Finding a new Primary Care Doctor

[JudithC550012]

I set up an appointment with my usual Primary Care, she's great, evaluates everything, monitors my Thyroid, Hypertension, blood sugar, etc.  But after setting up the appointment, the office called me and said she had an emergency, and will not be returning to the office until April 2026, ugh.  So the office told me about other doctors at the clinic, one MD and one NP, I told them my insurance is paying for me to see an MD.  So the best they could do is schedule me for a DO, which is fine.  Now while waiting for this, I have been concerned because my Apple watch warned me one night that I had Afib (very scary, so this is one of my reasons to get an appointment).  After having this appointment and waiting to get in (been over a week), the office calls me and tells me I can't see this doctor, he doesn't take new patients, and he is semi-retired.  What??? They didn't know this when they scheduled me?  They told me my own option is to get in to see the Nurse Practioner.   By now I am so mad a everyone at this clinic, I told them no thanks, I'll find my own new Primary Care doctor.  

I have been searching online, and the area I live in has health networks, the one I've been using, doesn't offer too many MD anymore, mainly NP's, or OD's.  Their is another network, but depending on the network, determines the hospital you go to if you have to be hospitalized.  

The first network (Franciscan Health) has more clinics, covers more hospitals.  The second network (Powers Health) seems to have better doctors and less hospitals.   I was told that Powers Health was taking less Medicare, and I have the Medicare with Medigap.  

Right now I'm really confused on where I should be looking for a new Primary Care, and if any specifice specialty, or do I just need to suck it up and settle for a NP

[SereneSeagull]

Nurse Practitioners are fantastic and can write prescriptions.  Some were better than docs!  

[papawofboo]

My wife and I have been seeing NP for years. They are in just about every doctor's office around. They know what they are doing and some people say they keep up with newer methods more so than the doctor. I don't know about that. They don't do any of the test that require you to be put to sleep.

The though of getting a new doctor for any of my health issues is something I would think long and hard about. Even if you have your record's most of the time you are going to have a ton of test that you have already had over the years, that's just the nature of the beast.

Agree with you about the clinic. We get mad at the people in our dr's office a lot. Seems like the clerks and aides are always changing. I go to my doctor's at least twice a year, very seldom if ever is the aide at my GP office the same as last visit. 

[Winter2025VA]

Papaw @papawofboo , since starting Medicare I have been lucky to be able yo see my Medicare Doctor & NOT his NP. Before Medicare, like you and your wife, I had one for years. Then she left the year before I began Medicare. I asked to see the Doctor in the interim of them hiring another NP. When the "new" NP arrived = ZERO personality and I asked my Doctor IF I could continue with him. Said yes. Then it was time to say goodbye as he does NOT do Medicare.  😭  Was VERY EMOTIONAL as it was like family every time I saw him or his "previous" NP. Fast forward to 2025. Lost my 1st totally AWESOME Medicare Doctor last year. I had started Medicare September 2023. She chose her family (husband, 2 kids ages 2 & 5) over her practice. Another emotional goodbye.  😭  Lol, now to hope the Doctor who took her patients is there when I am suppose to see him THIS December. Really sweet guy.  👍  Lastly, rather than wait to see the "real" Urologist, I went ahead & saw his NP. I didnot want to wait months to find out IF I have cancer or not. Symptoms started this year & my "new" Medicare Doctor wanted to rule this issue out. Anyway Judith @JudithC550012 , I hope you will stop by AGAIN to update us. See you Old Man Papaw, Nicole!

[JudithC550012]

Thanks, I see everyone is dealing with the same types of struggles.  I do go to a pain management clinic, and I'm only being treated at this dr for pain, but I do always see the NP, and she is great.  I just don't want an NP for my overall care. So I do know there are great NP's, but the changing of doctors and it being out of your control, you feel like you are starting over again.

[Winter2025VA]

Judith @JudithC550012 , I try to trust the Universe with my Life's Journey as I finally figured out I have NO CONTROL over some things. At age 67, I was WORRYING myself into "depression & anger". Lol, often wondered how SOME Seniors were so "laid back & enjoying" their OLD AGE. So dear friend, do all this YOUR WAY as you know best what gives you PEACE in the midst of this MEDICARE NIGHTMARE. So glad you stopped by AGAIN!!!  🙃  Take care, Nicole!

