PCP Changing Location

[WEDWDW]

Your PCP who you LOVE is moving from an office 5 miles from your house to an office 50 miles from your house.

Do you stay with your current PCP or transfer care to another PCP in the office 5 miles away?

 

[DisneyHardin]

I would probably change to another in the closer office. Almost an hour away will make it a half day ordeal to go to a doctors appointment.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would change UNLESS I normally happen to be going to that location (ie: work in that town).

 

[soccerdad72]

Our PCP did move locations, but it went from like 4 miles to 12 miles, so while it is farther, it's not that bad. I don't know if I would stay with my PCP if he was 50 miles away.

 

[Southernmiss]

DH changed doctors because of this recently with his cardiologist.

Found that he likes the new guy a lot better. Previous doctor let him ride on medications for a few years that the new guy said are not working. We shall see if the new meds work better.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Transfer.

 

[barb969]

50 miles is too far, especially if you are sick.

 

[AndreaDM]

I had this same situation except I was the one who moved 40+ miles away. I still worked near my PCP for a number of years so it wasn't a big deal to keep going there. However, I now work very close to home and have been resistant in finding a new one. I'm 52 and was going to that office since I was a child, they have all my records, know my family, it's a tough call. I have no advice, just saying I understand. But, at least if you switch to a new one in that office, you'll still be close, the support staff knows you and they have all your records. A lot easier than starting completely over!

 

[tvguy]

50 miles would be too far for me to continue with a PCP. That is assuming there are other PCP in your area taking new patients. And I can't imagine why a Doctor would move his practice that far from his patients.

 

[anniemae]

I would probably switch to someone closer. Thats almost two hours of driving, plus time waiting if the dr. is running late, plus the time the appt. takes. Not too bad for a yearly physical, but when you are sick and seeking a same day appt, I would think it's too much.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I agree with what @anniemae said. Ok for routine visits, but pretty far if you are sick.

I moved about 50 miles from where I had lived the first 35 years of my life. I kept all the same doctors at first. After I always had to wait at PCP's office, I changed to one closer. Kept the same dentist until he retired then switched to closer. Have been going to same OB/GYN for close to 40 years now. I moved while pregnant so stayed with him for the birth. Now only see him once a year so I just keep going because I really like and trust him.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If I like my PCP a lot (I do), I would stay with him. Over the years, I have cut several loose on my own.

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks for the replies.

Still on the fence!lol

If he wasn't such an AMAZING,ABOVE AND BEYOND caregiver,the decision would so easy.

 

[trip]

I'd transfer to someone closer. I recently found out my PCP is retiring next year and one of the doctors he suggested to me is a *gasp* geriatrician. I am 73 but don't feel old enough for that.

 

[mmbrad02]

How often do you actually see your PCP? I love mine, and have chronic medical conditions (Type 1 Diabetes, anxiety, beginning chronic kidney disease) but as for my PCP - I don't see her that often. (I see specialists for everything). So far me, I see her once a year for a work required physical (that's when I get standard meds refilled), I saw her once when I was having repeated headaches, etc. If I am sick like with strep or something, I usually end up at a UTC because its usually after normal dr's hours.

I said all that to say - I would probably keep mine at least initially. Give yourself time to ask around for GOOD recommendations on someone to potentially switch to, etc. But if you end up at the dr frequently, that's a long drive!

 

[Silver saucer]

If you aren't in their office that often it might work but it would be highly inconvenient if you were sick. Also depends on the type of drive 50 miles would be for you and the weather you could encounter, etc.
If you like them that much give following them a try. You could always switch later if it became a headache.

 

[EACarlson]

I did it, followed my PCP through two different moves, went from a mile and a half to 10 miles to 30 miles. Stayed with him until I moved out of state. No matter how much I liked him I wasn't driving 250 miles for him.

 

[design_mom]

I agree to transfer. 50 miles is a long way.

Our dentist moved 30 miles away and we stuck with her, but it was a pain... and the main reason I did that was because it's "only twice a year." She recently retired and we switched to a closer dentist and I wish we had done it years ago. (I liked our old dentist a lot, but...) Fifty miles would have been way too far... especially if you were sick.

 

[GreatLakes]

I see my PCP once a year, twice if it is a bad year. If it was a PCP I liked 50 miles is nothing.

 

[JLemaire7]

50 miles would be too far for me to continue with a PCP. That is assuming there are other PCP in your area taking new patients. And I can't imagine why a Doctor would move his practice that far from his patients.

I don’t know the whole story but it’s possible that the doctor had a non-compete that required him to move away/practice a certain number of miles away if he left his current practice.