Looking for a specialist...

Nicholas Wells74 said:Why not? I actually chose an endocrinologist at Rib—Tanja Škorić—who specialized in endocrinology over in Manchester but decided not to stay there, choosing instead to return home to the States. At Vinogradski, they seem to swap out endocrinologists as often as you change a disposable razor, so I’m looking to move on from them. I’ve been seeing them my entire life, and I’m already 43.

You just go to your general practitioner. If you’ve already been seeing a specialist but want to switch to a different hospital, you really need to emphasize that if you want them to issue a valid referral—assuming you aren't already right here in Washington, D.C. Honestly, navigating the paperwork for a referral is such a headache that it’s usually better to just ask for a new referral from the start.

Once you find out which email address handles appointments, you just attach your referral to the email. Include your full name, address, contact info, and specify which doctor you’re hoping to see—that’s pretty much the whole process.

I'm hoping they'll keep taking me at Rib under Dr. Škorić. Otherwise, this is just going to be another case of being caught between a rock and a hard place—moving from one frustration to another, then back again. Regardless, it’s worth a shot.

So, you can actually switch doctors right in the middle of treatment? Great. If only I had known that sooner...

You say it's worth a shot—does anyone actually know if that is a legal right?

I'm looking for a recommendation for a private gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C.

David Flores68 said:You say it’s worth a shot, but does anyone actually know if that is strictly within the law?

Why not? An old medical professional who practiced here until just a few years ago once told me that if I truly wanted to—and if it made sense for me—I could travel all the way from the Midwest to San Francisco to see a specific doctor. Every patient covered by Medicare has the right to visit whichever hospital they choose within the United States. There might be a handful of institutions that serve as exceptions, but don't exceptions simply serve to prove the rule?

Look, you’re totally free to head into whichever medical facility you want here in the States, provided there’s actually a clinical reason for it and they have the capacity to take you on.

The real headache is dealing with the travel reimbursement—Medicare has these incredibly bizarre criteria that just don't make sense.

For instance, let's say you had surgery at a hospital far away from where you live.
Naturally, you’ll need a follow-up appointment with the specialist who performed the procedure.
But then Medicare will actually approve a travel claim for an exam at some other facility that technically offers the exact same service, even if that place is way closer to your house than the one where you actually had the surgery.

You certainly have the right to choose your medical facility, but whether you have the legal standing to demand a specific physician—that’s a different question entirely.

It feels like an impossible task trying to find a general practitioner here in Washington, D.C., because everywhere I turn, people just tell me they aren't taking any new patients...

David Flores68 said:Look, you’ve definitely got the right to pick the facility, but whether you can demand a specific doctor is a whole different story.

You actually do have that right.

But just keep in mind, if you go that route, you're also signing up for a waiting list that might feel like forever. 🍿

velvetmoose9 said:You make a fair point.

But you also have to deal with the reality of a waiting list—which, let's be honest, can get pretty long if you go that route. 🍿

That’s interesting; I had no idea you actually had a say in which doctor you see. Thanks for the heads-up!

I'm looking for an ophthalmologist or an eye specialist in Seattle, but please—just anyone except Dr. M. Novak at the lens clinic. It doesn't matter if it's private practice or covered by Medicare.

Does anyone know a decent dermatologist in Washington, D.C.?
I’m dealing with these non-specific keloids that just won't budge, and honestly, they're becoming such a nuisance... I've already cycled through several surgeons and dermatologists, but nobody seems to have a real answer or a way to fix them. It doesn't matter if it's a private practice, I just need someone who actually knows what they're doing and can find a solution, because surgery isn't really an option for removing this mess since there's such a high chance they'll just come right back.

Has anyone here had any experience with Dr. Vesna Tabak, the general practitioner based in Washington, D.C., over on Aleksandar Bresćenski Street?

I am on the lookout for a reliable ophthalmologist, ideally someone who accepts Medicare, located in Washington, D.C. (though I’d prefer somewhere on the West Side, I really don't mind if I have to travel a bit further afield). About a year ago, I dealt with a rather nasty case of inflammation in my upper eyelid, and even after finishing my treatment with my family doctor, I was left with this tiny, stubborn little lump right in the lid. Lately, it feels like it's either growing larger or a second one has popped up, and they are both becoming quite uncomfortable and irritating. I definitely need a thorough examination, as I'm fully aware that I'll likely need a minor surgical procedure to get them cleared out once and for all.

I'm on the hunt for a solid general practitioner in New York City. I assume the most critical factor is which hospital system they’re affiliated with—basically, which specialists they end up sending you to for follow-up exams?

Brenda Cruz84 said:I am looking for a reliable ophthalmologist, ideally one who accepts Medicare, located in Washington, D.C. (preferably on the West Side, though I don't mind traveling further). About a year ago, I dealt with a nasty infection of the upper eyelid. After being treated by my primary care physician, a small, hard lump remained in the eyelid. Now, it has either grown larger or a second one has appeared, and both are causing significant discomfort. I need a full examination, and I am fully aware that I will likely require a minor surgical procedure to have them removed.

