Visit With Primary Care

[goofycow]

Those of you that know me know that I don't sign on very often except to whine. I lost my only brother late Oct, so now I have no family and no friends. Most of my disability is for major depressive disorder but I am also IU.

For some reason, VA seems very reluctant to do anything about my arhritus(sp) and fibro. Yesterday when I went to my primary care provider I was hurting mentally & physically. The primary care person told me she could do nothing for my joint pain & was sorry that I was hurting. When I told her I was "ready to go" and tired of living. she basically told me that she was sorry I felt that way. End of visit. They will see me again in a year.

For that I drove 3 hr round trip and used a quarter of a tank of gas. I left with the feeling my life met nothing to them, but then I state the obvious. Think of the boat load of cash the govt. would save once I croak!

[Josephine]

Liz,

It is good to hear from you. I am extremely sorry for the loss of your brother.

I don't know about these doctors, I am convinced anymore they do not care at all about the patient.

I wish there was someway I could help you.

Take Care,

Betty

[jbasser]

Liz, do you have Medicare?

If you do, find you a new primary care doc outside of the va. They appear to be more attentative and caring than the old mass production move them out next VA.

J

[john999]

You know something funny? It is getting harder and harder to get a primary care doctor to treat new patients on the outside. The reimbursement rates of medicare and many insurance HMO's and PPO's is so small that the docs just don't make that much money compared to specialists. My internist does not take new patients.

[Pete53]

Liz:

Sorry for your loss but you have Hadit and that by itself can be a big help.

Pete

[jbasser]

You know something funny? It is getting harder and harder to get a primary care doctor to treat new patients on the outside. The reimbursement rates of medicare and many insurance HMO's and PPO's is so small that the docs just don't make that much money compared to specialists. My internist does not take new patients.

It actually depends on geographic location. Florida Docs may not acceept new patients because of the sheer numbers or retirees who live there. I believe In Arkansas, There wont be much of a problem.

J