I'll try and keep it brief: TL;DR: The more I write this is comes off as a rant... Anyway the meat of it is here:
Trying to set up and appointment with primary care: I want to discuss ADHD as an adult and explore prescription options that I tried while in middle/high school. To set up an appointment in person was a 5 week wait, and via telephone is 3 weeks. Is this a normal process/delay for such a request? I seriously feel like even with covid, asking to see a doctor should be a few days at MOST, not a month and a week. What will happen if I hurt my wrist? will i need to wait 35 days until they talk to me and get my story and tell me to put ice on it?
Longer Version;
I'm new to healthcare in the US. I'm american, but as a kid, and up till 25(?) I basically followed my parent's instruction to go to the small family medicine offices near the house every so often.
Now, I Have good Insurance.
My wife who's also no idea what to expect from american primary care/ family medicine works. In her country, you just show up to the hospital and same day you'll talk to the specialist who'll be assigned to to right away. within hours you'll be out the door, either with the answers you were looking for, or a referral to call a specialist (which may take a week to schedule, but that's to be expected if you're seeing a specialist)
Anyway,
backstory: previously- When I wanted to start doing my regular yearly exam/screening for the very first time, I called the two nearest Family Medicines near my house. I picked the one which higher reviews, and shorter lead time on new-patient visits. took 3 weeks to get into an introductory appointment, whatever; it's my first time maybe they're backlogged.
My reason to see the Doc now: I would like to "Talk to a doctor about my ADHD symptoms, and how to go about getting a small prescribed treatment and see how it is". (when I was a child, I was diagnosed with ADHD, and given a very small prescription to try. I was 12 maybe? I didn't know what to 'feel' so when I had it, i told them I didn't notice and they stopped the treatment.) I want to try again to see now that I'm an adult and know what is my normal and what my shortcomings are, how I can be better.
So I call the reception; 20 minute hold before answered. Last name, first name, birthday. Explain what I'm looking for, and the response is 5 weeks before an in-person visit.... "What about televisit?" well, that's better but it's 3 weeks away.
Are these kinds of long-delays to be expected? I'm at the 'BEST Health network in metro-detroit' the healthcare where people with good insurance go, but their best is 5 weeks for a visit or 3 weeks for a phone call at a family practice? The way the TV advertises medicine is " want this orange inhaler? talk to you doctor to see if inhaleX is right for you" it seems like the TV thinks that everyone's doctor is basically a email or a short phone call or a visit tomorrow away. Should my primary care doc be able to field questions within days?
Are these long delays a 'new normal' due to COVID? I never had done this prior to the pandemic so I don't know what it was like before.
Should I look for another Primary Care? Like, maybe for the same reasons I chose my office is the same reason everyone else is there, making the time to schedule appointments long.
I Guess, what my real question(s) is/are:
Is this what I've got to always expect all the time? long waits to just talk to the Doc?
What if I have a swollen wrist, without cause- Do I have to wait 5 weeks for my primary care to see it before referring me to a specialist?
What if my pee is dark? Do I need to wait 5 weeks to get a referral?
Digressing;
Like,
Please. tell me if you know:
How or where do I go, tell them my problem and get seen in a reasonable time? Urgent Care? I went there once for a rolled ankle, and they said go to primary care or the ER.
All I know is my wife's stories of her Country's hospitals where you call the office, they say a (random) physician will see you tomorrow, or later that day, you go and you explain your circumstances and they'll Send you where you need to go, either home, the the XRAY, or to the referrals specialist. Do we have this in the US?
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