Primary Care & Family Physicians

[BWillie]

What are the point of these doctors? They are almost always in my experience a waste of time. 95% of the time I know what kind of specialist I need to go to. I have to go to one of these people to tell me they don't know what it is either, and to go here. Then they charge me $500 for doing absolutely nothing. And the specialist typically won't see you unless you get a referral.

Imagine going to a primary care mechanic who doesn't actually do anything for your car. You have a flat tire, you tow your car there and they go. Oh shit man, you have a flat tire. You are gonna have to go to a tire place for that. Well no fucking shit. Okay well thanks for coming, pay us $500 and the tow bill and then we'll allow you to tow your car to Discount Tire.

[O.city]

Because dipshits read online what they think they have and wanna schedule directly with a specialist when thats not what they need to do and it wastes the specialist time.

[KCUnited]

Congrats on getting your transition surgery referral

[BigBeauford]

It's all in service of cost control. Specialists cost more money and the insurance company needs authorization from a lower level that you do indeed need this higher level of care. Otherwise people would self diagnose and clog up appointments.

[Buehler445]

Because dipshits read online what they think they have and wanna schedule directly with a specialist when thats not what they need to do and it wastes the specialist time.

This.

Also they do the annual labs/checks/screening etc.

[luv]

What's been mentioned already, plus it's a central point of contact. If you're going to different specialists for different things, then they need to be able to have a point of contact they can refer to in order to make sure they don't prescribe the same meds or meds that would not play well with a med you might be on for a different condition.

My mom sees a heart specialist, a kidney specialist, whoever handles diabetes, etc. She is constantly changing meds or doses, and she always has to check with her PCP.

[htismaqe]

As luv said, your PC is your central point of contact. Your PC is your contractor and the specialists are subcontractors. Your PC is managing your overall health. If you just go to specialists, you don't have anybody looking at the big picture, you have a bunch of doctors operating in a vacuum.

[oldman]

What all the above said. Your PCP charges $500? A visit to mine is billed at $200 (KC metro) and insurance covers all but $20. That co-pay was even waived during the COVID crisis. I have 2 specialists, heart and ortho, and they ae in the same system so they can see what the big picture is.

[007]

What pisses me off is the fact PCPs don't even have time for their own patients and they put you with an APRN then charge you the same price.

[htismaqe]

What pisses me off is the fact PCPs don't even have time for their own patients and they put you with an APRN then charge you the same price.

This is true.

I actually had a physical with my PC this morning. He listened to my chest, felt my neck, looked at my ENT, and then passed me off to lab for blood work. He spent a whole 10 minutes with me.

[EPodolak]

One great way to navigate the health care system is to take care of yourself in the first place.

[BWillie]

One great way to navigate the health care system is to take care of yourself in the first place.

I always get growths. Because I'm going to die of cancer someday. We all do in my family. Just a matter of time.

I had a skin growth, knew I needed to go to a Dermatologist. Went to primary care, they didn't know what it was. Referred me to Dermatologist who sliced it open and gave me antibiotics that day. Problem solved.

I had a gum growth in my mouth, had to go to primary care. They had no idea what it was. Had to go to an oral surgeon who then scheduled removal to take it out.

I got an eye ulcer thing. Had to go to a ophthalmologist. Wow Imagine that! They basically prescribed some medicine don't remember what and scraped it off.

Now I have enlarged lymph nodes on my neck, probably from the Covid-19 vaccine but they aren't going away after a month. So I need to go to a cancer doc to see if I have lymphoma or not. Dad died of lymphoma so don't want to take any chances.

Just sick and tired of wasting money going to doctors who don't do anything.

[DaneMcCloud]

Okay well thanks for coming, pay us $500 and the tow bill and then we'll allow you to tow your car to Discount Tire.

Are you uninsured?

And no, Primary Care Doctors are not worthless. Even doctors have their own primary care physicians.

[Mennonite]

I'm with the OP on this one. Almost totally worthless. There are some doctors in my little town that are dangerously incompetent.

[EPodolak]

I always get growths. Because I'm going to die of cancer someday. We all do in my family. Just a matter of time.

I had a skin growth, knew I needed to go to a Dermatologist. Went to primary care, they didn't know what it was. Referred me to Dermatologist who sliced it open and gave me antibiotics that day. Problem solved.

I had a gum growth in my mouth, had to go to primary care. They had no idea what it was. Had to go to an oral surgeon who then scheduled removal to take it out.

I got an eye ulcer thing. Had to go to a ophthalmologist. Wow Imagine that! They basically prescribed some medicine don't remember what and scraped it off.

Now I have enlarged lymph nodes on my neck, probably from the Covid-19 vaccine but they aren't going away after a month. So I need to go to a cancer doc to see if I have lymphoma or not. Dad died of lymphoma so don't want to take any chances.

