I couldn't agree more. As someone working in a doctor office setting and lately became an insurance broker, and trying to help my Vietnamese clients making dr appointment, it's extremely hard. Some big cities like Houston, El Paso, the wait times are relatively shorter. But for those cities like Corpus Christi TX, or Baton Rouge (LA), it's just insane. It just took forever just to talk to someone/the front desk/office scheduler, like almost an hour (in some Baton Rouge areas, as most of them are under Baton Rouge General Medical Center group). And yes, you'll expect to make 5-10 calls on average. And ironically, some PCP offices won't even put you on the calendar if you don't have their doctor's name set up as PCP on your marketplace insurance. Then when you call the insurance to set it up, some said they cannot do it unless you have a dr's appt already scheduled. It's just going back and forth like that. Thank you Dr Bricker for a very informative video!
Great video! It confirms what I experienced a few months ago. I was so frustrated trying to make an appointment with a endodentist. So many calls I made while I was in pain. Yes I heard Boston is terrible.
These videos are very helpful for a very small private practice like mine. Dr. Bricker, did you find data for the mental health wait times in your research for this video? Sincerely, A psychiatrist
I live in California. My primary doctor referred me to an audiologist. My appointment was more than 1 year out. My GI consultation for preventative colonoscopy was 6 months out, but then got pushed another 2 months out because the doctor left. It’s a problem for sure. Thank goodness I am relatively healthy!
In sacramento, before you can even make an appointment most practices and the large medical centers require a referral from primary care regardless if your ppo/hmo. And how long do you think it takes to get that initial primary care appointment. My dermatology and urology were scheduled for 6-7 months and both required referrals.
2:08 makes me laugh a little bit. We have an IPA that refuses to score our office correctly on this because 3rd available is always still same day. Even if they ask for something not today, it's tomorrow. We maintain a portion of our schedule for urgent add-ons. This IPA is convinced that the 3rd available needs to be weeks out.
Navigating healthcare is hard enough, many patients will also have a tough time knowing whether to go to their PCP or directly to a specialty. The latter option unfortunately means a higher chance of an unnecessary intervention. The former means you'll get seen by someone who may not be able to do much for you and you have to still suffer through the phone tree to get a specialty appointment. The private practice PCPs, usually the cash-based ones, offer a better system where they can get their own patients into specialties directly and more importantly they can handle most of what a specialist can do.
What is the answer to the issue? More Docters with better pay, less "for profit" companies like OPTUM and more original Medicare rules? I believe big Pharma owns the whole operation from start to finish. It seems to me we are all trapped in an endless cycle. A timely appointment with a specialist could mean extended quality of life for many.
Thank you
Thank you for watching.
I couldn't agree more. As someone working in a doctor office setting and lately became an insurance broker, and trying to help my Vietnamese clients making dr appointment, it's extremely hard. Some big cities like Houston, El Paso, the wait times are relatively shorter. But for those cities like Corpus Christi TX, or Baton Rouge (LA), it's just insane. It just took forever just to talk to someone/the front desk/office scheduler, like almost an hour (in some Baton Rouge areas, as most of them are under Baton Rouge General Medical Center group). And yes, you'll expect to make 5-10 calls on average. And ironically, some PCP offices won't even put you on the calendar if you don't have their doctor's name set up as PCP on your marketplace insurance. Then when you call the insurance to set it up, some said they cannot do it unless you have a dr's appt already scheduled. It's just going back and forth like that. Thank you Dr Bricker for a very informative video!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you, it was useful and informative
Thank you for watching and for your feedback.
Incredibly insightful, thank you again Dr. Bricker!!!
Thank you for watching.
Great video! It confirms what I experienced a few months ago. I was so frustrated trying to make an appointment with a endodentist. So many calls I made while I was in pain. Yes I heard Boston is terrible.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience.
Great video Dr. Bricker!
Heads up - something is going on with your audio. Lots of high pitched ringing throughout 😅
Thank you for letting me know.
great info. I didn't hear you say or see it listed anywhere but per the survey report, this was for NEW patient appts for a patient WITH insurance.
Correct. Thank you for watching.
These videos are very helpful for a very small private practice like mine. Dr. Bricker, did you find data for the mental health wait times in your research for this video?
Sincerely,
A psychiatrist
Good question. No. Not a part of the survey unfortunately.
I live in California. My primary doctor referred me to an audiologist. My appointment was more than 1 year out. My GI consultation for preventative colonoscopy was 6 months out, but then got pushed another 2 months out because the doctor left. It’s a problem for sure. Thank goodness I am relatively healthy!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
In sacramento, before you can even make an appointment most practices and the large medical centers require a referral from primary care regardless if your ppo/hmo. And how long do you think it takes to get that initial primary care appointment. My dermatology and urology were scheduled for 6-7 months and both required referrals.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
2:08 makes me laugh a little bit. We have an IPA that refuses to score our office correctly on this because 3rd available is always still same day. Even if they ask for something not today, it's tomorrow. We maintain a portion of our schedule for urgent add-ons. This IPA is convinced that the 3rd available needs to be weeks out.
Oh my! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Navigating healthcare is hard enough, many patients will also have a tough time knowing whether to go to their PCP or directly to a specialty. The latter option unfortunately means a higher chance of an unnecessary intervention. The former means you'll get seen by someone who may not be able to do much for you and you have to still suffer through the phone tree to get a specialty appointment. The private practice PCPs, usually the cash-based ones, offer a better system where they can get their own patients into specialties directly and more importantly they can handle most of what a specialist can do.
Thank you for your comment.
How does making online appts and more widespread telehealth visits change this?
Helps with more minor issues like bladder infections.
@@ahealthcarez Interesting. I would think Psychiatry and PCP would increase access to care heavily and decrease wait times significantly.
What is the answer to the issue? More Docters with better pay, less "for profit" companies like OPTUM and more original Medicare rules? I believe big Pharma owns the whole operation from start to finish. It seems to me we are all trapped in an endless cycle. A timely appointment with a specialist could mean extended quality of life for many.
All good questions. Direct Primary Care is a start, IMO.
Dear i am phermacy healthcare i am expraysed