My dentist, PCP, and ophthalmologist all retired within the same year. My goal…to pick new ones who are about the same age as my eldest child…and that’s what I found!
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My PCP of 20+ years left with only a few months notice. Finding a new PCP with some experience was extremely difficult. Newly minted MD’s were available, but I wanted someone with at least 5+ years experience, with decent reviews (personal or online), who knew local specialists, clinics and hospitals well enough to make wise referrals if needed.
Web links were inaccurate, noting PCPs were taking new patients, but when called, were not. After numerous calls, I explained the dilemma to a call representative, who kindly recommended an MD she knew who was in the process of switching practices to a new system. Many of his patients could not follow due to insurance coverage, so she thought he might accept new patients. It worked!
I was thankful traditional Medicare, allowed full choice to whatever system, group, or PCP I chose (that accepted Medicare), and I could keep former specialists in other systems.
For immediate needs (infections, sprains, etc.), we use Urgent Care.
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Some doctors accept new patients, but not if Medicare/MA. About 20 years ago, my retired mother moved to another state for a few years and the returned to Colorado. She was delighted that her beloved PCP (who later retired) accepted her back. Otherwise they were not taking new Medicare patients.
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Interesting you say that. My husband just turned 65, and now Medicare is his primary insurance. He/we debated taking Medicare part B, because we weren’t eager to have Medicare be primary. I have 2 years to decide, so will pay attention to how things go for him. We have retired federal employee insurance, so fairly reasonable rates, which I can continue to pay and NOT take Medicare part B. BUT, if I don’t take it at 65, I pay a penalty forever for each year I choose not to take it.
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We went ahead with bc/bs fep and took medicare part B. Its cost is based on income tax filing- not earned income. I refused part D as it was covered and did not need another means test. I do pay a copay. Seriously all this could change in a flash.
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I am not being political, but one thing I worry about is someone deciding all retired feds must do Medicare, and pay the penalty, so getting both (reducing BC/BS to lower option) seems the least risky decision. Someone could decide retirees can’t participate in the FEHB plan at some point, I’m assuming. So better to be doubly covered.
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We counted up the professionals H sees: hematologist, 2 ENTs, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, urologist, radiation oncologist, physiatrist, Ophthamologist, PT, plus internist. I’m feeling like getting a geriatrician to help us would be helpful. H is not opposed. On the other hand, he’s not taking many Rx, so no polypharmacy at this time. Maybe H will speak with internist about this when he sees her in December—his 2nd visit with her. We like new internist—she’s observant and listens well. H still misses his old internist who retired and died of leukemia too young.
I see 2 lung docs (SF & HNL), a cardiology APRN, Ophthamologist and internist. I have also met with a lung transplant coordinator and lung transplant assistant director, but we seem to agree that I’m too healthy (yay).
We also have BCBS FEHB as H is retired annuitant plus we all have Medicare A&B. We figured belt & suspenders is more protective and it has come in handy when we have expensive Rx and it’s covered well under FEHB drug plan! We have no illusions that FEHB is necessarily a “forever” option but we are glad to have it. The premium for the family plan isn’t outrageous and gives us peace of mind and covers both of us and our disabled dependent.
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I saw a geriatrician 10 years ago for awhile. It was great. He scheduled visits every 3 months which was really helpful. I moved and got a new PCP I don’t like- too directive- and instead see a nurse practitioner who knows me well. So now I am reluctant to leave him. He and the other NP I like both worked in the “wild West” of COVID and are now p/t. If they aren’t there, I go to urgent care.
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My old PCP before I moved to another state, was a geriatrician. I started seeing her probably in my 50s. She was great, very thorough, and had a great group of Nurse Practitioners in her practice. When I told her the endocrinologist was pushing for me to take drugs, she said take vitamin D instead. When I had aches in my sciatica and shoulder she said do yoga (which did wonders for me, and I still do yoga regularly). I wish I could find somebody like her in my new state.
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Labor Day weekend is an interesting concept in retirement, eh? (We joke with friends that every week is six Saturdays and a Sunday.)
Doing anything fun?
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Finishing the update of 2 bathrooms. I didn’t remodel but had a handyman update them so that they both have new toilets, new contemporary pedestal sink in one and new granite vanity top in another - new framed mirrors, contemporary lighting, new hardware on sinks, towel bars/holders, new rain shower bath hardware, new vanity door handles, new towels and mats and wall decor. A refresh/update is 1/10 of a remodel and makes all the difference in the world in appearance. Happy with the 2 updates…I need to do another bathroom soon and save for my master bath which will cost a fortune, even for the update. It just feels good! 
Oh, and fresh paint as well.
