Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We could not find ONE real concierge MD who had, or wanted to have, the credentialing to enter Venice Regional to practice there; if we were admitted. We were turned away by a Concierge Doctor because we lived much closer to Venice Regional than Sarasota Memorial. Now that Venice is closing, we are going to go back to him, and try again. I suspect we'll be taken this time.
We both dislike our PCP's, & when something goes wrong, we learned we needed 1 person to coordinate all the labs/results, meds, testing being perscribed, records sharing labors, PCP, & between multiple specialists &, and the proper sequencing of care.
Normal PCP's used to provide this "traffic control" function, but they all have too many patients now to do it all properly anymore....when serious health issues arise. PCP's are normally okay, until you get really sick...then, most are not. They are disorganized, and slow things down to a dangerous pace. That has been our experience.
Most people w/ our financial means have Concierge Docs. Now, we can have one too since Venice Hospital is closing...no more voice mail recordings, not returning calls, calling in scrips to the wrong pharmacy, having to go to the emergency room because its after hours at the PCP, lab results not finding it to the proper docs, and the whole myriad of failures we've encountered.
A Concierge Doctor is like have a general contractor to oversee the building of a large custom home, versus trying to coordinate all the subs yourself. If you have not gotten very ill, or not had the bad PCP care we've had, then count your blessings.
I must be among the lucky few in this area blessed to have a PCP that has proven to serve as excellent "traffic control", or general contractor, if you will, when I have had serious health issues. She facilitated immediate appointments with specialists,
made sure any preop testing was done and results transmitted timely to the specialists/ facilities, contacted the surgeon by phone to discuss findings ( before he contacted her), and has kept up with what's happening with my ongoing care with those specialists. I never had any pharmacy issues either with her or her staff, and when I've had issues needing some attention they've made appointments for me to be seen at the latest the following day, either by the doc, or if she is not available, the nurse practitioner there.
I'm glad to say I don't believe I need a concierge doctor. Though I see the concierge business linked a few posts before this seems to be actively soliciting medical practices in the US.
I must be among the lucky few in this area blessed to have a PCP that has proven to serve as excellent "traffic control", or general contractor, if you will, when I have had serious health issues. She facilitated immediate appointments with specialists,
made sure any preop testing was done and results transmitted timely to the specialists/ facilities, contacted the surgeon by phone to discuss findings ( before he contacted her), and has kept up with what's happening with my ongoing care with those specialists. I never had any pharmacy issues either with her or her staff, and when I've had issues needing some attention they've made appointments for me to be seen at the latest the following day, either by the doc, or if she is not available, the nurse practitioner there.
I'm glad to say I don't believe I need a concierge doctor. Though I see the concierge business linked a few posts before this seems to be actively soliciting medical practices in the US.
I switched back to Millinum because my pcp no longer took my insurance. I love how they have labs, imaging all in one place and can get in faster for test, but I always get the nurse practitioner not the actual dr. Which I hate. Im swtiching back to my old pcp and will pay the 100 bucks to see him without insurance. I'm having some issues so he can send me to the right specialist and doesn't hesitate to prescribe me medications. The nurse practitioner isn't doing much.
It seems all these big practices, even specialist they all have you see the pa now or nurse practitioner. Do the doctors just work pt and play golf?? My old doctor you actually see him.
I switched back to Millinum because my pcp no longer took my insurance. I love how they have labs, imaging all in one place and can get in faster for test, but I always get the nurse practitioner not the actual dr. Which I hate. Im swtiching back to my old pcp and will pay the 100 bucks to see him without insurance. I'm having some issues so he can send me to the right specialist and doesn't hesitate to prescribe me medications. The nurse practitioner isn't doing much.
It seems all these big practices, even specialist they all have you see the pa now or nurse practitioner. Do the doctors just work pt and play golf?? My old doctor you actually see him.
I know many of the primary care practices have patients seeing nurse practitioners or PAs either exclusively ( in case of the NPs, anyway) and PAs for many of the visits, I've heard that from any number of people around here. I guess the specialists may do that too, at least some of them. I know when I visit my cardiologist's office more than once a year, those visits will alternate between the cardiologist and his PA, but I like the PA and consider him an excellent provider, he works closely with the cardiologist and if there were any issues he questioned during a visit he would contact the cardiologist ( I have seen him do that).
I've recently begun seeing an oncologist, he has two NPs that I'm sure also see patients ( and do lots of the paperwork, test ordering and management) , but in the short time I have been going there, my impression is that the communication between the staff members ( lots and lots of them) and the docs is very good. I saw one of the NPs during my first oncology visit before I saw the doc, she spent about 1/2 hour with me, did a physical exam, got a detailed medical history, my perspectives and general knowledge of the diagnosis that led me there, as well as various treatment and management regimens. She gave a synopsis, I guess you would call it, to the doc before he came in to see me.
