First Impressions - Seeking Medical Care (Knoxville, Johnson City: insurance, allergies, living)

[donsabi]

I moved to Kingsport about a month ago and for the most part I really like it here. However, searching for a doctor has never been a problem that I encountered before. Since I have retired I have moved several times and each time I was able to find a doctor with ease. I have heard of people being declined service because they had Medicare but that has never happened to me. I have Medicare and BCBS. Earlier I had tried three doctors in Kingsport and I was refused service by all three. None gave me a reason. Yesterday I was determined to find a doctor and went to ten different doctor’s office. I was told in several locations that the doctor had a full caseload, but I was there between 9am and noon and their waiting rooms were empty. One told me no more Medicare patients. All asked me my age and insurance information. Three told me to fill out an application and they would call me if the doctor were willing to accept me as a patient. I feel like I am putting in job applications and waiting to hear if I am hired or not. You might think I have some rare disease or no insurance the way I have been treated, but I am a normal senior, with normal senior health problems. I have Medicare and BCBS, so what’s the problem? I hope the hospitals in Kingsport don’t operate on the same basis.
After all the effort and expense of moving here I may have to move again.
If you are a senior on Medicare considering a move to Kingsport I strongly urge you to find a doctor before you move here.
Don

[williboy]

I would get a phone book and let my fingers do the walking. It'll save you a lot of time and money.

[dcommander]

Sorry you are having such difficulty! I sent you a recommendation on your DM.

[kamoshika]

I'm very sorry to hear about what you're going through. It's not just happening in Kingsport, though.
Can't Find a Doctor? You're Not Alone - US News and World Report
Finding a Doctor: 7 Tips - US News and World Report

After Medicare reduced their reimbursement rates in '06, many doctors decided they could no longer afford to accept new Medicare patients and some even dumped their existing Medicare patients. In addition, BCBS of TN has gotten much worse in the last 18 mos. or so about denying claims, thus angering & frustrating many doctors (per a billing mgr. I spoke with).

Have you tried ETSU Family Physicians, Mountain Region Family Medicine, or Holston Medical Group? HMG alone has over 50 family physicians/internists, so surely someone there will see you. Ask to speak to their family practice mgr. and explain your situation. I'll PM you w/ a couple more suggestions. Good luck & keep us posted about your search!

[donsabi]

Thanks for the PM's and posts. I looked at my previous MD's statements and he was getting paid from Medicare, BCBS, and my copay about 90% of the full bill. Doctors account for this in their billing anyway. I find it difficult to believe that MD's are turning away patients who are paying 90% of their full bill. One other thing, I have a friend who is too young for Medicare but has no insurance. He is only paying $45 per OV and my copay alone is almost that high.
Since I have retired I have lived in several states and had no problem getting a MD until I moved to TN. Why here?
Seniors on Medicare should take note of this situation.
Don

[donsabi]

Update; I have tried fourteen doctors before finally finding one that accepted my application. I took all my records and prescriptions with me to the initial OV and I needed two prescriptions refills and I asked for something for my allergies. I ended up with no prescriptions refills, nothing for my allergies, but I did get two no prescriptions for cholesterol which I did not ask for and they were mailed to me. Maybe this is just my bad luck, but I have never experienced anything like this anywhere I have been. Needless to say, I will be looking for another MD.
Fortunately, I am a veteran and have put in for a change of service to the Johnson City facility. Hopefully I will be able to get medical care at the VA before my meds run out.
If you are a senior with Medicare I suggest you find a doctor that will take you before relocation here in Kingsport.
Don

[jabogitlu]

I find this very strange indeed. Johnson City was recently ranked better than Knoxville and Nashville for medicine (in a study that I can't find anymore! ) so I hope you have better luck her.e Keep us updated.

[mbmouse]

I too find this strange and hope you get this all straightened out soon!
My folks moved here, had one medical coverage, then John Deer and Medicaid when they hit that age. They have never been denied to see a Dr. they chose nor specialists. They have been very pleased with the medical care they have gotten and Mom has several heath issues. Never have they been asked to fill out any kind of application, neither have I when I chose an MD for me or my family.
BCBS has a very clear web site that lists all the Dr.'s and specialists in the area that accept the insurance, have you checked that out by chance? Maybe it will help you as well as the VA.
If nothing else, call the number on the back of your card and tell them what you are going though and that you are going to run out of meds, they SHOULD help you get it all straight and set up with a competent MD asap.

[donsabi]

mbmouse,
Yes, I checked BCBS but Medicare is the primary. I did receive a PM that told me that Medicare pays different rates depending on location and the TN does not pay as much as PA or many other states. This may be the reason for my difficulty finding a MD.
However, I did get an appointment with an ENT at the end of the month. I told them I was a Medicare recipient and I didn't have to fill out an application.
Don

[ML10950]

My wife and I moved here 8 months ago and had the same problem, it was like filling out applications for a job. We are both middle age, in good health, with excellant insurance. My brother also moved to Kingsport eigth months ago, and also had the same problem finding a doctor. We brought him to emergancy room three times because he had heavy congestion in his throat, they treated him twice for pneumonia and once for allergies, and never took an x-ray. When he visited my sister in Fort Worth, Texas, she took him to the emergancy room and they diagnosed him with advanced terminal lung cancer. I do not understand how the medical facilities in this area are getting the high ratings; my experience so far has been very disheartening.