Yes, those types of issues are typically resolved surgically if they become bothersome or keep recurring. However, regardless of which ophthalmologist you visit for the initial exam, the actual surgery is performed by whichever doctor is scheduled for duty in the operating room that day. During my experience at Rib, I was examined by a doctor who worked exclusively in the outpatient clinic, while the eyelid surgery itself was performed by a resident who happened to be on call in the OR that day.

Grace Davis77 said:Exactly, those kinds of logistical details usually get handled on an operational level if they truly become a nuisance or start happening repeatedly, but regardless of which ophthalmologist you actually see for your initial exam, the surgery itself is performed by whichever doctor is scheduled for duty in the operating room that day. In my own experience at the Mayo Clinic, I was examined by a doctor who worked exclusively in the outpatient clinic, yet it ended up being a resident performing the actual procedure since they were the one assigned to the OR that day.

I was wondering if anyone could dive a little deeper into the specifics of the surgery itself? If this feels too off-topic for the main thread, please feel free to send me a private message instead, but I’m curious about whether they use local or general anesthesia, what the whole process actually looks like, how long the procedure takes, and how long the recovery period is? Honestly, the thought of a scalpel being used so close to my eye makes me a bit uneasy, but since it's been bothering me quite a bit lately, I've decided I really need to go ahead and get it sorted out.

Brenda Cruz84 said:Is there any more specific information regarding the surgery itself? If this is considered off-topic, feel free to send a private message. I am wondering if it is performed under local or general anesthesia, what the procedure actually entails, how long the operation takes, and what the recovery period looks like. The idea of a scalpel being used so close to my eye is quite unsettling, but the discomfort has become too much to ignore, so I intend to get it resolved.

The anesthesia used was local, so you don't feel a thing—not even the initial injection or the eyelid cleaning. My doctor was excellent; he explained every step of the process as he worked. My eyelid was inverted and extra secured during the procedure. Honestly, I barely had time to process the potential implications because the examination was so thorough and efficient that they moved me straight to the operating room, which happened to be available that very day.
There was a significant amount of bleeding, so the staff had to change my gauze twice. They applied antibiotic ointment and drops, then closed the eye. By the following day, I was already heading back to the clinic for a follow-up appointment.
The recovery process was somewhat slow. Even after several weeks, my eyelid remained slightly swollen, and I dealt with recurring inflammation. I was told there was a possibility I might have picked up a bacterial infection during the process.
Ultimately, things settled down, but since the eyelid inflammation kept returning, a similar bump formed on my lower lid as well. That said, I wouldn't go through the removal process again unless absolutely necessary.

Grace Davis77 said:The anesthesia was just local, so I didn't feel a thing—not even the initial prick or the cleaning of the eyelid itself. The doctor was perfectly fine; he kept talking me through everything he was doing, which was helpful, though my eyelid was turned and extra secured during the process. Honestly, I didn't even have a moment to wrap my head around potential side effects because they were so efficient at the exam; they basically whisked me straight into the operating room, which happened to be running that very day.
I did experience quite a bit of bleeding, so they had to change my gauze twice, and they applied some antibiotic ointment and drops before closing my eye. I headed back to the clinic for a follow-up the very next day.
Recovery felt a bit sluggish, to be honest. Even after a few weeks, my eyelid stayed slightly swollen, and I kept dealing with these bouts of inflammation, which led them to suggest I might have picked up some kind of bacteria...
Anyway, things eventually settled down, but those eyelid inflammations became such a recurring issue that a similar little bump formed on my lower lid too. I wouldn't go out of my way to have it removed unless it really started bothering me.
I hope this helps!

Yes, thank you so much! 🙂 I rarely deal with inflammation, but that first episode was so intense it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, I’ve ended up with what I like to call these little "pebbles" in my eyelid that keep rubbing against everything. I tried to just ignore them for a while, but they’ve reached the point where they are starting to get pretty annoying.

Hey there 🙂
I'm looking for some solid recommendations for a top-tier pediatric orthopedic surgeon here in Washington, D.C.—specifically someone who performs surgery—because we're facing a very likely knee operation for my child.
Thanks so much 🙂

Does anyone have a recommendation for a solid neurologist or neurosurgeon in Washington, D.C.?
(By a good doctor, I mean someone who won't just tell me I'm making up this back pain, especially since my MRI clearly shows a disc protrusion pressing against the dural sac... Ideally, I'd like someone capable of reviewing the actual MRI scans themselves to give an independent opinion. This has been dragging on for months now, and things are getting worse—I've started having urinary issues and I can't even move properly. I'm willing to pay whatever is necessary; I simply cannot wait any longer 😢 )

Does anyone have a recommendation for an ophthalmologist in Washington, D.C., specifically one who accepts Medicare? 🙂