Just sick and tired of wasting money going to doctors who don't do anything.

I get it, and sounds like you're paying out of pocket for PCP visits. Do you see a single PCP and do they know your history? If so more likely they'd give direct referrals. What about visits remotely through something like teledoc instead? Saves time and possibly $.

[DaneMcCloud]

This is true.

I actually had a physical with my PC this morning. He listened to my chest, felt my neck, looked at my ENT, and then passed me off to lab for blood work. He spent a whole 10 minutes with me.

Wow, and I thought health care was rushed and difficult in SoCal.

It can take forever to get an appointment with a specialist here and one office I spoke with in December said that they could fit me in next August. But I can see my Primary Doctor, who's an Internist, any time.

I've never felt rushed and if anything, it's always been the exact opposite. I'll arrive at 8:55 for a 9am appointment but for some reason, have never waited less than 45 minutes to see him. He's close to my age and he's great. He even gave me a big hug when I saw him in November!

I will say that having a Primary Care physician that you actually like means everything.

[BWillie]

Are you uninsured?

And no, Primary Care Doctors are not worthless. Even doctors have their own primary care physicians.

No just high deductible plan and HSA.

[DaFace]

My PCP is pretty easy to reach via email, so I don't mind the system at all. I usually just email her and ask if it makes sense to come in for an appointment with her or if she should just refer me on. Works fine.

[Monticore]

My wife is a Family Doctor, who also does ER, Hospitalist, Coroner, Long term care, so has a wide variety of skills and experience she uses in her office, she does excision/biopsy , including uterine, She inserts IUD/pessary fitting, does tongue tie release ,Paracentesis , chest tubes/intubations, Hypnosis, counselling among a bunch of other things I can't think of right now.

so pretty much useless

[DaneMcCloud]

No just high deductible plan and HSA.

You should definitely upgrade your health plan.

Once you hit 45, shit changes rapidly.

[BWillie]

You should definitely upgrade your health plan.

Once you hit 45, shit changes rapidly.

If I had less in my HSA maybe. I have a ton of money in my HSA and my out of pocket max is like 8k so not a big deal at the present time. But yeah I probably will eventually.

[htismaqe]

My PCP is pretty easy to reach via email, so I don't mind the system at all. I usually just email her and ask if it makes sense to come in for an appointment with her or if she should just refer me on. Works fine.

All of my providers have online portals. I can send them a message and get a response in a couple of hours without ever leaving my desk.

[DaneMcCloud]

If I had less in my HSA maybe. I have a ton of money in my HSA and my out of pocket max is like 8k so not a big deal at the present time. But yeah I probably will eventually.

Well, knowing your family history is a good start, so you can prepare yourself for what's to come.

Don't fool yourself, either, because it's coming.

[htismaqe]

Wow, and I thought health care was rushed and difficult in SoCal.

It can take forever to get an appointment with a specialist here and one office I spoke with in December said that they could fit me in next August. But I can see my Primary Doctor, who's an Internist, any time.

I've never felt rushed and if anything, it's always been the exact opposite. I'll arrive at 8:55 for a 9am appointment but for some reason, have never waited less than 45 minutes to see him. He's close to my age and he's great. He even gave me a big hug when I saw him in November!

I will say that having a Primary Care physician that you actually like means everything.

The issue here is just a shortage of healthcare professionals. Rural healthcare is suffering financially.

[DaneMcCloud]

All of my providers have online portals. I can send them a message and get a response in a couple of hours without ever leaving my desk.

I have that with the UCLA Health system, along with Video Visits, and it's so awesome and convenient, not to mention that it beats the hell out of sitting in traffic for 3 hours to see a doctor on the westside.

[htismaqe]

I have that with the UCLA Health system, along with Video Visits, and it's so awesome and convenient, not to mention that it beats the hell out of sitting in traffic for 3 hours to see a doctor on the westside.

Yeah, my physical today was the first time I've been in a doctor's office in over 2 years and I've had a dozen appointments. I love online healthcare.

[DaneMcCloud]

The issue here is just a shortage of healthcare professionals. Rural healthcare is suffering financially.

It's happening everywhere and it's really bad in Los Angeles, too.

At least all of my nieces and nephews are smart because they're all going into healthcare, from dermatology to neuroscience to nursing (nurse practitioner) to psychiatry.

Those kids will never not have a job.

[Monticore]

It's happening everywhere and it's really bad in Los Angeles, too.

At least all of my nieces and nephews are smart because they're all going into healthcare, from dermatology to neuroscience to nursing (nurse practitioner) to psychiatry.

Those kids will never not have a job.

