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

[rgf207]

I live in a small town and I need to see specialist 1 time for 1 little thing but I can't because they don't accept new patients. Why do they do this. Are they completely full from now until eternity?

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't know why but I always figured that if a Dr was not accepting new patients it was because the schedule was full. In my Dr office a new Dr is brought in at that point.

I have to be honest, I would rather that the Dr does not squeeze so many folks in that I cannot be seen in a timely manner. I seldom call any Dr but when I do I do not want to wait three weeks to get in.

 

[wdwfan16]

I live in a small town and I need to see specialist 1 time for 1 little thing but I can't because they don't accept new patients. Why do they do this. Are they completely full from now until eternity?

Did you Dr. refer you to this specialist? I have never had a specialist ever turn me down.

What kind of insurance do you have? Many Drs will turn down medicaid/medicare patients if they have a exceed a certain % of the patients.

If you only need one little thing done, find a Dr. in a farther area who can do it for you. A little drive for 1 or 2 visits is not bad.

 

[shellybaxter]

I don't know why but I always figured that if a Dr was not accepting new patients it was because the schedule was full. In my Dr office a new Dr is brought in at that point.

I have to be honest, I would rather that the Dr does not squeeze so many folks in that I cannot be seen in a timely manner. I seldom call any Dr but when I do I do not want to wait three weeks to get in.

I agree with this - I'm glad when doctors that don't have time for new patients won't see them. I live in a small town too - I always have to travel to a bigger city to see a specialist

 

[Christine]

I go to an endo who routinely turns down patients off and on. Basically, when he gets to the point that he's booking new patients 6 months out, he stops taking them. When the schedule lightens up, he opens it back up. Another doctor that I went to did the same thing.

You have to realize that if a doctor is participating with a lot of plans, MANY patients come their way. When they start getting full for the next several months, they really do have to stop. Most of the time it isn't permanent. Often they drop different insurance plans and they get a lot more free time and open the practice back up.

 

[rgf207]

Did you Dr. refer you to this specialist? I have never had a specialist ever turn me down.

What kind of insurance do you have? Many Drs will turn down medicaid/medicare patients if they have a exceed a certain % of the patients.

If you only need one little thing done, find a Dr. in a farther area who can do it for you. A little drive for 1 or 2 visits is not bad.

I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. I just called the office to schedule and they said they weren't accepting new patients. I didn't even give them any insurance info.

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

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Can it wait? Did you ask when they would be accepting new patients again?

My primary I have now finally opened up to accepting new patients and I got in.

Most doctors open/close acceptance based on their patient load.

If it is a 1 time minor thing, I would just go elsewhere.

 

[wdwfan16]

I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. I just called the office to schedule and they said they weren't accepting new patients. I didn't even give them any insurance info.

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

I see you live in MD. How far are you from a bigger city? Did you ask if they have a new patient waiting list?

Just because there are 3 Drs does not mean they are not full. Specialist can have patient with chronic problems that take up many appointments.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I don't know why but I always figured that if a Dr was not accepting new patients it was because the schedule was full. In my Dr office a new Dr is brought in at that point.

I have to be honest, I would rather that the Dr does not squeeze so many folks in that I cannot be seen in a timely manner. I seldom call any Dr but when I do I do not want to wait three weeks to get in.

I'm with you!!!

 

[lillygator]

I'd also rather dr's not accept new patients and keep the quality of care.

 

[happygirl]

I'd also rather dr's not accept new patients and keep the quality of care.

I agree. Sometimes Dr have so many patients they just can't handle them all

 

[rgf207]

Can it wait? Did you ask when they would be accepting new patients again?

My primary I have now finally opened up to accepting new patients and I got in.

Most doctors open/close acceptance based on their patient load.

If it is a 1 time minor thing, I would just go elsewhere.

yea it can wait. I'm looking around for someone else but it's difficult to find someone.

I see you live in MD. How far are you from a bigger city? Did you ask if they have a new patient waiting list?

Just because there are 3 Drs does not mean they are not full. Specialist can have patient with chronic problems that take up many appointments.

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.

 

[Christine]

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.

I have to do that with most of my doctors. I live 30 miles south of DC. We have specialists here, of course. If they are good, they are full. Most of them are not "cutting edge" or the best of their profession in this area, so I go north up into Fairfax County or DC. I've just gotten used to it that my little suburb is not a mecca for specialists.

 

[golfgal]

Did your primary care Dr recommend whatever this procedure is? If so, let that doctor know you can't get in with this specialist and they can call for you. If it is a one time deal chances are call from your dr will get you in.

 

[MomRN]

I'm having this problem with trying to find a PCP. I havethe benefit of knowing the "good" doctors around here, but none of them are accepting new pts. Now, because of my position I could certainly ask any one of them to accept me, but I want my husband and I to have the same PCP and I feel that's asking too much.

 

[iwrbnd]

Expect this to get worse, too.

 

[SandrA9810]

just cause you're used to everything being so close in a small town, doesn't mean it's any easier for those living in the city. My g'mother sees about 4 different doctors in the dallas area... And all of them are an hour's drive away, each in a different direction too. I have a great dentist on the other side of orlando, and it takes me over an hour to get there, if i'm lucky. But it's what 2 maybe 3 appts a year? Not a big deal.

Sometimes you just have to do what is necessary. Maybe some where in the city, there's some one that works a little later or maybe a saturday appt so you don't have to take as much time off.

Enjoy the drive, and maybe go some place only the city has to offer. You make it seem driving is a big deal. Living in the city, an hour is generally the case to get some where.

 

[padams]

Expect this to get worse, too.

 

[lillygator]

Expect this to get worse, too.

much worse I am afraid.

 

[Nancyg56]

much worse I am afraid.

I am also afraid that you both are right. My DH told me to stop procrastinating and get whatever is bothering me taken care of.