Well, I'm in the market for a new Primary physician... again.

I need to refill my meds, I had all of the lab work done and set it to my former PCP along with the refill request.

I got a phone call earlier telling me that I need to come to the office before the Dr would write the refills. I asked why. The nurse said that the Dr wanted to talk to me about my A1c and that I also have to see an endocrinologist. I went downhill from there. Apparently, he wants me to come in so he can lecture me about the results. I told her I wasn't going to come in and he had what he needed, which is the test result.

Then she starts asking me who my primary was. I told her that they have been my primary for almost a year now. She continued to tell me that I needed to come in to the office.

My response: I'll just find a different doctor. And then I hung up.

With 20 years in health care, I'm not about to play their games. My gut feeling that the doctor making the demands was the same one I saw earlier in the year. When he wrote my prescriptions back then, he screwed 2 of them up. This is the same guy that had the lab tech come in to draw blood before he even saw me. They have a nasty habit of writing scripts for everything, but one of them is always written for a lesser number of refills than the others, forcing you to go to the office and spend more money.

That's just bizarre. Our family doc's schedule is booked up well in advance -- they don't need to play games to get their waiting room full. I called last week and asked for 2 prescriptions to be renewed that had gone beyond their final refill date, not really a "new" Rx but had to be called in again. I explained that I'd continued taking one of them this whole time, just had to work my way through a backlog (autoship isn't always your friend); the other I'd been able to stop for the past 6 months (with his knowledge) but found I needed again now (and, like, NOW). 3 days later I had my meds from the mail order pharmacy. That's the way it should work!

I just spent 40 minutes on the phone with my healthcare insurance for Medicare. Absolutely every minute was productive!

The agent went through my plan options reviewing the pros and cons of both. Once I had decided on a plan, he completed the application, sent it to me for signature and submitted it.

The monthly premium is $42. The other plan was $0., but had some 'gotchas'. I went with the plan that I did because even though there is coverage for things I don't need yet, I'm not getting any younger!

The only major step I have left to finish is actually applying for social security, and I'm going to hold off on that one as long as I can.

Rick, what would be your max out of pocket for the medical and RX costs?

RJ,

I only had 2 real options for my ZIP. This one, and one with no monthly premium, but higher everything else.

Monthly premium
$42

Out-of-pocket maximum
$7,550

Inpatient hospital
$360 copay per day: days 1-5
$0 copay per day after that for unlimited days

Primary care provider (PCP)
$0 copay

Specialist
$45 copay

Annual medical deductible
$0

Tier 1: Preferred Generic
$0 copay

Annual prescription deductible
$0 for Tiers 1-2
$195 for Tiers 3-5

Now that the insurance is pretty much figured out, I figured I should probably look for a physician. That is waaaaaaay easier said than done.

The first place I called didn't have any openings until December. [bDecember[/b]! Apparently they see one (1) new patient a week an only on Wednesdays. Who has time to wait six months to see the doctor?

On to the second on. Even worse. Even though they say they are accepting new patients, they aren't. You have an option to join a waiting list. Assuming you do get 'in', you're going to pay for it, to the tune of $325.00/month. This is above and beyond others costs. It is solely for the privilege of having this guy as your doctor.

I really don't want to drive into Bethesda or, worse, DC. I have to sit back and re-think this mess.

We really like Frederick Primary Care, and I believe they have an office in Urbana. That would be better than DC at least!

I went to see mt new doctor a few days ago. Impression: A GAZILLION STARS!

When I walked in to the office, the front desk was welcoming, competent and efficient. After checking in, they ask me to have a seat.

About 5 minutes later, the Medical Assistant called me back. She did the usual height/weight/BP stuff. Then, she reviewed all of the information I had provided in the on-line registration. As she was leaving, she said that I would like the doctor.

She wasn't wrong.

There was a light knock on the door, and then this young guy about 6'6" came in. After introducing himself, we got down to business. We again reviewed the information I provided earlier. Each item was followed by him wanting to know more to fill in the blanks. We reviewed my medications, and he sent off the refill script to the pharmacy.

I had stated when I made the appointment, that it was strictly for the med refills and that I wold make a follow up appointment for a physical. After sending the prescriptions to the pharmacy, he gave me a lab slip to have all of the lab work done prior to my next visit.

Then came the biggest surprise. He schedule my follow up appointment HIMSELF. There was no 'stop at the front desk', 'call in a few weeks', 'go to the web site', etc. He pulled up his schedule, stating that he didn't work on Fridays. He scrolled over to September and gave me my options. Since I would have had my lab work done already, I told him that I didn't need an appointment early in the day. He got me set up, thanked me again for coming in and said he would see me in September.

I am not exaggerating when I say that this was the best experience I have had at a doctors office in more than 20 years.

Oh, the name of this phenomenal doctor?
Jason Lowery, M.D.
First Medical Associates
Germantown, MD

Excellent Rick!

So good to hear. It seems such a crap shoot trying a new practice.

Husband had a similar experience with a new dentist- in being so pleased all around, and she also did some 'desk tasks' herself.
Transcendent Smiles
https://g.co/kgs/urXhuaj

For the first time in 58 years...

I can see clearly now, the lenses are gone!

Yep, you guessed it. I finally broke down and got Lasik earlier today.

Wow, Rick, that's fabulous!

I had my follow up today. After less than 24 hours, I'm seeing

Right eye (OD): Distance, 20/15

Left eye (OS): Near, 20/20

As the eyes heal over the next month or so, those numbers may well improve.

After having LASIK I remember feeling really tall.

I'm convinced that the universe has a target on me. Earlier, I took a bite of a piece of chocolate. It wasn't as soft as it should have been. And there was a reason for that. Another crown popped off.

I'm going to give it a few days to see how the chewing goes. Otherwise, it's off to find a dentist.

Bummer. Mark is waiting on next stage of 2 implants.. had to put it off due to COVID last week.

I can't do implants. Aside from the cost, my jaw bone isn't tall/thick enough to hold the device.

Larry had implants done. They finished the installation procedure just a fw months before he passed.

Oh, what a shame, he didn't have longer to enjoy them

My brother in law wanted implants, they told him that at his age it wouldn't be worth it.