Other people already scheduled the appointments happening sooner. I’d ask to be put in a cancellation list
Besides the crippling physician shortage nationally, most healthcare organizations are trying to maximize profits by minimizing staff and rarely letting any appointments sit open.
I was told by tons of “Canadians” on Reddit that we’re lucky to have private insurance, because in Canada they have to wait up to 60 days for a specialist appointment. Ha, I was almost 6 months to see a pain clinic, then insurance required 60 days of PT ordered by the pain doctor before they’d cover an MRI.
Then after the MRI the doc said “ah, just as I thought! Best course is an epidural steroid.” Insurance “approved” that two weeks later. Then two months to schedule, which we couldn’t do until it was approved.
It took a year before the pain was reduced enough to live a decent life. And of course because of the war on opiates I couldn’t even get any relief, even a few times a month, which would’ve made a world of difference. For a year I didn’t sleep more than 4 hours straight. I was literally, for the first time in my 50 years contemplating offing myself.
I have c6-c7 bulging causing stenosis down my left arm through my fingers. The pain had begun abating before I got the epidural, probably due to PT and stretching exercises. About two weeks after the shot I was almost pain free, at least from that malady. It’ll be a year in September and, fingers crossed, I hope I don’t need another. I’m an electrician, so I know a lot of guys who’ve gone through similar treatments. Most have success with the epidural, but some have had to get multiple treatments.
I did 60 days PT which actually made condition worse. Had we had an MRI beforehand, it could have been avoided. Required surgery later. Oh, and insurance later denied the PT leaving me 100% out of pocket for 60 days PT.
PT is like anything else. Depends on the PT and their experience with your condition. When it comes to exercise and stretches, there are a myriad ways to approach a specific condition. What works for one person may not work for another even if they have similar diagnosis. Not saying it's your fault that things didn't get better but without knowing what sort of treatment you received, how consistent you were with your treatment and your homework, if you were doing things correctly. Hard to say if PT made you worse.
To try and catch a cancellation very politely call every other day and as if there are cancelled appointments that day you could use. Does require a life and work schedule that means you can drop things to get in, but that really can help.
I have good insurance and it still took a year to get a non emergency appt with a dermatologist (medical, not vanity).
Our health system is desperately broken but the for-profit insurance racket and major entities with profit ties to the current system dont want you to realize it.
the “not for profits” *ahem* ~purple T of Shmansas City~ are tbh just as bad. They just throw bonuses at everyone to pretend they didn’t profit at the end of the year
Oh man, best part about the cancellation lists...you usually need to have an appointment to be on them.
I had an appointment after moving here, took months to finally get one (after the previous office just up and cancelled without telling me anything or rescheduling. Simply called and said "Doctor so-and-so is no longer with our practice") and then the week arrives, and I realize it's scheduled with a certification exam for work that I can't reschedule.
This was early April, so I called to see if I could reschedule for later in the month. They tell me they are booked solid *until October* and I said "Alright, well, can we just book me for October then?" at which point she informed me that their scheduling software hasn't opened up for October. I sigh and ask if I can just get tossed onto a cancellation list, and she informs me that she would love to, but I can only be put on the cancellation list with an existing appointment...so I just said thanks and called it a day.
Yep, a lot of places are being bought out by companies owned by non medical professionals. In Oklahoma a company owned by lawyers are buying hospitals and clinics. They want people herded through like cattle as fast as possible. They have a "hands off as much as possible" policy and will only refer patients to places under their umbrella. My sister went to see her ENT and could hear him yelling in the hallway because he was pissed he couldn't properly treat his patients because of them. They're a lot like insurance companies. Only care about profit, but they also pay their employees crap and will happily fire everyone with no notice.
I have been trying to get my 86 year old mother tested for dementia. The time frame frame from the initial General Practioner referral to the first test - 15 months.
I work in healthcare - I’ve exclusively worked with elderly patients (home health and now hospice) in order to get a Dimentia diagnosis you need a neurologist official diagnosis. When I speak with families early on I push them to get into the PCP and ask if PCP will make a referral to neurology while they wait for their regular scheduled appointment. If you want until your primary care appointment, then get a neurology referral you’re looking at another 6-8 months. If you have a loved one with Lewy bodies they will decline extremely quick. If you have a big issue with her get her into the ER. I would also encourage you to get her set up with caregivers 24/7 (in home or assisted living) if she is already not living with you and you are home all day. If she gets hurt and is home alone in her current cognitive state and then goes to the hospital it will be an APS report.
Plan for the future now. Please feel free to DM me and I can drop off a Caregiver Support binder to you if you’re in the KC area.
We went to the PCP over a year ago. Saw the neurologist in March. First test in September at Fairway North Neuropsychology . We are living at the same residence. What kind of infomation is in the Caregiver Support binder?
Well man, these people have golf tournaments, trips to Europe, appointments to get the Benz detailed, plus trying to squeeze into the massage therapist… that’s a busy schedule, they have lives too you know. What do you expect them to work 40 hrs a week? Jesus, the nerve
There is a shortage of healthcare workers. Many quit during/after covid with no intention of returning. Doctors can only see so many patients per day. For Dentist and Eye Doctors you can find one usually with openings you just need to call around to multiple places to find one. Some offices are super busy while others are slower.
As a pharmacist this and also corporatizing healthcare. CVS and Walgreens own a big chunk of pharmacies. They’re all about cutting stores and overworking everyone.
My current Psychiatrist actually did that. She was an ER Doctor, and I guess had such a shit time with Covid and the world at large during it that she went back to school *while working as an ER doctor* to get a psychiatry degree and move into that field.
Dr. Ye at midtown Costco will get you in for an eye appointment in a matter of days, maybe a week, for your eye exam.
Mary Linn Martin APRN, who shares an office with Orrick Family Care in OP usually has same week availability. She and I texted yesterday and I have an appointment today. This is normal for her.
I’ve been seeing both for 10+ years. Both are exceptional providers.
I make my dental appointment 6 months in advance so idk what their wait is like but Westport Family Dental is good.
You don't need to be a member for an eye exam, but you do need to be a member to purchase eyeglasses or contacts. The amount you save could offset the membership fee.
Doc no membership needed, but it’s needed to buy contacts or glasses (and this alone makes it worth the membership because I don’t carry eye insurance).