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My mom and I go to the same PCP. She is young and very responsible. Last week after my mom’s emergency room visit she called me to have a lengthy discussion about my mom’s condition. She also doesn’t make me go in to see her all the time. I literally said to her that if she should leave the practice we would want to leave with her.
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We attended services at a new church, which doesn’t sound “fun”, but we are looking for a new place to worship. Much friendlier than our old church, much larger, larger range of ages. It is finally beautiful weather here, low humidity, temps in the 70’s so will probably get outside for some yard work. Holiday weekends are just like the rest of them!
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I am taking advantage of a post Labor Day discount and spending 3 nights in a hotel near my favorite museum (MassMOCA). I am between rentals so what the heck! I have never done this before by myself, always with one of the kids, and always for one night. I am in a nice fluffy bed, soak in a deep tub, go down for an exquisite breakfast, and will soon head out to the museum. Wish I could move in permanently!
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That sound fabulous, compmom! Good for you!
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Hope you had a good time.
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We are, like some of you, a little perplexed about how to get the right medical coverage. We live in the Boston area with phenomenal hospitals and doctors. Without connections, it often takes quite a while to get appointments with the best specialists and even mediocre ones. I had good connections – was a consultant to the executive leadership of one of the major hospital networks and a friend/colleague of the CEO of the other and the CEO of a hospital, but these connections are aging out.
We were not really happy with the PCPs we had and a decade or so ago, we switched to a concierge physician. However, we’ve noticed a few things that are causing you to think about switching, but we are not sure to what. First, the cost has gone up dramatically. Second, the original allure was that the concierge doc would have a small panel of patients and would be carefully paying attention to each. Third, the concierge doc would pay attention to the whole patient (e.g. be a bit more holistic).
What has happened is the concierge doc seems to have increased the number of patients in the practice and added a (very good) NP and several assistants who help with things like insurance (want Zepbound – they will find the way to get it covered if it can be and will find the cheapest pharmacy to get it from). We find that PCPs role in Boston is to be the referrer to specialists. Our PCP can often get us to very good specialists quickly. The specialists are hyper-focused on the system on which they are specialized. But then the PCP defers to the specialist so no one is taking the holistic view.
Case in point. I have had chronic back problems for decades. I’ve worked with a PT as a personal trainer and a chiropractor who is more holistic (and very knowledgeable). I also have been having symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, swelling in my lower legs, and leg cramps at night that. The PT and chiropractor last year said they thought, after 12 years, that they had done all they could do and I should consider surgery. The concierge doc also thought that if I could get a good 10 years from surgery and remain active, it would make sense. I saw the head of back surgery at one of Boston’s major hospitals (got a quick appointment through a hospital CEO friend), the head of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery at another (just called for an appointment), and the head of Spinal and Neurological Surgery at a third hospital (just called and had to wait a few months for an appointment). I picked the third (in part because his plan seemed the most thoughtful and in part because the chiropractor said he was the most creative and handled the hardest cases). I had the surgery just after labor day and am now recovering. The concierge doc has not checked in once.
The chiropractor said he thought that the back surgery could help with the leg cramps and possibly with some of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The concierge doc never connected any of these – just sent me to specialists for each one. So far, the leg cramps are completely gone. The peripheral neuropathy is there but maybe a bit diminished. And so far, the swelling in my lower legs is gone or dramatically diminished.
Like @HImom, we see a host of specialists. Dermatologist, cardiologist, neurologist, nephrologist, allergist, pulmonologist, urologist (I think), opthalmologist, and probably others (when we had knee and hernia surgeries, etc.).
I feel like we get a patchwork of great care with no holistic vision at a high cost. We can probably reduce the cost by replacing the concierge doc with a PCP at the organization where ShawD works as medical director of a couple of primary care clinics. But, they are not staffed in the same way and we will have to handle insurance issues that are currently handled by the concierge doc’s staff. Fortunately, I have an EA who can probably do most of that, but the rest will fall on me. I don’t see how to get someone with the whole patient view. Would that be a geriatrician?
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@Shawbridge, I feel your pain.
Just a snarky reply: Welcome to the American health care system.
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This was a reassurance to me that I haven’t joined us to one of the Boston concierge practices! I’m not sure there’s a way to get better care than you’re already getting, @shawbridge
@fretfulmother, I have a friend/colleague who is really happy with his concierge doc. Was very holistic when coordinating care when my friend had cancer and got an experimental hormone treatment that eliminated the cancer. Alas, that practice is closed (we’re on the waiting list). But we do not feel the same way about ours.
For stuff like the back surgery, I suspect my surgery was done by one of the best surgeons in the world and the hospital care was superb. That is the advantage, I think, of living in a place like Boston.
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