Looking for a GP Doctor and failed acceptance interview

[ms60ocb]

I'm looking for a GP Doctor as a winter Texan. I was asked to fill out an application form which I did.  The result I was rejected, for what ever reason. I had never heard of this process. That Doctor's group has two individuals accepting new applicants and basically I'm looking for a referral. That was the suggestion of Urgent Care.

Has anyone else had this occurrence and when did it start.

Looks like I will have ti visit the ER if can't find get an appt somewhere tomorrow

Clay   Legal Resident of Texas but summer elsewhere

[2gypsies]

Did you ask why you were rejected?  Try another doctor?

No, never heard of filling out an application.

[Barbaraok]

What type of insurance do you have - that might be the reason for rejection.   Often practices don't accept people from outside of the insurance network that they are in.

[mptjelgin]

When I was seeking a new primary care physician in Kerrville Texas several years ago I was asked to fill out an application, and later found that it was used by the doctor to determine whether or not he would accept me as a patient.  I recall one of the criteria was if patients had chronic back pain and treated it with narcotic pain relievers. This doctor would not accept those folks as a new patient. 

I can imagine that experience has taught doctors that some patients are a great deal of trouble, and perhaps heading those folks off is in their best interest. Especially in a small practice. 

 

 

[Kirk W]

We recently moved within TX and had difficulties in finding a doctor who would accept us also. The problem that we had was to find one who was experienced who would accept more Medicare patients. We were never asked to fill out an application though, it was all by phone. Most of the doctors we contacted asked what type of insurance we have before making an appointment. We are in the Dallas area and we finally got into one that we wanted by using a connection who knew the doctor. 

[TXiceman]

We are on Medicare and a supplement plan.  WE have not had any issues getting to see a Doctor in Texas or anywhere across the country.  Any Doctor or hospital that takes Medicare accepts our coverage.

Some Doctors and hospitals refuse to take insurance that is not within their accepted plans.  When we call for an appointment, first thing we ask is will they take our insurance.  Often they will ask for our insurance information and they will confirm coverage before we show up.

Advantage plans are very regional for full coverage.

Ken

[Kirk W]

5 hours ago, TXiceman said:

We are on Medicare and a supplement plan.  WE have not had any issues getting to see a Doctor in Texas or anywhere across the country.

We used to say that also, but I suspect that you have not changed primary care physicians recently. Our experience was in Dallas, TX and the suburbs, and we have Medicare and a plan G supplement. It began about Sept. of 2019 and we finally resolved it in only 2 months. Many doctors are just not accepting new patients at all and even more do not accept new Medicare patients. 

Edited March 12, 2020 by Kirk W

[chirakawa]

I see a physician's assistant in SE Texas.  He is in a group of about 8 other practitioners with one doctor.  My PA is the only one in the group who accepts Medicare.  They all did until about five years ago.  It's not so easy anymore to find a Primary Care Physician in all locations.

[whj469]

A friend of mine's wife has been a GP or PCP in Houston for many years when she moved to medical research she sold her practice and the doctor who was buying it told her that she had to many Medicare patience and that you get more money from other insurance. She replied that she was a doctor and took whatever patience that need her care.

[ms60ocb]

I found a Doctor BUT new patients were being scheduled in April. So this will get me in the door next year. The ER still is my best option.

Thanks to all for your words

Clay in Kerrville TX

[Barbaraok]

When we started spending longer winters in the Mesa area, I called the largest hospital group's phone number for those looking for a physician.  I was told the internal medicine group close to us didn't have appointments available for a couple of months, which was beyond the time we needed for Rx renewals.  But, they had a new clinic that had just opened a few more miles from us (and close to one of our favorite breakfast places) and the internist had appointments available the end of the following week!   Turns out to be the best thing that could have happened for us.  We really like her and she has skillfully guided us to the right specialist for the different problems that arise as the result of aging.     And of course, this being a snowbird area, with all of the specialists in areas that have a lot of 'mature' 😉 patients being on Medicare is not an impediment.  

[fpmtngal]

Interesting reading this thread as I’m trying to decide what to do about doctors.

I used UCLA Medical for my health needs while I was living in California.  I went full-time in September last year and didn’t think to ask UCLA about their insurance when I switched to a Humana Supplement plan, which Via Benefits assured me would be taken by any doctor who was accepting Medicare.  I called to get a dermatology appointment at the same time as my other appointments (in March) and was told that UCLA doesn’t take Humana and they wouldn’t schedule an appointment for me.

I thought about using the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, since I’ll probably spend the winter in Arizona again, but got scared off by their insurance statements on the website - I wasn’t quite sure what they meant by it (something about not accepting Medicare or it’s schedule or something if you were an out of state patient), and thought it sounded like it could become very expensive very quickly.