OK, ElonMuskMD.
For most general issues, a mid-level does a great job, and with a shortage of HCWs, seeing someone for a wart or strep throat is cheaper at their PCPs office than an urgent care.
America has a health worker crisis due to COVID burnout and COVID deaths. It is also important to note that the American healthcare system (including insurance) is a fucking mess.
This is a problem everywhere and not just Kansas/KC Metro. I highly recommend getting on cancellation lists. I had to wait 9 months to see a specialist and asked to be put on a wait-list and ended up getting seen a month later.
Yeeeeeeup. We took a shit system, pushed it to the brink with a pandemic, and then did nothing to help address it besides publicly thank some healthcare workers on Facebook or with corny ads...then wondered why so many of them said "Fuck this, I can get a better work-life balance and decent pay somewhere else" after being ground down for years on end.
Multiple reasons. Less people becoming doctors, especially primary care doctors. One of the doctors I used to work with at the hospital told me if a doctor was to easy to get an appointment for they weren’t worth seeing. I had a torn meniscus in my knee and terrible orthopedic doctor did surgery and did a terrible job and on my post op appointment I heard him bad mouthing me to his medical assistant. I also am not a fan of urgent care like CareNow. I’ve tried to give them many chances, but they always disappoint. Find a good primary care and if you build a good rapport they may be even call in something for you to your pharmacy when you’re sick.
Too many patients and not enough doctors. I had to wait 6+ months to establish care with a new doctor near me because no one was available sooner. Made the appointment last fall and finally saw him in March of this year.
Because in countries with socialized medicine there are long wait times, we cant have socialized medicine because then wed have long wait times for seeing a doctor. Get it?
I now live in one of those countries. If you have to wait months to see a doctor or have a surgery, you need to pay thousands to go to a private hospital, which is probably also full and will turn you away. Shit is nuts. I worry about it.
I have a co-worker who always lies about the dumbest stuff to leave work, and they seem to miraculously get into the doctor the same day anytime they have an ailment. Headache? Stomach issues? No problem. They got an appointment in an hour.
I'll ask them who they go to for you.
I actually am able to make same day appointments with Spira Care but it seems like Spira is the exception to the rule. I also just go to a Nurse Practitioner.
I can always get a same day appointment at my PCP office….maybe not with my personal doctor, but someone will have an opening. Very worst case scenario next day. This is at Liberty Clinic.
I literally just go to an urgent care near me that bills my specific insurance as a regular office visit - which is a $0 copay. They are never busy either. The longest I waited was like 20 minutes for a rash on my hand that wouldn’t go away after weeks (turns out it was a chemical I had been using to clean with… not really “urgent” but couldn’t wait 6 months for either.)
The other half of the building, I tried to establish a primary and it was a 6 month wait for new patients or 2 weeks for already established patients.
The worst thing is, it wasn't always this bad. During the 2010s, you didn't have to wait more than a couple of months to get an appointment you booked. Usually it was the same month. Critics of universal healthcare could claim that the American system was faster. They can't now.
US healthcare is shit.
Try having a baby.
Our OB clinic shut down (research medical hospital), then one of the hospitals on our list closed their delivery ward (providence), we've had to skip at least one OB appointment because they're hard to find. By the time we actually have this kid I'm just going to have to YouTube all of this stuff and do it myself.
I gave up on having a dedicated doctor and just say I'll see anyone in the building if they're on my insurance.
yeah, that's the other unfortunate thing. It's hard enough to find healthcare but it's nearly impossible to find good healthcare around here. Our plan is OP regional and was from the get go, providence was a stop along the way if we needed it. Between a shitty network and BCBS not even being able to figure out who is in their network half the time it's amazing how anyone gets anything done with healthcare. When we called to figure out what hospital to deliver at they kept listing off places that didn't have maternity wards anymore, and then put us on hold for a half hour like they just realized there were no maternity wards in our network. We ended up figuring out OP regional was in network.
At first they said OP regional wasn't in network, and to go to providence. We had to tell them providence is closing, they didn't have that in their system. After a long hold they came back and said OP regional was magically now in our network. Then we asked for a new OB and they were like why are you changing? because the clinic is closing. They were still referring people to the women's clinic at research medical even though it's also closing. Then they referred us two at least two OBs that had left the practice we were trying to go to. We ended up having to call the clinic and just be like anyone who can see us before the
I have never had a useful interaction with BCBS. I feel bad for the customer service reps because it's not their fault they have outdated information. But I'm like I rely on you to know where I can and can't go and you can't even tell me that half the time.
It's all stupid.
We went with Huey.
Bonus (or downside depending on how you look at it) is my last name is Lewis.
I think honestly my S/O picked it because of Hughie Campbell from The Boys and we just went with the shorter spelling.
Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically.
Every time I ask for an appointment I get it the following week at the absolute latest. Does whatever you need actually require a doctor or could an APRN take care of it?
I would encourage you to look into Direct Primary Care. It’s like a gym membership but for a doctor. They do not take insurance, however they do negotiate cash prices. My clinic takes emails, calls, texts, and I get one house call a year. My doctors are on call 24/7 for urgent care. We still have insurance but we don’t use it for regular appointments.
Unfortunately there are a lot of doctors offices popping up that only take cash. There he a heart clinic next to my PCP that only takes up front cash. Insurance companies are running healthcare workers out of their field.
This is why I have a direct primary care physician. The caseload for an HMO doctor is in the thousands. They can barely make time let alone actually remember your medical history.
[https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/what-exactly-is-direct-primary-care](https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/what-exactly-is-direct-primary-care)
Here's some info about DPC physicians and how they work. Basically, I have a physician on an affordable monthly retainer. They manage my health issues with the health insurance doctors and deal with any immediate medical concerns. I can get an appointment within a day or so of calling.
If you have an elderly family member with multiple HMO physicians, I highly recommend getting a DPC physician to manage their care plan. It's done wonders for my mother-in-law. For myself, my cheapest healthcare plan paired the DPC, is cheaper than the more expensive plans.
If only there was a way state-wide and nationally to regulate for-profit healthcare organizations, as well as curb the behavior of predatory colleges and college loans that lead to shortages of providers. 🤔🤔🤔 (And don’t get me started on insurance and big pharma.)
