![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on January 2, 2005, at 17:45:58
Hello all, my new insurance doesnt cover my current pdoc and if i continue to go to her then i have to pay full price. But, she has me on a good med combo (after about 2 yrs of trials and errors) I am not sure if i saw a new doc whether he would continue the regamine that i am on now or try to mess me up....
any advise??
Sandy
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 18:00:06
In reply to should i change pdocs?, posted by woolav on January 2, 2005, at 17:45:58
If the only reason you want to continue w/your current pdoc is because you like your current med combo, then I would find a new pdoc that takes your insurance and tell him or her on the phone before you agree to see them that you are happy with the drugs you are on and want to make sure that he/she will be willing to prescribe them to you. You should probably phrase it something like: I welcome your advice about the medications that I am on, but for the time being they are working very well for me and I want to make sure that if I do schedule an appointment with you that you would be comfortable refilling my prescriptions for these drugs.
You must have more than one pdoc in your area who take your health insurance and I'm sure that at least one of them would be open to the very reasonable request that you be allowed to continue taking the medications that work right for you.
> Hello all, my new insurance doesnt cover my current pdoc and if i continue to go to her then i have to pay full price. But, she has me on a good med combo (after about 2 yrs of trials and errors) I am not sure if i saw a new doc whether he would continue the regamine that i am on now or try to mess me up....
> any advise??
> Sandy
Posted by stresser on January 2, 2005, at 19:56:02
In reply to should i change pdocs?, posted by woolav on January 2, 2005, at 17:45:58
I agree with Dan. When I decided to change pdoc, I did the exact thing because insurance demands it. The doctors offices worked very well with me. Maybe you can just say that you have a combination of mecications that work well for you and you are not willing to change at the moment. You are the patient....you are the one taking the medication. Just explain everything to the new doctor, most will be understanding to frustration of your two year battle. -L
Posted by Dan Perkins on January 2, 2005, at 20:09:32
In reply to Re: should i change pdocs?, posted by stresser on January 2, 2005, at 19:56:02
Good point. Most important thing to remember here is that you are the patient and you are in control. No reason to feel bullied into switching your regimen b/c you are switching pdocs. Be a discerning consumer and do your research by calling around to different pdocs until you find someone willing to go along with the plan that is working for you.
I have encountered some bad doctors in my time who are set on doing things there way and want you to follow their plan, even if it isn't the best thing for you. There is no reason to put with this.
Posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 21:01:18
In reply to should i change pdocs?, posted by woolav on January 2, 2005, at 17:45:58
Hi Sandy,
I am so pleased to hear that your current med combo is working! I sincerely appreciate your fear over changing doctors. I also realize that going out of network and continuing to see your pdoc may be financially difficult.
Perhaps you can look at this change as a chance to "interview" a few pdocs to see where they are at with your med combo. You are the consumer and may fire your doc at will. Just think, you are a dream patient! You have a medication regimen that works. I think many doctors would be delighted to work with you. A prescription or two or three and out the door. No late night emergency phone calls, etc. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
:) anneL
Posted by zmg on January 2, 2005, at 22:09:50
In reply to Re: should i change pdocs? » woolav, posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 21:01:18
What about asking your current pdoc for a recommendation? You must have told him you'd be switching (and why) already, he's got nothing to lose and if he can recommend a pdoc with which he has some type of relationship they should be able continue your regime.
Would be one way to get rid of some of the ackwardness of having to interview new pdocs (although I agree with all the prior posts, we do have some say here).
Posted by banga on January 2, 2005, at 22:16:16
In reply to Re: should i change pdocs?, posted by zmg on January 2, 2005, at 22:09:50
same thoughts as others in general--I would first ask if your pdoc has a recommendation of someone who might be in your network. You could visit a few, see how it goes. You can always return to your previous doc if you are very dissatisfied with the results.
YOu can use the money you save on something else therapeutic--like a massage!
I am so glad things are working.
Posted by woolav on January 3, 2005, at 19:28:13
In reply to Re: should i change pdocs?, posted by banga on January 2, 2005, at 22:16:16
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.