Pittsburgh Health Care (health insurance, employment, maintenance)

[oktaren]

Ok, so since everyone here seems to think Pittsburghs health care system is all that...

Why can't I get a doctors appointment?

I called 25 doctors offices in the last few days to try and make an appointment. Everyone I called either did not answer the phones, was not accepting new patients or couldn't get me in for a month or more?

What is a person to do? I don't need a doctors appointment in a month or so, I need one in the next couple weeks.

[Rona]

I phoned Renaissance Family Practice (they have several branches: RFP Doctors) on Monday. They gave me an appointment on the following morning. It took a long time (because they went through my past medical history pretty thoroughly and did various checks on me) and ran a little late, but the doctor and nurse were both really good.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Rona

I phoned Renaissance Family Practice (they have several branches: RFP Doctors) on Monday. They gave me an appointment on the following morning. It took a long time (because they went through my past medical history pretty thoroughly and did various checks on me) and ran a little late, but the doctor and nurse were both really good.

Wow, that is awesome, I wish I had the same luck, too bad they don't have an office near me.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by oktaren

Ok, so since everyone here seems to think Pittsburghs health care system is all that...

Why can't I get a doctors appointment?

I called 25 doctors offices in the last few days to try and make an appointment. Everyone I called either did not answer the phones, was not accepting new patients or couldn't get me in for a month or more?

What is a person to do? I don't need a doctors appointment in a month or so, I need one in the next couple weeks.

Thanks to managed health care...

Why do you need a appointment? Reason I ask -- if I need a physical, that takes a month because the doctor sets aside so many appointments a day for that and they take longer, so they book up in advance. If I need to come in for test results and new meds and other check up stuff on ongoing maintenance issues, those appointments are pretty much a week or so in advance... but if I am getting a UTI or another sort of non-emergency emergency I can get in that day -- they will work me in.

If you need to get in faster, you need to tell the receptionist why you need in faster.

[Katarina Witt]

My guess is: he is a new pt, not an established pt. It is harder if you haven't been seen at the practice before.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

My guess is: he is a new pt, not an established pt. It is harder if you haven't been seen at the practice before.

I never thought about that.... Where I work the human resources manager makes sure our health insurance choices has our doctor listed.

(This is where I say I am the human resources manager! And the CFO.. and the supplies co-ordinator and the worker... ah, self employment -- where you get to be BOTH the Queen Bee and the worker bee.)

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

My guess is: he is a new pt, not an established pt. It is harder if you haven't been seen at the practice before.

None of them seem to want a new patient, I dunno, I guess I'll just have to live without going.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Thanks to managed health care...

Why do you need a appointment? Reason I ask -- if I need a physical, that takes a month because the doctor sets aside so many appointments a day for that and they take longer, so they book up in advance. If I need to come in for test results and new meds and other check up stuff on ongoing maintenance issues, those appointments are pretty much a week or so in advance... but if I am getting a UTI or another sort of non-emergency emergency I can get in that day -- they will work me in.

If you need to get in faster, you need to tell the receptionist why you need in faster.

I am sick. I have been sick for a few weeks now. I have a lump on my throat, which I am almost positive is a swollen node, my throat just started hurting a bit and I have been extremely tired. I wish I could find a fricken doctor. Im thinking about driving the 3 hours and visiting my old doctor next week. I dunno.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by oktaren

I am sick. I have been sick for a few weeks now. I have a lump on my throat, which I am almost positive is a swollen node, my throat just started hurting a bit and I have been extremely tired. I wish I could find a fricken doctor. Im thinking about driving the 3 hours and visiting my old doctor next week. I dunno.

Go to an urgent care, NOW! I can't diagnose over the internet, but you need to be seen.

[Hopes]

Go to the emergency room.

You can't wait for a "new patient" appointment when you're experiencing symptoms like that.

In the meantime, schedule a "new patient" appointment so you can establish yourself at a practice so you don't end up with the same problem next time you get sick.