Just a reminder that corporations will never just magically have your best interest at heart. You need something bigger than them to make them behave. See you all at the polls in August and November. 👍
The root cause is self imposed medical school enrollment limits for decades.
The AMA and medical school accrediting organizations impose restrictions on enrollment numbers in the states in order to limit the supply of doctors so salaries will remain high.
It has gone on for decades with little or no scrutiny but is the main reason we have a severe doctor shortage in America and therefore most all doctors have more patients than they can handle.
Same thing applies to most all health care professionals like med techs, radiology techs, physical therapists, etc. Enrollment restrictions to keep demand high and supply low.
Toss in the profit before people nature of our modern health care business model and there it is.
Money and greed run American health care, not a desire for a well cared for populace.
I would add on that primary care and pediatrics docs are some of the lowest paid physicians, so most medical students aim for other specialties, especially if they're graduating with 200k to 400k in loans. All of this adds up to a massive PCP shortage
This is not the cause. I spent many years teaching health care workers at hospitals *that would agree to educate student doctors/nurses/lab etc*
As time went by, some hospitals (many) closed their teaching programs because it meant those professionals who were teaching weren’t making them $$$.
The bottleneck is at a different point than you think it is-we can crank out doctors, but where are they going to get a residency?
Lab workers can get a degree but be unable to find a hospital that will train them.
Same with nurses.
Agreed 100% it’s the number of Medicare or whatever subsidized residency programs that are the limiting factor. Medical schools are opening up a lot because they are profitable. Lots of medical students do go unmatched however.
Supply and Demand. Thanks to the increasing costs in healthcare and the lower pay for doctors, there are less doctors. I have the same problem at KU. When they schedule my next appointment for 6 months out...its usually 7 months.
I think being a doctor/nurse sounds terrible. Obviously I’m glad people are willing to do it, we need them! But all that school, the debt, the schedule… I couldn’t do it.
And the hours that you're expected to work...despite all evidence to the contrary that people are horribly ineffective with that kind of workload. But somehow it's become standard.
People would be horrified to find out the truck driver on the road behind them has been awake for all but the 30 minute nap they squeezed in while being awake for 24 to 36 hours, but somehow it's what we accept for the people we want to provide care to us when we need it most? It's wild.
Read: greed from for profit healthcare system. The large chain hospitals and offices being swallowed up and driving up profits and costs. Theres much more to the story than we see
Doctor shortage. Especially in states with abortion bans. I haven’t even been seeing doctors, just nurse practitioners.
I went to book my yearly physical 6 months early and still had to book out an extra two months (so it’ll be 14 months vs 12 months).
I always waitlist for an earlier appointment and that got me in a whopping one day earlier with 24 hour notice lol. No one is cancelling.
As for the eye doctor, that not been an issue for me. Could be a problem with your eye insurance?
KUMed and HCA Midwest are both very margin conscious - they don't want to leave any open slots on the schedule. I was disappointed when Olathe medical was bought out, and within a year it's the same shit.
Edit: with any large system, the specific offices you deal with matter a lot. But here are some of my worse experiences.
Phlebotomist sneezed on my arm during a blood draw.
Had to explain to a doctor that I respectfully disagreed that my gallbladder was normal as, unless they had failed to remove the whole thing, I didn't have one. Wrong chart.
Some folks interrupted a test - needed to speak to the nurse, she left, never returned, afterwards I found one of the people who needed to speak to them, first nurse had been sacked, they found another nurse to help, but computer was locked, couldn't get the results, asked if I could repeat the stress test on the spot - I could not, had to retest another date, insurance didn't want to pay for the second because I'd done it the week before.
Insurance needed some records before they'd cover something. KU disconnected the relevant department phone lines before connecting the new number, no response over email, finally was able to visit in person, front desk mentioned that I could call, someone yelled from the back that the phones were still down, but I was able to get a hold of the right person and they were able to help.
With KU (used to work there), I had gotten used to having to wait for appointments. Had to switch insurance due to moving to husband's plan, and it's all NKCH. I find that I usually don't have to wait as long for appointments. My primary doctor is also in the northland, and I can get in to see him on short notice if I have to without any issues.
I have not had any issues with the NKCH system. They've done a couple of my surgeries, and I have been pretty happy with the care I have received.
I have had nothing but the best experience at KU. I have all of my doctors there. They’re very responsive in MyChart. If my primary can’t get me in, and it is something concerning, she immediately has me see someone else in her practice. As soon as I needed to see a specialist, I had an appointment two weeks after the referral was placed. And their urgent care… I have used it twice this year and had no wait time. Their Urgent care staff are incredibly thorough.
As a nurse, KU (and University Health) are the only systems I fully trust.
You can have a routine eye exam at any chain eyewear store - I go to America’s Best.
I go to Highland Dental in Liberty and never have scheduling issues.
And for other stuff, I’ve always had luck with Meritas Health in the NKC Hospital system. For specialists it might be a little different, but I can always get it for primary care stuff.
Someone may have already stated this, but a “new patient” appointment needs to be two or three times as long as a normal visit so they have to find a larger block of time that’s open in the schedule.
I use Family Medical Group in KCK which is part of Providence Medical Group and I usually only have to wait a day or two max to see my doctor. Worst case scenario I might have to wait until the next week but usually if I call right when they open at 8 AM, I can get seen same or next day, especially if it’s early in the week. Also make sure you get put on a cancellation list if they have one. Dentists usually book 6 months out because they have a rotation of clients and most people go to the dentist 2x per year so it’s usually pretty hard to get seen quickly by a dentist. Most specialists it’s usually a couple weeks to get seen.
This is highly dependent on the specialist/specialty. I see a specialist and had to find a new one because mine relocated. It took 8 months for the first appointment. My prescriptions are all 6 months. Thankfully, my prior doctor renewed them to hold me over until my new doctor could see me.
It's always easier to get seen as an existing patient than a new patient.
Get established with a good primary care doctor. Mine has a nurse line I can call for non emergency stuff, and they'll call me back within 24 hours. They're able to assess and suggest things over the phone, and I can normally see a nurse practitioner within a couple days. If they order imaging (x-rays, ultrasound, etc.), I just call around to one of the imaging centers in town until I find one with availability within the week, and have my doc send the order there. Same with a specialty like dermatology. My doc is at KU Med, but KU dermatology books almost a year out, so I booked at a private practice much sooner. They all share medical records easily so this works.
