New MA Arrivals, Describe Getting Primary Doctor Experiences (Boston: dermatologist, health insurance)

[Browsing Duo]

My husband and I will be moving to western MA. I keep reading on these boards: "Good luck getting a doctor." So those of you who had to research and find a primary care doctor in the last two years (either regular or Medicare), on a non-emergency basis, what was your experience, assuming you signed up for one of the health plans offered? Bonus points for discussing your insurance plan experiences as well if you have them. Thanks.

[clevedark]

I used the Brigham and Women's Hospital referral office a couple of months ago to find a new GP for me. They were able to tell me very easily which primary care physicians were accepting new patients. Of course I had to make a blind choice based on some very basic information they gave me about the docs' education and licensing. Based on the location I only had a couple of choices, so it was fairly easy. The doc was fine, I think. Who knows. I find GPs and dentists tough in general--I much prefer specialists.

I've tried two other ways to find docs: one was using my insurance, United Health Care, through their website. That turned out ok for a pediatrician. I initially tried that for a primary care physician for myself, but found it was too overwhelming--I had too many choices and it was impossible to choose.

On the same search for a pediatrician, before I turned to my insurance co., I asked around for recs, but found that either the doc wasn't on my insurance or wasn't accepting new patients.

[VlyRoadKid]

It often is best to check out the doctors listed by your insurance provider first, but if you want a different type of GP, who does, say, acupuncture, for instance, you may have more luck finding someone out in W.Mass., but possibly more trouble w/your insurance.

Medical groups are popular out here and I had a good experience with Valley Medical Group, though it was a referral to a specialist. But we're now in the process of transferring from our old doc's private practice in Central MA, which is now terrible (very random and sloppy). We'll most likely end up with Valley Medical and see how that goes.

The Bay State medical system was overhauled not long ago and provides excellent care, both for hospitalization, specialists and specialized care, such as Women's health and pediatrics. You might try calling them for a primary care provider list.

Good luck! It's such a maze...pretty much everywhere.

[haberstroh]

We moved here two years ago and have Horizon BCBS through my husbands employer. I went through the insurance website and found plenty of GPs. But you wont know until you call them and try to make your first appointment. Most accepted new patients but the wait for the first physical was very long, up to 4 months. I choose our doctor based on location, I wanted something close by, in the same town. They don't have evening hours or Saturday openings, which I would have liked. They are okay for same day or next day illness but you have to make it very urgent or be super flexible. Still the wait for a physical is very long. The doctors and nurses are pretty good, lab time is fast and they have cured us from every minor illness (flu, uti, pulled muscle) so far. I do agree that the specialist seem better organized although my dermatologist has a very long wait as well.
For the pediatrician I asked around and every parent mentioned the same group, and luckily the insurance had them on the list. The ped. group is excellent! Fast same day appointments, phone service with nurses, reminders, lab etc.

[clevedark]

Just a heads up, the United Healthcare website was out of date--there were docs accepting new patients that weren't listed on the site.

That's why it's a good idea to find a nice local medical network and work from that end as well. Medical care infrastructure can be extremely organized around Boston, but I'm not sure about western MA.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

I heard about this in the news the other day. The state makes you purchase health insurance, but what for? There is a huge shortage of primary doctors in the state. It is well documented.

[clevedark]

I found my GP very quickly and had to wait only about 6 weeks for my first physical with her, but I was able to go in for any acute problems before then no problem.

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by Woof Woof Woof!

I heard about this in the news the other day. The state makes you purchase health insurance, but what for? There is a huge shortage of primary doctors in the state. It is well documented.

The thing I really like about MA mandating insurance is that you can't be turned down for pre existing conditions. Or charged an arm or your leg if you have ever had heart prob. cancer or any other life changing medical issue.

You would be hard pressed to find an insurance company in AZ that would take you if you've had major illness. I haven't had one yet thankfully, but I have watched friends go down the path and was horrified by it. It's really nice to know you can't be turned down in MA.