In my PCPs office there is one doctor, one full time NP and another part time NP. I know the full time NP has her own patients, and is their full time provider. I've heard nothing but accolades for her, people love her and believe she provides excellent care. I saw her once recently, when the doctor wasn't available and I needed a next day appointment, and I could see what they meant. But I see the doctor when I visit the office, unless it's on short notice and she is not there that day.
Most of the people I've heard who see the NPs in the practices have said they're happy wth the NPs ( they generally take more time and explain things better than many of the doctors). For those that said they weren't happy to see only a nurse practitioner, I've suggested that they make their wishes known to see a doctor in the practice, at least part of the time. I don't know how else one would go about seeing the practitioner of his/her choice.
I know many of the primary care practices have patients seeing nurse practitioners or PAs either exclusively ( in case of the NPs, anyway) and PAs for many of the visits, I've heard that from any number of people around here. I guess the specialists may do that too, at least some of them. I know when I visit my cardiologist's office more than once a year, those visits will alternate between the cardiologist and his PA, but I like the PA and consider him an excellent provider, he works closely with the cardiologist and if there were any issues he questioned during a visit he would contact the cardiologist ( I have seen him do that).
I've recently begun seeing an oncologist, he has two NPs that I'm sure also see patients ( and do lots of the paperwork, test ordering and management) , but in the short time I have been going there, my impression is that the communication between the staff members ( lots and lots of them) and the docs is very good. I saw one of the NPs during my first oncology visit before I saw the doc, she spent about 1/2 hour with me, did a physical exam, got a detailed medical history, my perspectives and general knowledge of the diagnosis that led me there, as well as various treatment and management regimens. She gave a synopsis, I guess you would call it, to the doc before he came in to see me.
In my PCPs office there is one doctor, one full time NP and another part time NP. I know the full time NP has her own patients, and is their full time provider. I've heard nothing but accolades for her, people love her and believe she provides excellent care. I saw her once recently, when the doctor wasn't available and I needed a next day appointment, and I could see what they meant. But I see the doctor when I visit the office, unless it's on short notice and she is not there that day.
Most of the people I've heard who see the NPs in the practices have said they're happy wth the NPs ( they generally take more time and explain things better than many of the doctors). For those that said they weren't happy to see only a nurse practitioner, I've suggested that they make their wishes known to see a doctor in the practice, at least part of the time. I don't know how else one would go about seeing the practitioner of his/her choice.
The specialist most have nurse practitioners or PAs to deal for the minor things. My ENT I'm not a huge fan of but she's one of the very few in my county. I actually like her PA better than her. She takes more time with you. The actual doctor, she's a cute chick, about my age. Probably only works 3 days a week now since she hired the PA and her hubby is a surgeon. With her she's always in a hurry.
My old PCP I will see again doesn't have a PA or nurse NP. He just has a regular nurse, and assistant and one or two girls who work the desk. That's it. Very small practice and you actually see him when you need an appointment. Downside takes a month to get in since he's a small practice.
The whole PA and NP thing seems to have started in the mid 2000s. Before that you almost always saw the actual DR.
My main beef though is what they charge. My insurance if you see the NP or PA or primary doctor you're only supposed to be charge $25 copay. If you go to a specialist and see the actual doctor it's $60. The Orthopedic surgeon for example was charging me 60 and only the NP saw me!
The Ortho experience I just had was terrible though. Saw the PA. Wasted an MRI on my cervical spine when my issues are further down in my chest and back. Of course that came back clean and she handed me back to PCP and said they don't deal with per muscles lol which that isn't true. PCP totally confused why she'd even order a neck MRI and said that was a waste of money. $250 copay and I'm not sure insurance will approve an MRI on my back and chest now because of that.
I have had one NP, was "skeptical" at first. Turned out okay and she actually cared and in spite of being overloaded at the clinic, she "listened" to me.
Then she got fired, have no idea why, got a letter in the mail.
I now get to see a doctor and now to enjoy this time until he retires. Awesome old man like me/lol and knows his stuff!!
I have had one NP, was "skeptical" at first. Turned out okay and she actually cared and in spite of being overloaded at the clinic, she "listened" to me.
Then she got fired, have no idea why, got a letter in the mail.
I now get to see a doctor and now to enjoy this time until he retires. Awesome old man like me/lol and knows his stuff!!
When he "retires"
That's another thing. Doctors at these big practices never last long around here. The last two cardiologist my mom has at Millenium took jobs in the Tampa area. My late father used the VA and same there. One went to Tampa, and another doctor moved back to PA because his kids hated it around here, wanted bigger city.
Is there more money for doctors, especially specialist in the bigger cities, or do they just like bigger cities, especially the younger ones? I've head Lee Memorial has troubles attracting young doctors to SWFL.
I switched back to Millinum because my pcp no longer took my insurance. I love how they have labs, imaging all in one place and can get in faster for test, but I always get the nurse practitioner not the actual dr. Which I hate. Im swtiching back to my old pcp and will pay the 100 bucks to see him without insurance. I'm having some issues so he can send me to the right specialist and doesn't hesitate to prescribe me medications. The nurse practitioner isn't doing much.