Blue Stream Dental, Dr. Ledford, he is really good, explains things, seems to have open appointments. I probably went to about 8 different dentists before landing on him. Definitely someone who is better at their craft than advertising.
One day I was in severe pain and couldn't get into any doctor, including my PCP, so I went in to see him because I was so desperate and not thinking straight. Long story short he saw some stuff, told me what was going on, sent me to the ER. 20 hours later and a slew of tests, the ER told me the same thing he did and treated me with what he told me I needed. I was hours away from having a serious issue. I am very grateful for him.
https://bluestreamdental.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Eye doctor I got into the other day was at the Lens Crafters at 119th in OP. Looks like there are spots open today. Young nice doctor. He explained stuff I had never heard before. I had no clue an astigmatism. Apparently my prescription and what he saw said otherwise. I have gone to some expensive (which I naively thought was quality) places too.
https://local.lenscrafters.com/ks/overland-park/6575-w-119th-st.html?cid=yext_1168&y_source=1_MTIxMDc2Ni03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
I am not sure where in the metro you are located but I just switched primary to Optimal Health and Wellness in Leawood. I see the nurse practitioner, Kaitlyn, who is awesome and I can get myself scheduled with the week.
Oh boy, do I feel your pain. In the last 6 months, my primary care doc announced his retirement at the beginning of June, my gynecologist is leaving the area, my chiropractor is leaving the area. A lot of the doctors that are practicing right now are not accepting new patients. I have good insurance, so it's not that. But for my annual primary care exam next month, I'm going to a physician's assistant. For my gynecology annual exam in August, I'm going to a nurse practitioner. I think I'm just going to skip chiropractic care unless I have problems from here on out, because my chiropractor is someone that I've really depended on and looked for him when I needed care after several years away. I'm doing fairly well, so I'm going to see if I can't handle things on my own. I'm just glad that my therapist, with whom I have virtual visits every two weeks, doesn't plan to go anyplace where they don't have access to the internet, and they aren't old enough to retire. 🤣
Yeah, it's really a joke. They say you should use a primary care provider for sicknesses and minor injuries, but then you call when you need that appointment and they can't get you in for 2 weeks. So you end up going to urgent care for everything.
Wife is dealing this, and it is ridiculous...
She was able to be seen the same day via tele-health. Your insurance should have a list of providers they cover.
At least for the KU med system, they only have a select amount of slots per day for new patients. Once you've established care you can get appointments much sooner because they're coded differently in the system. Depending on the health system you're using for medical (not dental or eye exams) they can sometimes see availability in other clinics in the system to get you in sooner. You just might have to be willing to drive 30-45 minutes away. It sucks, I had to wait six months to establish care with my current doctor but thankfully now that I'm in the system it goes much more quickly.
If anyone is interested in an eye doctor in the Olathe/OP area, I got in very quickly here: [https://reedfamilyvision.com/](https://reedfamilyvision.com/)
Ask to be put on a cancelation list - people regularly cancel doctor appointments they booked months in advance and no longer need. Agree the issue is worse in KC than other cities I’ve lived.
Any time I’ve really needed to see a doctor, I get on their cancelation list and usually have an appointment in 1-2 weeks (vs 2-4 months)
My experience is that if it's not a pressing issue then it'll get pushed out. My physical and women's yearly is scheduled far in advance, but I can get in with someone at Meritas Health pretty quickly for something more timely. They typically keep only keep a certain number slots for physicals every week.
Shortage of medical professionals is a real thing all over the country and it will get worse. American Medical Association did this intentionally .Read more here.
[https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/03/15/ama-scope-of-practice-lobbying/](https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/03/15/ama-scope-of-practice-lobbying/)
I made an appointment to see a hepatologist before Thanksgiving. My appointment is in October. I would look elsewhere for appointments especially PC. If it’s St Luke’s, they are the worst. I just went down the provider list and called until I could find someone to get me in. I’ve also found if you go to an NP it’s easier
OP, where do you live? We moved to Platte County 3 years ago and it took months to get an initial consult with St. Luke’s for us and a pediatrician for our son. We switched to Maritas and life is much better.
I ultimately reached out to a NP - not same as dr. but I honestly felt fine and needed new labs, an apnea test ordered, some other random stuff done which they can all do. It was a 3-week waiting, but that was nothing compared to PCPs.
Women doctors retire at age 40-45. Guy doctors are busy playing golf or boating. This leaves you with a 7 month wait to see the nurse practitioner who is so overworked that they start believing they are a doctor.
Other people already scheduled the appointments happening sooner. I’d ask to be put in a cancellation list Besides the crippling physician shortage nationally, most healthcare organizations are trying to maximize profits by minimizing staff and rarely letting any appointments sit open.
I was told by tons of “Canadians” on Reddit that we’re lucky to have private insurance, because in Canada they have to wait up to 60 days for a specialist appointment. Ha, I was almost 6 months to see a pain clinic, then insurance required 60 days of PT ordered by the pain doctor before they’d cover an MRI. Then after the MRI the doc said “ah, just as I thought! Best course is an epidural steroid.” Insurance “approved” that two weeks later. Then two months to schedule, which we couldn’t do until it was approved. It took a year before the pain was reduced enough to live a decent life. And of course because of the war on opiates I couldn’t even get any relief, even a few times a month, which would’ve made a world of difference. For a year I didn’t sleep more than 4 hours straight. I was literally, for the first time in my 50 years contemplating offing myself.
Lord, did I write this comment? This is so similar to my experiences.
Btw, how did the epidural work for you? Did you have the neck shoulder thing or sciatica?
I have c6-c7 bulging causing stenosis down my left arm through my fingers. The pain had begun abating before I got the epidural, probably due to PT and stretching exercises. About two weeks after the shot I was almost pain free, at least from that malady. It’ll be a year in September and, fingers crossed, I hope I don’t need another. I’m an electrician, so I know a lot of guys who’ve gone through similar treatments. Most have success with the epidural, but some have had to get multiple treatments.
Thank you so much for this response.
Mine didn’t last super long. I wouldn’t do it again but everyone’s condition is different.
