My Wellness Medicare visit

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
When I had my appointment with my PCP for my Medicare "wellness" visit, she asked for a list of the doctors I was currently seeing. She looked at the list then asked why I had to see so many doctors. She particularly phoo-phooed the cardiologist and the ophthamologist (but not so much the gastroenterologist for some reason). She implied that there was nothing these doctors can do for me that she couldn't and I should break all standing appointments I have with them. But I know what will happen if I go to her for a cardiac or eye problem - she will refer me to a specialist. So why is she doing this?
 

I had quad bypass surgery in 2013, and saw a cardio guy every six months until I moved to Hawaii. All they ever did was give a quick listen to my heart and lungs and then bill Medicare. My PCP in Hawaii, like yours, basically said "don't waste your time or theirs". Her theory was that as long as my heart was going pitty-pat pitty-pat I was okay and if started going patty-pit patty-pit she would know and would then send me to a cardio person.

Going to a new PCP here in AZ in January. Not sure what will come of that. :)
 
My PCP is the opposite. Before I had Medicare I only had one dr, now I'm referred to different ones in addition to seeing her.

Ive got a pain dr and an opthamologist now and have an appt next Tuesday with a Physical Therapist.

All my PCP does is refill my thyroid meds and records my vitals.
 

The only reason go to my a cardiologist is because a PCP before the one I have now, suggested it might be good to keep and eye on my cardiac health because I have cardiovascular problems on both side of my family. My mom and two maternal uncles died from a stroke an aneurysm and the one left has had numerous issues and is hospitalized frequently for them. My paternal grandma had hypertension and died of a heart attack. I couldn't give her a reason why I keep going to the ophthamologist only that when I go, it's like Hoot N Annie mentioned, he gives a quick look, asks how everything is then says "Then I'll see you in 6 months."
 
The wellness check up I had was useless. The doctor could barely speak English. They called the other day and I told them that I had a pcp I see and I don't need the "free checkup" and that he spoke English.
 
I’d be weary of doc’s who think they ‘can do it all’ and discourages their patients to see specialists, especially since no doc is the master of all diseases. Run!
 
At the same time, though, is there any reason to keep seeing a specialist year after year if nothing is wrong and he/she only does a cursory listening to heart, lungs, etc.?

My sis has to see a cardiologist once a year, but she has A-fib, a clotting disorder, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. I don't have any of that stuff, so I just see my regular PCP.
 
Butterfly said:
At the same time, though, is there any reason to keep seeing a specialist year after year if nothing is wrong and he/she only does a cursory listening to heart, lungs, etc.?

My sis has to see a cardiologist once a year, but she has A-fib, a clotting disorder, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. I don't have any of that stuff, so I just see my regular PCP.
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That makes sense, my doctor rarely found the need to refer me elswewhere until I developed severe ulcers, then, of course, he felt I should be seen by a specialist.
 
I was telling a friend about how my primary care doctor wanted me to cut down on seeing some of the specialists I've been going to for years. She said that most doctors are in a "network" and the ones that my PCP maligned are probably not in her network and likely she wants me to have her refer me to specialists in her own network.
 
My pcp refers me to a couple of specialists. I see a neurologist yearly because of a history of brain aneurysms, a renal specialist because of low level kidney disease. I have improved so much with the kidneys that I only see him once a year. Glad I saw him this year as after blood work he found that my vitamin D level is extremely low and advised me to start 2000 mgs of it every day. My multivitamin was not enough. I asked him why my labs with pcp did not show it and he said that renal lab work was different than regular labs. So I was glad my pcp thought I should see a renal specialist since he discovered the kidney problem to start with and wanted to be sure it was looked after. My pcp has been my doc for over 15 years and is originally from India. He is the kindest doctor I have ever had. His home was flooded with Harvey but his clinic reopened 2 days afterwards. He said he was proud they were able to reopen so quickly.
 
debodun said:
I was telling a friend about how my primary care doctor wanted me to cut down on seeing some of the specialists I've been going to for years. She said that most doctors are in a "network" and the ones that my PCP maligned are probably not in her network and likely she wants me to have her refer me to specialists in her own network.
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Your friend is correct.
 
Cap'nSacto said:
Your friend is correct.
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I tend do doubt that, as I am not a fan of conspiracy theories. I think the answer is probably closer to the fact that specialists are there to treat problems that the PCP cannot. There's no point in continuing to see a specialist if you no longer need to -- you're just taking up space that a patient with serious problems needs. Specialists, in general, are not intended to be lifelong caretakers, unless you have a lifelong affliction that requires their special care.
 

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