doctors & hospitals booked up

[Don M.]

We had to change our Medicare Advantage plan for 2023. With a new plan coming, and questions about how things will be handled next year, we have been trying to schedule any routine checkups/services before year end. What a mess! It seems that everything is booked up, and finding an open appointment is quite hard. It appears that all the facilities are having "staffing" shortages, and available appointments are rare.

The more I dig into this, the more I'm convinced that our HC system is a mess.

 

[Pepper]

DIL eye doc. This is her busiest time of year due to something with insurance plans, whether benefit ending at end of year or something like that.

 

[hollydolly]

We had to change our Medicare Advantage plan for 2023. With a new plan coming, and questions about how things will be handled next year, we have been trying to schedule any routine checkups/services before year end. What a mess! It seems that everything is booked up, and finding an open appointment is quite hard. It appears that all the facilities are having "staffing" shortages, and available appointments are rare.

The more I dig into this, the more I'm convinced that our HC system is a mess.

The NHS is the same.. long waiting lists, nurses going on strike.. no beds available, not enough hospitals, but at least we don't get an out of pocket bill sent to us

 

[fancicoffee13]

We had to change our Medicare Advantage plan for 2023. With a new plan coming, and questions about how things will be handled next year, we have been trying to schedule any routine checkups/services before year end. What a mess! It seems that everything is booked up, and finding an open appointment is quite hard. It appears that all the facilities are having "staffing" shortages, and available appointments are rare.

The more I dig into this, the more I'm convinced that our HC system is a mess.

Here in Texas, I haven't noticed a difference.

 

[boliverchadsworth]

We had to change our Medicare Advantage plan for 2023. With a new plan coming, and questions about how things will be handled next year, we have been trying to schedule any routine checkups/services before year end. What a mess! It seems that everything is booked up, and finding an open appointment is quite hard. It appears that all the facilities are having "staffing" shortages, and available appointments are rare.

The more I dig into this, the more I'm convinced that our HC system is a mess.

37th in the world....what does that tell you but likely number one in corruption

 

[Kika]

It is really bad. I started booking my appointments in July hoping for appointments in September or October. I got to see all of them in November and one of the 4, was not available until the last week of February!!!

 

[hollydolly]

It is really bad. I started booking my appointments in July hoping for appointments in September or October. I got to see all of them in November and one of the 4, was not available until the last week of February!!!

I have just had an appointment with my consultant.. he asked me if I'd had my MRI yet.. and I had to tell him No... it's been well over a year that I've been waiting for the appointment for the MRI.. so he's sent yet another request..

It probably will still be a while because nurses are striking this month.. which always sets queues back by a long way...

annoyingly if I paid out of pocket for it..I could have had it the next day

 

[fancicoffee13]

37th in the world....what does that tell you but likely number one in corruption

Just be diligent and persistent. Don't give up and make sure you do all you can. Ask for help, which you are doing that. A lot of other people are doing what you are and that's the problem. There are other agencies that help seniors, like we have one called Area Agency on Aging, and they can point you in the right direction in actually getting done what you need done.

 

[jujube]

I used to play a little trick to get faster appointments with doctors and dentists. The dermatologist's office would say, "The first appointment we have is in May." I'd say, "Oh, and I want to check about getting that new (read: expensive) laser resurfacing treatment, too..." Suddenly, they can fit me in next week. I wasn't lying.......exactly........I really DID want to hear about it. Who wouldn't?

 

[fancicoffee13]

I used to play a little trick to get faster appointments with doctors and dentists. The dermatologist's office would say, "The first appointment we have is in May." I'd say, "Oh, and I want to check about getting that new (read: expensive) laser resurfacing treatment, too..." Suddenly, they can fit me in next week. I wasn't lying.......exactly........I really DID want to hear about it. Who wouldn't?

Hadn't thought about that. That is smart. I do my own little tricks too. We don't get old for nothing. We have learned, they are still learning!