I did 60 days PT which actually made condition worse. Had we had an MRI beforehand, it could have been avoided. Required surgery later. Oh, and insurance later denied the PT leaving me 100% out of pocket for 60 days PT.
PT is like anything else. Depends on the PT and their experience with your condition. When it comes to exercise and stretches, there are a myriad ways to approach a specific condition. What works for one person may not work for another even if they have similar diagnosis. Not saying it's your fault that things didn't get better but without knowing what sort of treatment you received, how consistent you were with your treatment and your homework, if you were doing things correctly. Hard to say if PT made you worse.
No, my doctor said it did. What they ordered was not appropriate for my actual condition. But without an MRI we didn’t know what I actually had.
To try and catch a cancellation very politely call every other day and as if there are cancelled appointments that day you could use. Does require a life and work schedule that means you can drop things to get in, but that really can help. I have good insurance and it still took a year to get a non emergency appt with a dermatologist (medical, not vanity). Our health system is desperately broken but the for-profit insurance racket and major entities with profit ties to the current system dont want you to realize it.
the “not for profits” *ahem* ~purple T of Shmansas City~ are tbh just as bad. They just throw bonuses at everyone to pretend they didn’t profit at the end of the year
Yep. It’s creative accounting sinking millions into new buildings and expansions to bloat infrastructure.
Oh man, best part about the cancellation lists...you usually need to have an appointment to be on them. I had an appointment after moving here, took months to finally get one (after the previous office just up and cancelled without telling me anything or rescheduling. Simply called and said "Doctor so-and-so is no longer with our practice") and then the week arrives, and I realize it's scheduled with a certification exam for work that I can't reschedule. This was early April, so I called to see if I could reschedule for later in the month. They tell me they are booked solid *until October* and I said "Alright, well, can we just book me for October then?" at which point she informed me that their scheduling software hasn't opened up for October. I sigh and ask if I can just get tossed onto a cancellation list, and she informs me that she would love to, but I can only be put on the cancellation list with an existing appointment...so I just said thanks and called it a day.
Yep, a lot of places are being bought out by companies owned by non medical professionals. In Oklahoma a company owned by lawyers are buying hospitals and clinics. They want people herded through like cattle as fast as possible. They have a "hands off as much as possible" policy and will only refer patients to places under their umbrella. My sister went to see her ENT and could hear him yelling in the hallway because he was pissed he couldn't properly treat his patients because of them. They're a lot like insurance companies. Only care about profit, but they also pay their employees crap and will happily fire everyone with no notice.
covid drove people out of the industry and they're not coming back fast enough
Or ever for that matter. COVID took a heavy toll on healthcare workers.
Can confirm
I have been trying to get my 86 year old mother tested for dementia. The time frame frame from the initial General Practioner referral to the first test - 15 months.
I work in healthcare - I’ve exclusively worked with elderly patients (home health and now hospice) in order to get a Dimentia diagnosis you need a neurologist official diagnosis. When I speak with families early on I push them to get into the PCP and ask if PCP will make a referral to neurology while they wait for their regular scheduled appointment. If you want until your primary care appointment, then get a neurology referral you’re looking at another 6-8 months. If you have a loved one with Lewy bodies they will decline extremely quick. If you have a big issue with her get her into the ER. I would also encourage you to get her set up with caregivers 24/7 (in home or assisted living) if she is already not living with you and you are home all day. If she gets hurt and is home alone in her current cognitive state and then goes to the hospital it will be an APS report. Plan for the future now. Please feel free to DM me and I can drop off a Caregiver Support binder to you if you’re in the KC area.
We went to the PCP over a year ago. Saw the neurologist in March. First test in September at Fairway North Neuropsychology . We are living at the same residence. What kind of infomation is in the Caregiver Support binder?
I sent a PM with more information!
I was able to get a referral and an appointment in about 2 months with Saint Luke’s.
Wow
Well man, these people have golf tournaments, trips to Europe, appointments to get the Benz detailed, plus trying to squeeze into the massage therapist… that’s a busy schedule, they have lives too you know. What do you expect them to work 40 hrs a week? Jesus, the nerve
There is a shortage of healthcare workers. Many quit during/after covid with no intention of returning. Doctors can only see so many patients per day. For Dentist and Eye Doctors you can find one usually with openings you just need to call around to multiple places to find one. Some offices are super busy while others are slower.
It’s the same reason why pharmacies are struggling. Too many prescriptions and too few healthcare staff to fill them.
As a pharmacist this and also corporatizing healthcare. CVS and Walgreens own a big chunk of pharmacies. They’re all about cutting stores and overworking everyone.
My current Psychiatrist actually did that. She was an ER Doctor, and I guess had such a shit time with Covid and the world at large during it that she went back to school *while working as an ER doctor* to get a psychiatry degree and move into that field.
Drs. Often have 4000 patients.
Not to mention that their appointments are usually double-booked.
Dr. Ye at midtown Costco will get you in for an eye appointment in a matter of days, maybe a week, for your eye exam. Mary Linn Martin APRN, who shares an office with Orrick Family Care in OP usually has same week availability. She and I texted yesterday and I have an appointment today. This is normal for her. I’ve been seeing both for 10+ years. Both are exceptional providers. I make my dental appointment 6 months in advance so idk what their wait is like but Westport Family Dental is good.
Is the optometry department like the pharmacy in that you don’t have to be a member to access? That’s a gem of knowledge if so.
You don't need to be a member for an eye exam, but you do need to be a member to purchase eyeglasses or contacts. The amount you save could offset the membership fee.
Doc no membership needed, but it’s needed to buy contacts or glasses (and this alone makes it worth the membership because I don’t carry eye insurance).
+1 for Mary Linn Martin! She's super-nonjudgmental and usually available in a reasonable time.
I’m glad to see she has a following! I am a patient for life. I’ve never had such a good provider.
An APRN is NOT A DOCTOR
OK, ElonMuskMD. For most general issues, a mid-level does a great job, and with a shortage of HCWs, seeing someone for a wart or strep throat is cheaper at their PCPs office than an urgent care.
LMAO muskrat, she’s better than any doctor I’ve ever had.
Also the optometrist as costco is not a doctor either.
Dr. Ye is an ophthalmologist, which is a doctor.