Dermatology is a good one, petty much straight days, no call, not really any emergencies , my guy up here never looks stressed and refers out all the lump and bump stuff for excisions etc..

[Renegade]

Well, knowing your family history is a good start, so you can prepare yourself for what's to come.

Don't fool yourself, either, because it's coming.

This ain't no lie. I went from seeing a doctor once every 3-4 years to now having 6 month appointments or referrals every time I go in. I went from a high deductible to now once I get an CT/X-ray just about takes my care of annual out of pocket limit.

[Monticore]

I always get growths. Because I'm going to die of cancer someday. We all do in my family. Just a matter of time.

I had a skin growth, knew I needed to go to a Dermatologist. Went to primary care, they didn't know what it was. Referred me to Dermatologist who sliced it open and gave me antibiotics that day. Problem solved.

I had a gum growth in my mouth, had to go to primary care. They had no idea what it was. Had to go to an oral surgeon who then scheduled removal to take it out.

I got an eye ulcer thing. Had to go to a ophthalmologist. Wow Imagine that! They basically prescribed some medicine don't remember what and scraped it off.

Now I have enlarged lymph nodes on my neck, probably from the Covid-19 vaccine but they aren't going away after a month. So I need to go to a cancer doc to see if I have lymphoma or not. Dad died of lymphoma so don't want to take any chances.

Just sick and tired of wasting money going to doctors who don't do anything.

Don't always need to see a Specialist for enlarged lymph nodes, labs/x-rays/ultrasound( nodes and abdomen)should be able to give your MD an idea where to go from there, then maybe CT is some suspicion, 1month isn't really that abnormal.

I see reactive lymph nodes daily only a very small portion of them end up seeing a specialist. all that stuff should be done before even seeing the specialist anyways , which your family doc can do.

Where on you neck are they? anterior, posterior, supraclavicular?

Could just be an STD.

[htismaqe]

Don't always need to see a Specialist for enlarged lymph nodes, labs/x-rays/ultrasound( nodes and abdomen)should be able to give your MD an idea where to go from there, then maybe CT is some suspicion, 1month isn't really that abnormal.

I see reactive lymph nodes daily only a very small portion of them end up seeing a specialist. all that stuff should be done before even seeing the specialist anyways , which your family doc can do.

Where on you neck are they? anterior, posterior, supraclavicular?

Could just be an STD.

You have to be sexually active to get an STD. This is Willie we're talking about.

ROFL

[Titty Meat]

Congrats on getting your transition surgery referral

I've been debating doing this myself. I have 1 pec and 1 breast at the moment.

[|Zach|]

If I had less in my HSA maybe. I have a ton of money in my HSA and my out of pocket max is like 8k so not a big deal at the present time. But yeah I probably will eventually.

I like my HSA with an out of pocket max of 3k with 4K in the account I can take the hit of something massive. At the end of the day I just wanted to be able to deal with something wild happening I can deal with the little charges here and there.

[KCUnited]

I've been debating doing this myself. I have 1 pec and 1 breast at the moment.

Donate your nuts to gochiefs if you decide to go that route

[|Zach|]

All of my providers have online portals. I can send them a message and get a response in a couple of hours without ever leaving my desk.

That’s pretty great. I haven’t had anything come up in years that an urgent care place can’t fix with ease but good to know people are catching up technology wise.

[Monticore]

I've been debating doing this myself. I have 1 pec and 1 breast at the moment.

Men already have breasts, nipples, milk ducts just need the right hormones.

[lewdog]

I've been debating doing this myself. I have 1 pec and 1 breast at the moment.

Do you have Gyno?

[mr. tegu]

What are the point of these doctors? They are almost always in my experience a waste of time. 95% of the time I know what kind of specialist I need to go to. I have to go to one of these people to tell me they don't know what it is either, and to go here. Then they charge me $500 for doing absolutely nothing. And the specialist typically won't see you unless you get a referral.

Imagine going to a primary care mechanic who doesn't actually do anything for your car. You have a flat tire, you tow your car there and they go. Oh shit man, you have a flat tire. You are gonna have to go to a tire place for that. Well no fucking shit. Okay well thanks for coming, pay us $500 and the tow bill and then we'll allow you to tow your car to Discount Tire.


But what if you skip the primary care mechanic and go straight to the tire place thinking that’s your issue, but the issue is actually your Johnson rod that they can’t fix?

[Titty Meat]

Men already have breasts, nipples, milk ducts just need the right hormones.

Please do not fucking mislable me

[Mennonite]

But what if you skip the primary care mechanic and go straight to the tire place thinking that’s your issue, but the issue is actually your Johnson rod that they can’t fix?

Oh, wow, I guess he'd have made a pointless visit to a doctor who could do nothing more than give him a referral.

[BWillie]

Do you have Gyno?

