Switching primary care doctors

Nathan Smith12 said:If they say they’re full, then they’re full... I don't see why you'd put quotes around that. They get paid per patient; unless they are genuinely drowning in work, they aren't just turning people away for fun.🙄

Just find someone else.

The quotes are there because I haven't met a single doctor who isn't overloaded. And when you actually know someone, you get in immediately through a connection. Same thing with these doctors I'm looking at. A friend of mine just transferred her brother and sister-in-law over without any issues—simply because she's a nurse at another clinic. I've heard the exact same thing about at least five or six other OBGYNs and dentists.

Look, it’s whatever. You can't force them to take you if they've already made up their minds. Just move on and find someone else...

I mean, what other choice do you really have besides keeping the search going?
As for the gynecologist—I know they’re constantly taking new patients over at the Dugave Housing Authority—and as for the dentist, there's actually space available at the Maksimir Housing Authority on Hirsch Street. Just saying—I happen to know that much—so it's not like every single clinic is completely maxed out...

Alright, I guess I'll keep looking.
My dentist and OBGYN are solid. I can handle trekking across town to see them once or twice a year if I have to. 🙂
But finding a decent GP is the real headache...
Whatever, thanks anyway.🙂

I’m trying to switch dentists, but I’m stuck because it hasn't even been a year since I picked this guy. And let me tell you—this guy is a total disaster. Out of three fillings he did, two are throbbing with pain, and the third one is basically necrotic. I went to see a new doctor, but they told me the only way I can switch providers is if there's a "breakdown in the patient-provider relationship." Look, I haven't had a blowout fight with the man, but I am absolutely not letting him near my mouth again. Now they're telling me I have to submit some kind of formal statement detailing exactly how the relationship has broken down. I really don't want to write that he's incompetent at his job—apparently, they’ll ask him for his side of the story too, and I don't want to start unnecessary drama or get him in trouble. Has anyone dealt with this before? Does anyone know what one of these statements should actually look like?

Linda Kim3 said:I’m trying to switch dentists, but I’m stuck because it hasn't even been a year since I picked this guy. And let me tell you—this guy is a total disaster. Out of three fillings he did, two are throbbing with pain, and the third one is basically necrotic. I went to see a new doctor, but they told me the only way I can switch providers is if there's a "breakdown in the patient-provider relationship." Look, I haven't had a blowout fight with the man, but I am absolutely not letting him near my mouth again. Now they're telling me I have to submit some kind of formal statement detailing exactly how the relationship has broken down. I really don't want to write that he's incompetent at his job—apparently, they’ll ask him for his side of the story too, and I don't want to start unnecessary drama or get him in trouble. Has anyone dealt with this before? Does anyone know what one of these statements should actually look like?

The dentist you wish to see holds the necessary paperwork... within those standard regulatory points (I can't recall the exact numbering), there is a provision for changing doctors within a year. You would submit that statement along with your request to the local Social Security Administration office, and then an auditor decides if the switch is justified. I'm not sure how much longer you have to wait until that one-year mark hits, at which point the process becomes much simpler.

btw
don't pin the broken teeth solely on the dentist.
You should have been proactive about dental hygiene earlier, rather than waiting for a crisis to occur and expecting a magic fix now.

I’ve had to switch doctors a few times because of moving, and I’ve never run into any issues... but you're telling me you actually have to state that you're relocating? 😂 I honestly assumed that rule was a thing of the past, especially since those physician selection forms always list reasons like being dissatisfied with your current doctor. I figured you just circled a reason and moved on to your new choice, but seriously, we pay such massive amounts in healthcare premiums out of our paychecks—is it really fair to be stuck with subpar service when we're paying top dollar?

As far as I can tell, you can just drop in to see a dentist whenever you feel like it.😕
I’m actually registered with two different dentists right now, and neither one has ever bothered asking me for any kind of paperwork—that was only an issue for me back when I was switching out my primary care physician.

I just switched to a new doctor, and she handed me this printed form from the forum that I need to get verified at some local health department office. I’m assuming it’s based on where I live?

