I am fairly new to BE and this Support Group.
What I have learned so far is that unless your pumonologist is well educated on all aspects of Bronchiectasis with many Bronchiectasis patients, you may not need an ID doctor, however, Dr. Elizabeth Ann O'Donnell from Georgetown University in The World Bronchiectasis webinar indicates it is wise to have an ID doctor on your medical team. I just secured an appointment with an ID doctor locally, and especially since my Pulmonologist who specializes in Bronchiectasis is in a Bronchiectasis program out of state. I personally will be glad to have him, the ID doctor, as a part of my medical care. This particular ID doctor I have contacted, from what I have learned, has other BE, Bronchiectasis patients. Too many pulmonologists from what I have learned and heard are not as informed and enlightened about Bronchiectasis in general and not well schooled on how to go about treatment for MAC etc. That is what I have come to learn and understand about the pulmonologists locally and of those not associated with specialized Bronchiectasis programs. However there are, from what I have read in this group, individuals who have found pulmonologists who are well educated, informed and have up to date knowledge on BE. I also have learned in the past few years with my trying to find out what was wrong with me, (Bronchiectasis) I prefer seeing specialists well educated in the specific health problem I am having and I have interpreted rightly or wrongly that Medicare is O.K. with that per my working through Medicare...at least so far no problems seeing specialists. You might also like to go to the page in this Mayo Connect that talks about Pulmonologist vs Infectious Disease Doctor. Hope this gives you food for thought.... for what it is worth.