It seems all these big practices, even specialist they all have you see the pa now or nurse practitioner. Do the doctors just work pt and play golf?? My old doctor you actually see him.
Great point about the PA's and I forgot to add that to my last post here. That drives my wife insane when she makes an appt w/ a doc, and w/o any notice, in comes the PA. That is deceptive, rude, and a bad business practice imho. If you are told in advance...fine. If you are really sick, & facing death, the last thing you want to see is a PA.
Great point about the PA's and I forgot to add that to my last post here. That drives my wife insane when she makes an appt w/ a doc, and w/o any notice, in comes the PA. That is deceptive, rude, and a bad business practice imho. If you are told in advance...fine. If you are really sick, & facing death, the last thing you want to see is a PA.
Yep! Again my beef with that is "some" doctors offices will charge you the dr copay. My Blue Cross if I see a PA or NP it's only a $25 copay but that ortho is sneaky and charged me the full $60 like I was seeing the actual Dr.
The whole nurse practitioner thing started around 2010 it seems. The dermatologist I saw in St. Louis after my first visit which was with the MD was with the NP. Granted she was a very good NP and seemed better than the dr.
Even psychiatrist now have PAs and NP that give the meds instead of seeing the dr. That's scary and dangerous.
TBH though I can see why they're doing this, especially the bigger practices. NP make good money, but not doctor money. The doctors found out you can hire a NP and double your patient load and make more money. They can give the meds out but save a lot of money instead of hiring another doctor.
Really, it's all about the money here.
Not bashing nurses or PAs btw. It's that I pay $530 a month for my insurance and have copays. When I go to a doctor I want to see the doctor.
I really do have to wonder if some of the doctors also have them so they can take more time off too. Like my ENT I mentioned only works like 3 days a week ever since she hired the PA to do everything. I don't get it. She does surgeries too so she's making bank. If I was making 400 grand a year I'd have no problem working 50 hours a week, 5 days a week. Sign me up!
The bad experience I had recently was with an orthopedic practice in Venice. They have good ratings, and 3 locations in the Venice, Sarasota area. Again, I saw the PA instead of one of the doctors. Waste of time and total misdiagnosis. Ordered an MRI on my neck which it wasn't even the neck area my spasms, nerve pain is coming from. Wasted $250 copay. My PCP looked at me and was puzzeled why she looked at the neck and said I wasted my time there when we all told them where my problem is. Pectoral muscle area which IS an ortho issue because 3 doctors told me to see one.
Great point about the PA's and I forgot to add that to my last post here. That drives my wife insane when she makes an appt w/ a doc, and w/o any notice, in comes the PA. That is deceptive, rude, and a bad business practice imho. If you are told in advance...fine. If you are really sick, & facing death, the last thing you want to see is a PA.
Yes, I am with your wife on that issue. Just last week I had called to "schedule" my Wellness Checkup which also includes my yearly flu shot.
Got the date and time I wanted. And received a "confirmation email".
Next day I receive a "confirmation email" with same date and time but I was "switched" to a NP who I have NEVER seen since last one got fired.
I call and ASK "nicely" so as not to step on any toes, why?
Lol, they had no idea, but switched me back to my AWESOME old doctor and I again received a "confirmation email" I was scheduled with him.
Yes, I am with your wife on that issue. Just last week I had called to "schedule" my Wellness Checkup which also includes my yearly flu shot.
Got the date and time I wanted. And received a "confirmation email".
Next day I receive a "confirmation email" with same date and time but I was "switched" to a NP who I have NEVER seen since last one got fired.
I call and ASK "nicely" so as not to step on any toes, why?
Lol, they had no idea, but switched me back to my AWESOME old doctor and I again received a "confirmation email" I was scheduled with him.
They thought I would NOT read the email/lol.
I want my doctor
Yea, that's bs.
At Millenium the doctor I'm assigned to but never see. However I was in the waiting room at one of my appointments and they said to a lady "you're here to see dr so so" which is my doctor. I'm wondering how she gets to see the actual doctor. Seriously makes me wonder if these doctors don't even work full time hours. Hire NP on the cheap, get more patients crammed in and have more free time.
The PCP I'm going back to only has a regular nurse, assistant and a couple office ladies. He works 4.5 days a week. Fri afternoons off and I think Tue mornings no patients because he does office work. Otherwise he's 8-5 and actually see him.
The whole NP thing is all about money.
Oh, and at Fawcett I didn't even see a dr! One of the times I went to the ER via Ambulance for being faint, and chest pains they sat me there for 4 hours. Didn't see a doctor at all! Just the PA briefly. The few hours I was there I only saw a doctor walking around there for about 5 minutes and otherwise just the PA. Never seen a hospital ER like that before.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