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➡️[*** JUDITH @JudithC550012 wrote:

Thanks, I see everyone is dealing with the same types of struggles.  I do go to a pain management clinic, and I'm only being treated at this dr for pain, but I do always see the NP, and she is great.  I just don't want an NP for my overall care. So I do know there are great NP's, but the changing of doctors and it being out of your control, you feel like you are starting over again.

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[GailL1]

@papawofboo - I'm with you - I have seen my Internist for ages, and I hate the thought of finding another one - he knows me and I know him - great relationship.  Although last Christmas, he crashed his plane and I was really concerned about him for a while - concussion, dislocated shoulder, 3-broken ribs - but like he said, he was better off than the plane, that didn't make it at all.  Sun just got in his eyes as he was landing - that's it - been flying for years but this happened out of the blue.  

[GailL1]

@JudithC550012 

You go to the Medicare. gov website and find yourself a provider that accept Traditional Medicare - all the better if they take Medicare assignment and it should say on their profile.

Medicare.gov - Find & compare providers near you. 

Getting a fast appointment for a new patient may be a trick but at least you have a start - or if the Afib is of paramount concern you could self-refer to a cardiologist.  But if you just want to be checked out for a bunch of stuff, like what you described - you can see an Internist, General Practitioner, Primary Care, Gerontologist.  You do need to see a MD or DO at least in the beginning - then they can refer you to a NP or PA for incidentals or care monitoring.   

[JudithC550012]

Thanks for all the great information, but now I'm leery of looking for Medicare doctor when many are saying they come in as a Medicare dr, but then quit taking Medicare patients. 

[Winter2025VA]

Judith @JudithC550012 , like you I want a doctor & NOT a Nurse Practitioner. But in my area as the Medicare Drama escalates, we are losing more doctors so I go ahead and see a NP "if" I have NO "choice". Take care, Nicole!

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➡️[*** JUDITH @JudithC550012 wrote:

I set up an appointment with my usual Primary Care, she's great, evaluates everything, monitors my Thyroid, Hypertension, blood sugar, etc.  But after setting up the appointment, the office called me and said she had an emergency, and will not be returning to the office until April 2026, ugh.  So the office told me about other doctors at the clinic, one MD and one NP, I told them my insurance is paying for me to see an MD.  So the best they could do is schedule me for a DO, which is fine.  Now while waiting for this, I have been concerned because my Apple watch warned me one night that I had Afib (very scary, so this is one of my reasons to get an appointment).  After having this appointment and waiting to get in (been over a week), the office calls me and tells me I can't see this doctor, he doesn't take new patients, and he is semi-retired.  What??? They didn't know this when they scheduled me?  They told me my own option is to get in to see the Nurse Practioner.   By now I am so mad a everyone at this clinic, I told them no thanks, I'll find my own new Primary Care doctor.  

I have been searching online, and the area I live in has health networks, the one I've been using, doesn't offer too many MD anymore, mainly NP's, or OD's.  Their is another network, but depending on the network, determines the hospital you go to if you have to be hospitalized.  

The first network (Franciscan Health) has more clinics, covers more hospitals.  The second network (Powers Health) seems to have better doctors and less hospitals.   I was told that Powers Health was taking less Medicare, and I have the Medicare with Medigap.  

Right now I'm really confused on where I should be looking for a new Primary Care, and if any specifice specialty, or do I just need to suck it up and settle for a NP

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[papawofboo]

Let me be clear, our doctors' offices have NP in them. The office or clinic is not run by NP'S. I can always see one of the doctors if we want. 

Do I understand that some of you live where doctors don't take Medicare? Our family members live in several different town's and no one has a problem with any doctor not taking Medicare.

[Winter2025VA]

Yes Papaw @papawofboo , in my location in Virginia, ALOT of doctors & nurse practitioners DONOT accept Medicare.

Take care,

Nicole!