be hospitalists. Good Luck!