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Can't get an appointment: Any tips on what to do?
Over a year trying to get an appointment, Scottsdale/Phoenix. I have two issues that may or may not be related. 5 'regular' doctors and 2 years later reveals what are likely lumbar spinal issues, but none of them can account for an issue in my left abdominal area. Last Doc I saw sent referral to Mayo, April 2020. Mayo says 2-3 years to establish primary care. I asked for an appt (internal medicine, interns, anyone at this point) for a comprehensive physical, to basically start over, but I keep getting rejected. I don't understand.
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Mayo used to be the go to but medical professionals in a nutshell, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Years ago you had one doctor for the whole family and now if you have an earache you first need to schedule an appointment with your primary. After they stick it to your insurance company, then they tell you they can't do anything but give you a referral. Boom, insurance company gets it again.. then you need a follow up or a consultation.. the whole system is working against us
I have had the same problem!
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1 ReactionMy daughter lives in phoenix. I was thi king of moving there. Same thing. No pcp anywhere. No specialists available even with a referral from Rochester. And I would have to change insurance. I live in Rochester and volunteer at the clinic. Long time patient. None of that matters. Probably not moving. Now I know why so many patients from AZ come to Rochester. No new patients. Good luck.
Off topic but you're better off in NY. I moved here from NJ a decade ago to get away from the deterioration of its society and I've watched the Phoenix area fall victim to the same demise. I've lived in Scottsdale since day one and the cancer has even spread here as well.. lower living standards, higher crime, a homeless epidemic, kidnappings etc.. it basically turned into California.
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1 ReactionI have severe lower left quadrant abdominal pain for a variety of reasons. Visceral hypersensitivity, nerve pain, ovarian pain, possibly subtle vascular issues (from Barral Institute trained PT, not seen on many CTs or ultrasound) adhesions, endometriosis. If you suspect GI, consider a neurogastroenterolgist and GI psychiatrist (prescribed neuromodilatinf meds), internal medicine, a skilled pelvic PT who has advanced abdominal soft tissue training (Barrall is the best I've found). I also see interventional anesthesiology.
I have been referred 4 times and have been denied each time. Ver frustrated
I tried to go to Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale for Bronchiectasis. They turned me down. Not sure why. So I am going to National Jewish Health in Denver. I live in Scottsdale, so Mayo would be much easier. Roz
Interesting view about the state I love and call home. But now I may see why my area is in a housing boom. I live south of Phoenix about 50 miles (72 miles to Mayo) in a small town (but growing) called Florence. Love living here its got the small-town feel. Never liked cities anyway.
Im also a Mayo patient as I was referred there due to needing a heart transplant. A local Cardiologist set it up back in 2017 and I got seen right away. I do know every time I go for my check-ups it seems pretty busy and they are finishing up a major expansion this past year. They are joining in with the University of Arizona and they are building a building next door so I'm guessing maybe they will be able to handle more patients going forward. Based on the School it may become a research center more now than in the past. But it seems the easiest way to get an appointment is with a referral form another Doctor who specializes in you particular problem. Not sure what the criteria is as my initial acceptance was as an inpatient after being transferred from another heart hospital in the Phoenix Area.
But as for living in Phoenix I can defiantly recommend the other parts of the state are very welcoming and Ive lived here in this area since 1998 and love the people and the area. BTW I also moved here from New England and find it much easier to live here finically than Rhode Island.
I’ve been on the BMS Patient Assistance Program over the last year which expires in October. I’m retired and like all of us can not afford the $8000 plus per month. The upper income criteria for the program is 1.5 the poverty level. With the cost of the med this hardly seems reasonable. They talk about the new $2000 cap on drug payments, but as I understand it, this only applies if your Plan D company has Camzyos on its formulary, of which I have found none. Signed “Frustrated in Florida” 🥴
I’ve heard of some folks getting in via the ER for acute symptoms. Otherwise my understanding is that you need to be referred by a Mayo Referring Physician. Perhaps calling Mayo to help locate one would be helpful. Good luck!