So today I started looking for an ophthalmologist (one of my eye crosses so it’s difficult to get a prescription for glasses), a dermatologist (I had a small basal cell spot removed in Show Low but wasn’t all that thrilled with the doctor), a dentist (or at least a dental hygienist, another appointment I was supposed to have in March) and a gynecologist in the Livingston area (more or less).  Do I call something like Texas A&M’s medical clinic, Baylor or???  Then reading this thread and I wonder if I should just call everyone within about 100 miles (while I’m not thrilled with learning the streets and freeways of Houston as I’ve never been there before, I figure it’s close enough if that’s what I have to do).  I’ve been with UCLA for 20 years - if I needed a specialist, there was someone there so no research needed, plus I always thought the care I received was first-rate.  And while the dermatologist in Show Low wasn’t horrible, there were things that bothered me and so now I’m spooked.

I’m so confused!

[SWharton]

We moved to Phoenix 3 years ago and had to switch all our doctors. We have Medicare and Aetna as a supplement. I went on the Aetna site and found doctors who were accepting patients, checked them out and made an appt. with each one selected.  Your problem might be your supplement plan isn't accepted by the doctor. The doctors we needed were: PCP, Neurologist, Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist and Rheumatologist.

[2gypsies]

We really like teaching hospitals associated with an university.  Their clinics can take care of all specialities and your records are all in one place.  They are up-to-date on the latest procedures.

[whj469]

I was wondering about A&M clinic? A&M doesn't have a medical school.

[Barbaraok]

13 minutes ago, whj469 said:

I was wondering about A&M clinic? A&M doesn't have a medical school.

Are you talking about Texas A&M?  If so, yes they have a medical school.  

[TXiceman]

Just saw an article the UTMB Galveston was laying off 200 workers due to funding and COVID.

Ken

[Barbaraok]

22 hours ago, fpmtngal said:

I'm so confused!

If you're coming to Arizona for the winter, have you thought about just calling now and getting appointments for when you are here.   I can give you recommendations for everyone but a gynecologist - my interest takes care of that, and since I had a hysterectomy years ago (no cervix left) , I do not need a Pap smear any longer.   We are in Mesa area.  Have great internist, as well as ophthalmologist, dermatologists, cardiologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, as well as a great dental practice a block away from our park.  

We went with Banner - huge system and they have a lot of clinics all over the valley, well as hospitals.  Also have a joint hospital with MD Anderson for cancer treatment (where I get my mammograms every year) just down the road from us.   And because this is an area with huge number of retirees, a lot of the physicians are used to working with patients who are not here in the summer.    

[fpmtngal]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I tried Humana’s website (don’t know why I didn’t think of that right off) but they referred me to the Medicare website, and that was much more useful.

Barbara, Thanks SO much for the offer!!!  I’ll PM you and ask for suggestions - I am planning on wintering in Quartzsite again.  Mesa wouldn’t be a big deal, an easy half day drive and I know there’s a number of parks in the area.

I ended up making an appointment at Baylor-St. Luke’s Medical Group in Livingston as I have an issue that I’d like to take care of as soon as I can.  The rest can wait until I get back to Arizona.

Thanks again for giving me some great suggestions.

 

[Twotoes]

I am full time and don’t have a home base. When I need a Dr I just go on the MediCare website, type in my location and find a local Dr. I call and make an appointment. I usually stay in one location for a month and can get in before I leave. The only problem is with the follow up. 

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, Twotoes said:

The only problem is with the follow up. 

Do you have any conditions that require continuing medications? Our experience has been that most doctors will not renew prescription medications without some of their own tests and diagnosis. Some drugs are more sensitive then others. 

Another thread brought up the use of Plush Care, online medical doctor services. 

[whj469]

Texas A&M does not have a medical school. Medical Schools in Texas: TT in Lubbock, UT several places around the state and Baylor in Houston. U of Houston just started one.

[Barbaraok]

32 minutes ago, whj469 said:

Texas A&M does not have a medical school. Medical Schools in Texas: TT in Lubbock, UT several places around the state and Baylor in Houston. U of Houston just started one.

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine is the medical school at Texas A&M University. The college offers M.D., M.D./Ph. D., M.D./M.P.H, M.D./M.B.A., and several other M.D./M.S. dual degree programs.

 

Texas Medical Schools

• Baylor College of Medicine
• Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
• University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• The University of Texas at Austin-Dell Medical School
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School
• The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
• The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio 
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Medical School
• The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center  
• University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

Edited August 13, 2020 by Barbaraok

[whj469]

Texas A&M just started in 2020. It is new and no MDs yet. All of the rest except TT and Baylor are part of UT. Your list doesn't include U of Houston which just completed its first year. A medical school is one that educates MDs.

[2gypsies]

2 hours ago, whj469 said:

Texas A&M just started in 2020. It is new and no MDs yet. All of the rest except TT and Baylor are part of UT. Your list doesn't include U of Houston which just completed its first year. A medical school is one that educates MDs.

It began in 1977.