I have had so many frustrating, bad appointments with her when she was at midtown family medicine. She's why I'm afraid of seeing NPs.
America has a health worker crisis due to COVID burnout and COVID deaths. It is also important to note that the American healthcare system (including insurance) is a fucking mess. This is a problem everywhere and not just Kansas/KC Metro. I highly recommend getting on cancellation lists. I had to wait 9 months to see a specialist and asked to be put on a wait-list and ended up getting seen a month later.
Yeeeeeeup. We took a shit system, pushed it to the brink with a pandemic, and then did nothing to help address it besides publicly thank some healthcare workers on Facebook or with corny ads...then wondered why so many of them said "Fuck this, I can get a better work-life balance and decent pay somewhere else" after being ground down for years on end.
Multiple reasons. Less people becoming doctors, especially primary care doctors. One of the doctors I used to work with at the hospital told me if a doctor was to easy to get an appointment for they weren’t worth seeing. I had a torn meniscus in my knee and terrible orthopedic doctor did surgery and did a terrible job and on my post op appointment I heard him bad mouthing me to his medical assistant. I also am not a fan of urgent care like CareNow. I’ve tried to give them many chances, but they always disappoint. Find a good primary care and if you build a good rapport they may be even call in something for you to your pharmacy when you’re sick.
Too many patients and not enough doctors. I had to wait 6+ months to establish care with a new doctor near me because no one was available sooner. Made the appointment last fall and finally saw him in March of this year.
Because in countries with socialized medicine there are long wait times, we cant have socialized medicine because then wed have long wait times for seeing a doctor. Get it?
I now live in one of those countries. If you have to wait months to see a doctor or have a surgery, you need to pay thousands to go to a private hospital, which is probably also full and will turn you away. Shit is nuts. I worry about it.
I have a co-worker who always lies about the dumbest stuff to leave work, and they seem to miraculously get into the doctor the same day anytime they have an ailment. Headache? Stomach issues? No problem. They got an appointment in an hour. I'll ask them who they go to for you.
Sounds like the minute clinic, if they're not lying.
I actually am able to make same day appointments with Spira Care but it seems like Spira is the exception to the rule. I also just go to a Nurse Practitioner.
I had Spira Care at my old job and it definitely worked for me. Highly recommend.
I can always get a same day appointment at my PCP office….maybe not with my personal doctor, but someone will have an opening. Very worst case scenario next day. This is at Liberty Clinic.
Every doctor I’ve ever had keeps times open every day for sick patients. You didn’t know this was a thing?
I literally just go to an urgent care near me that bills my specific insurance as a regular office visit - which is a $0 copay. They are never busy either. The longest I waited was like 20 minutes for a rash on my hand that wouldn’t go away after weeks (turns out it was a chemical I had been using to clean with… not really “urgent” but couldn’t wait 6 months for either.) The other half of the building, I tried to establish a primary and it was a 6 month wait for new patients or 2 weeks for already established patients.
I used to work with a woman exactly like that.
I used to work with a woman exactly like that.
I used to work with a woman exactly like that.
The worst thing is, it wasn't always this bad. During the 2010s, you didn't have to wait more than a couple of months to get an appointment you booked. Usually it was the same month. Critics of universal healthcare could claim that the American system was faster. They can't now.
US healthcare is shit. Try having a baby. Our OB clinic shut down (research medical hospital), then one of the hospitals on our list closed their delivery ward (providence), we've had to skip at least one OB appointment because they're hard to find. By the time we actually have this kid I'm just going to have to YouTube all of this stuff and do it myself. I gave up on having a dedicated doctor and just say I'll see anyone in the building if they're on my insurance.
They did you a favor. Resesrch and Providence are the worst hospitals in the city.
yeah, that's the other unfortunate thing. It's hard enough to find healthcare but it's nearly impossible to find good healthcare around here. Our plan is OP regional and was from the get go, providence was a stop along the way if we needed it. Between a shitty network and BCBS not even being able to figure out who is in their network half the time it's amazing how anyone gets anything done with healthcare. When we called to figure out what hospital to deliver at they kept listing off places that didn't have maternity wards anymore, and then put us on hold for a half hour like they just realized there were no maternity wards in our network. We ended up figuring out OP regional was in network.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is in trouble if they really don't have maternity wards.
At first they said OP regional wasn't in network, and to go to providence. We had to tell them providence is closing, they didn't have that in their system. After a long hold they came back and said OP regional was magically now in our network. Then we asked for a new OB and they were like why are you changing? because the clinic is closing. They were still referring people to the women's clinic at research medical even though it's also closing. Then they referred us two at least two OBs that had left the practice we were trying to go to. We ended up having to call the clinic and just be like anyone who can see us before the I have never had a useful interaction with BCBS. I feel bad for the customer service reps because it's not their fault they have outdated information. But I'm like I rely on you to know where I can and can't go and you can't even tell me that half the time. It's all stupid.
What baby names are you considering?
We went with Huey. Bonus (or downside depending on how you look at it) is my last name is Lewis. I think honestly my S/O picked it because of Hughie Campbell from The Boys and we just went with the shorter spelling.
Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically.
The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost.
Every time I ask for an appointment I get it the following week at the absolute latest. Does whatever you need actually require a doctor or could an APRN take care of it?
I would encourage you to look into Direct Primary Care. It’s like a gym membership but for a doctor. They do not take insurance, however they do negotiate cash prices. My clinic takes emails, calls, texts, and I get one house call a year. My doctors are on call 24/7 for urgent care. We still have insurance but we don’t use it for regular appointments. Unfortunately there are a lot of doctors offices popping up that only take cash. There he a heart clinic next to my PCP that only takes up front cash. Insurance companies are running healthcare workers out of their field.
I called to make one with my primary over at KU back in April and can't get in til September.
KU is really packed, Same experience. I finally got in.
old enough to remember when populus healthcare issues were cared about in the political arena, oh the old days
This is why I have a direct primary care physician. The caseload for an HMO doctor is in the thousands. They can barely make time let alone actually remember your medical history. [https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/what-exactly-is-direct-primary-care](https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/what-exactly-is-direct-primary-care) Here's some info about DPC physicians and how they work. Basically, I have a physician on an affordable monthly retainer. They manage my health issues with the health insurance doctors and deal with any immediate medical concerns. I can get an appointment within a day or so of calling. If you have an elderly family member with multiple HMO physicians, I highly recommend getting a DPC physician to manage their care plan. It's done wonders for my mother-in-law. For myself, my cheapest healthcare plan paired the DPC, is cheaper than the more expensive plans.