What am I supposed to do about my old doctor? Do I actually have to trek over there, grab my physical medical file, and lug it all the way to the new clinic?
Or does that even matter anymore now that everything is integrated into these computerized systems?😕

Honestly, those paper files probably just end up in a dumpster anyway, so why bother going back for them? 🤷
And frankly, I really don't feel like dealing with my old doctor—sitting in a waiting room for three hours just to argue with her and explain myself. Is there any way to just skip that whole headache?

Paul Morales3 said:I just switched to a new doctor, and she handed me this printed form from the forum that I need to get verified at some local health department office. I’m assuming it’s based on where I live?

What am I supposed to do about my old doctor? Do I actually have to trek over there, grab my physical medical file, and lug it all the way to the new clinic?
Or does that even matter anymore now that everything is integrated into these computerized systems?😕

Honestly, those paper files probably just end up in a dumpster anyway, so why bother going back for them? 🤷
And frankly, I really don't feel like dealing with my old doctor—sitting in a waiting room for three hours just to argue with her and explain myself. Is there any way to just skip that whole headache?

Just get that paperwork validated at the county office. Once they stamp it, you take it back to the new doctor and you're done. They handle the rest of the bureaucracy.😉

Scott Howard74 said:Just get that paperwork validated at the county office. Once they stamp it, you take it back to the new doctor and you're done. They handle the rest of the bureaucracy.😉

Great! 👋

But here's the catch—since I picked this new doctor on a whim because she seemed nice, I didn't really stop to consider the commute, and now she lives way across town from where I actually live. If I decide in a year or two that I want to switch to someone closer to home, am I actually allowed to do that?

😉

Paul Morales3 said:Great! 👋

But here's the catch—since I picked this new doctor on a whim because she seemed nice, I didn't really stop to consider the commute, and now she lives way across town from where I actually live. If I decide in a year or two that I want to switch to someone closer to home, am I actually allowed to do that?

Look, you’ve got the right to switch after a year, but let’s be real—if trekking all the way back to her office after six months sounds like a total nightmare, just find a new doctor. Seriously. Just hunt down someone else, tell them straight up why you’re jumping ship, and call it a day. You’ll have to fill out some paperwork at the clinic explaining why you aren't happy with the current setup, but once that's done? No drama. Zero issues. Easy.😉

Luckily, I don't get sick enough to make it a regular thing, so I don't see myself switching doctors anytime soon. 🙂 Still, there's a certain comfort in knowing the option is there—say, once I land a new job and actually need some sick leave coverage, because let's face it, when my period hits, I'm out of commission on day one and good for nothing else...

Paul Morales3 said:Luckily, I don't get sick enough to make it a regular thing, so I don't see myself switching doctors anytime soon. 🙂 Still, there's a certain comfort in knowing the option is there—say, once I land a new job and actually need some sick leave coverage, because let's face it, when my period hits, I'm out of commission on day one and good for nothing else...

Look, my advice? If you're dealing with that kind of mess, just take a pill and deal with it. You really don't want to build a reputation for calling out of work every single month because of your cycle.🤷

Fine. 😁
But I’ve still got plenty of time before my shift starts—I’m just a freshman in college, after all...

👍👍

Paul Morales3 said:Fine. 😁
But I’ve still got plenty of time before my shift starts—I’m just a freshman in college, after all...

just enjoy it while it lasts, kid🙏🙏🙏

I’m trying. 😉
Based on my age, I really should be halfway through my junior year of college by now. 😬

Personally, I find it somewhat regrettable that we aren't permitted to receive our own files just to look through them. I suppose one might wonder if I even have the right to view my own record at all. 😢

shadowtrucker18 said:Personally, I find it somewhat regrettable that we aren't permitted to receive our own files just to look through them. I suppose one might wonder if I even have the right to view my own record at all. 😢

Look, you can either swing by in person to grab it, or they'll just mail it straight to your house.

shadowtrucker18 said:Personally, I find it somewhat regrettable that we aren't permitted to receive our own files just to look through them. I suppose one might wonder if I even have the right to view my own record at all. 😢

Let's be real—you probably wouldn't even be able to decipher those doctor scribbles that look more like the handwriting of someone who barely finished third grade anyway.😁