How is the health Care in/near Roanoke (Charlottesville: dermatologists, insurance)

[BravoCharlie]

It sounds as though Roanoke area is a nice place to settle. My wife and I are considering moving fron FL to VA, and Roanoke is on the list, but great healthcare is a must.
Can anyone shed light on this important subject?

[Erin1264]

Yes! We have 2 great hospitals, Lewis Gale and Carilion. Carilion is a level I trauma center. Both hospitals have tons of specialists and family practice offices.

Check out their websites: www.carilionclinic.com and www.lewis-gale.com

Patients are usually sent to UVA in Charlottesville if there is a particularly complicated issue that cannot be handled here.

I'm in the health care field and am very comfortable with the level of care here.

(we lived in Jacksonville, FL for a while!)

[OuttaFlorida]

Hey Bravo,

Congrats on a possible move to Roanoke. My gf and I recently moved from south Florida to Roanoke. I'm in the health care field as well and yes the Carilion system is a well respected, thriving system. They are in the process of completing their joint medical school with V-Tech, to open next year. Now the system will be able to grow their own docs. In terms of jobs, they are the largest private employer in the region and are actively hiring. You should make a trip up, its absolutely beautiful right now.

[Blue Moon Athena]

Hi BC:

Congrats on being able to escape The Sunshine State. I made the move from southwest Florida to the Roanoke area a little over a year ago.

After some trial and error, I found what I consider to be competent health care providers. But I did have to go through a few, uh, “less than ideal” providers to get to this point. I guess that sort of thing can happen no matter where one lives.

A couple of points about health care in the Roanoke area that came as a surprise to me and that you may find important:

The length of time it can take to get an appointment. Last summer I phoned several dermatology offices for an appointment. Wait times ranged from four to six months! I laughed out loud when the first office I called told me six months because I truly thought it was a joke. It wasn’t. I eventually found an office that was able to see me the following week due to a cancellation. But even that was quite different from what I was used to, which was an appointment within a day or two. Appointments with other physicians have been months, instead of days or weeks, in the future. At the dental office I have been going to, it can be two or three months before the dentist can be seen for non-emergency items.

Cost of health care insurance. If you pay directly for your health care insurance, be prepared for possible sticker shock. I now have a plan which provides less coverage than the one I had in Florida, but costs about 30% more.

[BravoCharlie]

So no one else can offer any other advice, comments or criticism of the medical community?

[Erin1264]

Nope, there are quality physicians here. Carilion does extensive recruiting.

I grew up in New England and in my biased humble opinion, some of the best hospitals in the country are up there. (Dana Farber, Brigham & Women's, Mass General, etc.)

But, I'm comfortable and pleased with the resources in Roanoke.

I don't think you'll find a whole lot of criticism. Perhaps the length of time it takes to get an appointment. But this can be avoided if you make an appointment either before you arrive or as soon as you get here, anticipating a wait of a couple months. Don't wait until you are sick or in need. I don't know of any doctor's offices who will take new patients on short notice, especially if they are already sick! Doctor and dentist offices don't even like to take their OWN patients on short notice if they haven't been seen recently.

[OuttaFlorida]

Originally Posted by Erin1264

I grew up in New England and in my biased humble opinion, some of the best hospitals in the country are up there. (Dana Farber, Brigham & Women's, Mass General, etc.)
.

Don't forget about Yale New Haven! Worked there for a little bit, excellent teaching hospital...but that's off topic

The hospital systems here are private, not for profit. There are differences between public vs private systems in terms of funding and the amount of charitable care they must provide. The care received by patients should be no different. Customer service rates at Carilion are very high as compared across the country. Roanoke Memorial is a level 1 trauma center, heart center, stroke center and childrens hospital. Carilion maintains their own air support and ground ambulance system as well, creating a seamless system for tranfers. In terms of private practice, its hit or miss...but you have options.

[mccamp]

I agree with Erin on the quality of health care in New England. We loved our Boston-based docs. Some of the best physicians in the world are in Boston.

But, so far, we're pleased with the health care in Roanoke. Our adopted kids come from all over the world, and the docs here don't flinch with the special needs and blood work they need. (Our kids are healthy as can be, but need tests to check for any dormant bugs, etc.)

We've been able to book appointments without a long wait. I think the most we waited was two weeks.

Another poster said that waiting for dermatology can be a long wait. I think that's true anywhere. A lot of dermatologists are doing botox and other cosmetic treatments. That means longer waits for a whole body skin check. I found this to be the case in Boston and in Providence, RI.

[Erin1264]

Yes, I forgot Yale! Shame on me, a CT native!

I waited 6 months for a dermatology appointment here! But the Dr. was worth it, and now if I need to go back, I'm sure she'll get me in promptly for an appointment.

[BravoCharlie]

Thanks for all the help.
Any recommendations for diabetes & post-cancer care?