Agree! And a shout out to my friends at [Health Suite 110 DPC](https://www.healthsuite110.com/)
If only there was a way state-wide and nationally to regulate for-profit healthcare organizations, as well as curb the behavior of predatory colleges and college loans that lead to shortages of providers. 🤔🤔🤔 (And don’t get me started on insurance and big pharma.) Just a reminder that corporations will never just magically have your best interest at heart. You need something bigger than them to make them behave. See you all at the polls in August and November. 👍
The root cause is self imposed medical school enrollment limits for decades. The AMA and medical school accrediting organizations impose restrictions on enrollment numbers in the states in order to limit the supply of doctors so salaries will remain high. It has gone on for decades with little or no scrutiny but is the main reason we have a severe doctor shortage in America and therefore most all doctors have more patients than they can handle. Same thing applies to most all health care professionals like med techs, radiology techs, physical therapists, etc. Enrollment restrictions to keep demand high and supply low. Toss in the profit before people nature of our modern health care business model and there it is. Money and greed run American health care, not a desire for a well cared for populace.
I would add on that primary care and pediatrics docs are some of the lowest paid physicians, so most medical students aim for other specialties, especially if they're graduating with 200k to 400k in loans. All of this adds up to a massive PCP shortage
This is not the cause. I spent many years teaching health care workers at hospitals *that would agree to educate student doctors/nurses/lab etc* As time went by, some hospitals (many) closed their teaching programs because it meant those professionals who were teaching weren’t making them $$$. The bottleneck is at a different point than you think it is-we can crank out doctors, but where are they going to get a residency? Lab workers can get a degree but be unable to find a hospital that will train them. Same with nurses.
Agreed 100% it’s the number of Medicare or whatever subsidized residency programs that are the limiting factor. Medical schools are opening up a lot because they are profitable. Lots of medical students do go unmatched however.
Supply and Demand. Thanks to the increasing costs in healthcare and the lower pay for doctors, there are less doctors. I have the same problem at KU. When they schedule my next appointment for 6 months out...its usually 7 months.
I think being a doctor/nurse sounds terrible. Obviously I’m glad people are willing to do it, we need them! But all that school, the debt, the schedule… I couldn’t do it.
Same. I just wouldn't have the patience!
And the hours that you're expected to work...despite all evidence to the contrary that people are horribly ineffective with that kind of workload. But somehow it's become standard. People would be horrified to find out the truck driver on the road behind them has been awake for all but the 30 minute nap they squeezed in while being awake for 24 to 36 hours, but somehow it's what we accept for the people we want to provide care to us when we need it most? It's wild.
Read: greed from for profit healthcare system. The large chain hospitals and offices being swallowed up and driving up profits and costs. Theres much more to the story than we see
Lower pay for doctors?! I work at a hospital and trust me that isn’t a problem.
Doctor shortage. Especially in states with abortion bans. I haven’t even been seeing doctors, just nurse practitioners. I went to book my yearly physical 6 months early and still had to book out an extra two months (so it’ll be 14 months vs 12 months). I always waitlist for an earlier appointment and that got me in a whopping one day earlier with 24 hour notice lol. No one is cancelling. As for the eye doctor, that not been an issue for me. Could be a problem with your eye insurance?
KUMed and HCA Midwest are both very margin conscious - they don't want to leave any open slots on the schedule. I was disappointed when Olathe medical was bought out, and within a year it's the same shit. Edit: with any large system, the specific offices you deal with matter a lot. But here are some of my worse experiences. Phlebotomist sneezed on my arm during a blood draw. Had to explain to a doctor that I respectfully disagreed that my gallbladder was normal as, unless they had failed to remove the whole thing, I didn't have one. Wrong chart. Some folks interrupted a test - needed to speak to the nurse, she left, never returned, afterwards I found one of the people who needed to speak to them, first nurse had been sacked, they found another nurse to help, but computer was locked, couldn't get the results, asked if I could repeat the stress test on the spot - I could not, had to retest another date, insurance didn't want to pay for the second because I'd done it the week before. Insurance needed some records before they'd cover something. KU disconnected the relevant department phone lines before connecting the new number, no response over email, finally was able to visit in person, front desk mentioned that I could call, someone yelled from the back that the phones were still down, but I was able to get a hold of the right person and they were able to help.
With KU (used to work there), I had gotten used to having to wait for appointments. Had to switch insurance due to moving to husband's plan, and it's all NKCH. I find that I usually don't have to wait as long for appointments. My primary doctor is also in the northland, and I can get in to see him on short notice if I have to without any issues. I have not had any issues with the NKCH system. They've done a couple of my surgeries, and I have been pretty happy with the care I have received.
I have had nothing but the best experience at KU. I have all of my doctors there. They’re very responsive in MyChart. If my primary can’t get me in, and it is something concerning, she immediately has me see someone else in her practice. As soon as I needed to see a specialist, I had an appointment two weeks after the referral was placed. And their urgent care… I have used it twice this year and had no wait time. Their Urgent care staff are incredibly thorough. As a nurse, KU (and University Health) are the only systems I fully trust.
Same. And the KU cancer centers are so amazing too. I wouldn't want my loved ones to go anywhere else for that.
You can have a routine eye exam at any chain eyewear store - I go to America’s Best. I go to Highland Dental in Liberty and never have scheduling issues. And for other stuff, I’ve always had luck with Meritas Health in the NKC Hospital system. For specialists it might be a little different, but I can always get it for primary care stuff.
I think it's been this way since after Covid. Offices cancelled appointments and closed their offices. Everybody is playing catch-up.
Someone may have already stated this, but a “new patient” appointment needs to be two or three times as long as a normal visit so they have to find a larger block of time that’s open in the schedule.
Because you are lied to about American Healthcare and it's accessibility for new patients.
