Unable to make appointment with specialist

[Susie2310]

Are other people experiencing this? I recently tried to make an appointment with a physician specialist (can't provide any more details) who I have been a patient of for a number of years. I was told that patients are being referred to their primary care provider for this type of appointment, as the specialists are too busy!?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Or is it that the specialist is no longer needed? When I had my hypertensive crisis and syncopal episodes, you bet your bippy I saw my cardiologist. However, once I was stabilized and on medication, I no longer required the cardiologist and management of my hypertension was the role of my primary care provider. People are sicker with more comorbidities; let the sicker patients have the specialist appointments if it's something the PCP can manage.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

Depending on what type of specialist it is, they might just be swamped. For example, in my (very large) suburban area there are only 3 rheumatologists so when I was first referred to one several years ago, it took almost 4 months to get an appointment. RA is not a condition my PCP is qualified to deal with so I see the specialist every 3-4 months.

It could be, as Rose_Queen said, that you don't need the services of a specialist any longer.

[amoLucia]

And perhaps the insurance companies' reimbursement for specific diagnoses make it $$ impractical to manage when a PMP/GP can manage it.

(Kind of same idea of treating some diagnosis with a brand name drug vs the generic equivalent - insurer's choice.)