Oh yeah, that is another growth I had. When I was 15 I had gyno. I had it removed so my tit didn't look ****ing weird.

I also had a bone spur in my knee at 14 but it seemed to go away when I stopped growing.

I've had so many growths over the years and still in my 30s.

[lewdog]

Oh yeah, that is another growth I had. When I was 15 I had gyno. I had it removed so my tit didn't look ****ing weird.

I also had a bone spur in my knee at 14 but it seemed to go away when I stopped growing.

I've had so many growths over the years and still in my 30s.

Jesus Christ, you should be happy any PCP wants to take on someone with such shitty genetics.

[Fat Elvis]

What are the point of these doctors? They are almost always in my experience a waste of time. 95% of the time I know what kind of specialist I need to go to. I have to go to one of these people to tell me they don't know what it is either, and to go here. Then they charge me $500 for doing absolutely nothing. And the specialist typically won't see you unless you get a referral.

Imagine going to a primary care mechanic who doesn't actually do anything for your car. You have a flat tire, you tow your car there and they go. Oh shit man, you have a flat tire. You are gonna have to go to a tire place for that. Well no ****ing shit. Okay well thanks for coming, pay us $500 and the tow bill and then we'll allow you to tow your car to Discount Tire.

You should skip going to your primary care physician. I looked up your symptoms on Web MD and you have leprosy. I'll accept your payment for my services in Bitcoin.

[TLO]

When I was in college, I slept with my PCP's nurse. That's about all I have to offer to this thread.

[ptlyon]

You should skip going to your primary care physician. I looked up your symptoms on Web MD and you have leprosy. I'll accept your payment for my services in Bitcoin.

Thought that said bacon when I first read it.

[Monticore]

Oh yeah, that is another growth I had. When I was 15 I had gyno. I had it removed so my tit didn't look ****ing weird.

I also had a bone spur in my knee at 14 but it seemed to go away when I stopped growing.

I've had so many growths over the years and still in my 30s.

That knee thing sounds like another one of your self diagnosis fails.

Osgood- schlatter maybe?

[Titty Meat]

When I was in college, I slept with my PCP's nurse. That's about all I have to offer to this thread.

You also had sex your first day moving into college.

[oldman]

No just high deductible plan and HSA.

Why would the amount you have in your HSA have anything to do with it? My plan knows nothing of what I have in my HSA or even cares.

[mr. tegu]

Oh, wow, I guess he'd have made a pointless visit to a doctor who could do nothing more than give him a referral.


But what if they don’t refer you and instead a crazy mechanic runs off with your car?

[Mennonite]

But what if they don’t refer you and instead a crazy mechanic runs off with your car?

Car insurance is a lot cheaper than medical insurance.

[mr. tegu]

Car insurance is a lot cheaper than medical insurance.


Sure but then if you have priceless golf clubs in the back how do you get those back in good condition? Is the thief mechanic just going to return them voluntarily?

[BWillie]

That knee thing sounds like another one of your self diagnosis fails.

Osgood- schlatter maybe?

That is literally what the doctor told me. Benign tumor in the knee - and they called it a "bone spur". And that I shouldn't worry about it unless it starts to act up once I'm done growing.

[BWillie]

Why would the amount you have in your HSA have anything to do with it? My plan knows nothing of what I have in my HSA or even cares.

I may not understand health insurance well, but if I have a max out of pocket per year of say $6,000 on a high deductible plan and have $12,000 in my HSA. What do I have to worry about for at least two years? I'm okay with paying some out of pocket as long as it's not catastrophic costs of over like 7k a year.

[SupDock]

The referral barrier is cause by insurance companies, not your PCP.

I feel like a do a heck of a lot, but there is no doubt that medicine is becoming more specialized. Residency is remaining the same length, and yet the amount of medical knowledge to acquire is increasing exponentially.

Try asking your orthopedic surgeon to look at a mole, or ask your neurologist to order an EKG, or your dermatologist to listen to your lungs.

I generally have to try and fit 45 minutes of healthcare into a 20 minute appt.
that’s not even mentioning the paperwork I have to complete.

[tyecopeland]

If I had less in my HSA maybe. I have a ton of money in my HSA and my out of pocket max is like 8k so not a big deal at the present time. But yeah I probably will eventually.

You can still use your hsa money. Regardless of what plan you have. You just cant contribute to an hsa with anything other than a hdhp.

[Monticore]

That is literally what the doctor told me. Benign tumor in the knee - and they called it a "bone spur". And that I shouldn't worry about it unless it starts to act up once I'm done growing.

Just odd to have spurs at that age , common bone tumor like osteochondroma would have probably had some sort of follow up at some point , i would also not refer to a spur to as a tumor because that would probably scare the shit out of a parent unnecessarily