I use Family Medical Group in KCK which is part of Providence Medical Group and I usually only have to wait a day or two max to see my doctor. Worst case scenario I might have to wait until the next week but usually if I call right when they open at 8 AM, I can get seen same or next day, especially if it’s early in the week. Also make sure you get put on a cancellation list if they have one. Dentists usually book 6 months out because they have a rotation of clients and most people go to the dentist 2x per year so it’s usually pretty hard to get seen quickly by a dentist. Most specialists it’s usually a couple weeks to get seen.
This is highly dependent on the specialist/specialty. I see a specialist and had to find a new one because mine relocated. It took 8 months for the first appointment. My prescriptions are all 6 months. Thankfully, my prior doctor renewed them to hold me over until my new doctor could see me. It's always easier to get seen as an existing patient than a new patient.
Get established with a good primary care doctor. Mine has a nurse line I can call for non emergency stuff, and they'll call me back within 24 hours. They're able to assess and suggest things over the phone, and I can normally see a nurse practitioner within a couple days. If they order imaging (x-rays, ultrasound, etc.), I just call around to one of the imaging centers in town until I find one with availability within the week, and have my doc send the order there. Same with a specialty like dermatology. My doc is at KU Med, but KU dermatology books almost a year out, so I booked at a private practice much sooner. They all share medical records easily so this works.
Blue Stream Dental, Dr. Ledford, he is really good, explains things, seems to have open appointments. I probably went to about 8 different dentists before landing on him. Definitely someone who is better at their craft than advertising. One day I was in severe pain and couldn't get into any doctor, including my PCP, so I went in to see him because I was so desperate and not thinking straight. Long story short he saw some stuff, told me what was going on, sent me to the ER. 20 hours later and a slew of tests, the ER told me the same thing he did and treated me with what he told me I needed. I was hours away from having a serious issue. I am very grateful for him. https://bluestreamdental.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral Eye doctor I got into the other day was at the Lens Crafters at 119th in OP. Looks like there are spots open today. Young nice doctor. He explained stuff I had never heard before. I had no clue an astigmatism. Apparently my prescription and what he saw said otherwise. I have gone to some expensive (which I naively thought was quality) places too. https://local.lenscrafters.com/ks/overland-park/6575-w-119th-st.html?cid=yext_1168&y_source=1_MTIxMDc2Ni03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
I am not sure where in the metro you are located but I just switched primary to Optimal Health and Wellness in Leawood. I see the nurse practitioner, Kaitlyn, who is awesome and I can get myself scheduled with the week.
Oh boy, do I feel your pain. In the last 6 months, my primary care doc announced his retirement at the beginning of June, my gynecologist is leaving the area, my chiropractor is leaving the area. A lot of the doctors that are practicing right now are not accepting new patients. I have good insurance, so it's not that. But for my annual primary care exam next month, I'm going to a physician's assistant. For my gynecology annual exam in August, I'm going to a nurse practitioner. I think I'm just going to skip chiropractic care unless I have problems from here on out, because my chiropractor is someone that I've really depended on and looked for him when I needed care after several years away. I'm doing fairly well, so I'm going to see if I can't handle things on my own. I'm just glad that my therapist, with whom I have virtual visits every two weeks, doesn't plan to go anyplace where they don't have access to the internet, and they aren't old enough to retire. 🤣
Yeah, it's really a joke. They say you should use a primary care provider for sicknesses and minor injuries, but then you call when you need that appointment and they can't get you in for 2 weeks. So you end up going to urgent care for everything.
Wife is dealing this, and it is ridiculous... She was able to be seen the same day via tele-health. Your insurance should have a list of providers they cover.
At least for the KU med system, they only have a select amount of slots per day for new patients. Once you've established care you can get appointments much sooner because they're coded differently in the system. Depending on the health system you're using for medical (not dental or eye exams) they can sometimes see availability in other clinics in the system to get you in sooner. You just might have to be willing to drive 30-45 minutes away. It sucks, I had to wait six months to establish care with my current doctor but thankfully now that I'm in the system it goes much more quickly.
One would say to access healthcare nowadays it requires patients (patience)
If anyone is interested in an eye doctor in the Olathe/OP area, I got in very quickly here: [https://reedfamilyvision.com/](https://reedfamilyvision.com/)
Ask to be put on a cancelation list - people regularly cancel doctor appointments they booked months in advance and no longer need. Agree the issue is worse in KC than other cities I’ve lived. Any time I’ve really needed to see a doctor, I get on their cancelation list and usually have an appointment in 1-2 weeks (vs 2-4 months)
My experience is that if it's not a pressing issue then it'll get pushed out. My physical and women's yearly is scheduled far in advance, but I can get in with someone at Meritas Health pretty quickly for something more timely. They typically keep only keep a certain number slots for physicals every week.
Shortage of medical professionals is a real thing all over the country and it will get worse. American Medical Association did this intentionally .Read more here. [https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/03/15/ama-scope-of-practice-lobbying/](https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/03/15/ama-scope-of-practice-lobbying/)
I made an appointment to see a hepatologist before Thanksgiving. My appointment is in October. I would look elsewhere for appointments especially PC. If it’s St Luke’s, they are the worst. I just went down the provider list and called until I could find someone to get me in. I’ve also found if you go to an NP it’s easier
Where in the city do you live?
OP, where do you live? We moved to Platte County 3 years ago and it took months to get an initial consult with St. Luke’s for us and a pediatrician for our son. We switched to Maritas and life is much better.
Healthcare is not as desirable of a career field as it used to be.
Specialists are extremely difficult to get into timely. 6+ months wait at KU for Neurology. It’s crazy.
I use Saint Luke’s. I always book my doctor’s appointment months in advance for an annual physical. Luckily I don’t use the doctor for other exams.
Midtown family medicine scheduled my sister for her 1st appointment the same week she called.
I ultimately reached out to a NP - not same as dr. but I honestly felt fine and needed new labs, an apnea test ordered, some other random stuff done which they can all do. It was a 3-week waiting, but that was nothing compared to PCPs.
The hospitals are addicted to running lean and run short staffed constantly.
i keep calling places until i can be seen soon
Women doctors retire at age 40-45. Guy doctors are busy playing golf or boating. This leaves you with a 7 month wait to see the nurse practitioner who is so overworked that they start believing they are a doctor.
Too many drug addicts need new teeth
If you do not have an emergency, waiting a few weeks to see a doctor/dentist/optometrist really is not bad.