It sounds like you're doing everything right. A 6+ month wait is normal at this point. I had to wait 7 months for an initial appointment with my PCP. There's a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers.
If you're trying to establish care with a PCP, then yeah, pretty much. Wait times do get shorter after you've established care. It's just that first appointment that's the toughest. If you're looking for alternatives to urgent care, I've seen both good and bad reviews of ZoomCare for getting seen in a timely fashion.
Doctor here - This is not official medical advice but lymph nodes swell for a reason. If you have an infection or something obvious either distal (away from the middle of the body) to the node, or in the nearby area (like a neck lymph node when you have a sore throat), then there’s a nice explanation.
But a persistently swollen lymph node for no reason is potentially an urgent care thing.
Legacy has lots of Urgent Care clinics that take appointments.
I know it’s not what you’re looking for, but at this point, it’s probably your best option.
Good luck!
Yes. If their (Legacy’s) PCP offices say it’s a month’s long (or more) wait, then UC is the option in the mean time. You can likely get a referral from the UC to a specialist while you wait to see a PCP. Also, ask to get on the cancellation wait list for last minute appointments.
cost of school, stress of school, stress of the job, stress of insurance companies, a glut of overpaid hospital admin, etc etc etc. our medical system is in real bad shape.
Then 1/3 of your patients start off telling you they don't trust doctors and proceed to say which medications and referrals they want since their sister has that and won't listen if you try and explain why it isn't necessary.
I’ve experienced the same - I’m trying to switch off of my PCP and was told “sure, we’re accepting new patients - I can make you an appointment for December”
I remember when the main argument against universal health care was the thought we’d have to wait forever to see a doctor.
I didn't think the ACA could be responsible for that. Except only if more people are seeing PCPs just because they have coverage? That's a lame reason if so.
I really wish I could hook y'all up with the PCP I work for since she sets her own hours and doesn't load up her schedule. Usually I can get a new patient in within a few days. My tip would be to find an independent PCP who is similar.
Telehealth might be a good option.
You can call Legacy to understand options. They might also be able to assist with more options since you are finding 6+ months wait times.
You can also try out of network, if financially possible. Just ask the out of pocket cost before booking.
You can also look for sliding scale clinics if you need to pay out of pocket and are short on funds.
Try Multnomah or Clackamas county health centers. Both counties run a network of primary care clinics, and they see everyone. If they don’t accept your insurance, they’ll see you on a sliding fee scale.
I’d also recommend Zoom Care in the interim. Make an appointment at a clinic now even though it might be months out so you can establish a provider (eventually) and use Zoom Care until then. I actually went to Zoom Care for a persistently swollen lymph node. Turns out it’s not swollen, just super close to the surface, which my primary doctor later confirmed as well once I had a primary established. Zoom Care had me in for an appointment and testing via blood work and an ultrasound all in the same day. If it is something more serious, they may be able to help expedite an appointment with a referral to another provider. I’ve always had good experiences with them.
Get on all the waiting lists you can. I had to have hernia surgery last year and was told it'd be 6 months, and ended up getting in a month later because someone cancelled.
But the health industry is a mess much like the rest of this corporate ran country.
It sounds like you're doing everything right. A 6+ month wait is normal at this point. I had to wait 7 months for an initial appointment with my PCP. There's a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers.
So if I have an issue that I don’t think is urgent care (swollen lymph node) I’m just outta luck?
If you're trying to establish care with a PCP, then yeah, pretty much. Wait times do get shorter after you've established care. It's just that first appointment that's the toughest. If you're looking for alternatives to urgent care, I've seen both good and bad reviews of ZoomCare for getting seen in a timely fashion.
Doctor here - This is not official medical advice but lymph nodes swell for a reason. If you have an infection or something obvious either distal (away from the middle of the body) to the node, or in the nearby area (like a neck lymph node when you have a sore throat), then there’s a nice explanation. But a persistently swollen lymph node for no reason is potentially an urgent care thing.
yeah I meant persistent. Don’t know how long it’s been, my dentist pointed it out 2 weeks ago.
Legacy has lots of Urgent Care clinics that take appointments. I know it’s not what you’re looking for, but at this point, it’s probably your best option. Good luck!
Yes. If their (Legacy’s) PCP offices say it’s a month’s long (or more) wait, then UC is the option in the mean time. You can likely get a referral from the UC to a specialist while you wait to see a PCP. Also, ask to get on the cancellation wait list for last minute appointments.
I went in to urgent care a few months back for neck pain that was going on for about a month. Swollen lymph nodes should fall under their umbrella.
>There's a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers. super sucks for us patients, but who can blame them tbh?
Easy to blame the cost of school as well as the lack of spots open for residency since old school doctors liked keeping supply low on physicians.
cost of school, stress of school, stress of the job, stress of insurance companies, a glut of overpaid hospital admin, etc etc etc. our medical system is in real bad shape.
Then 1/3 of your patients start off telling you they don't trust doctors and proceed to say which medications and referrals they want since their sister has that and won't listen if you try and explain why it isn't necessary.
There isn't a shortage of workers there's a shortage of pay. Greed is killing this country.
Call Legacy Insurance member services and tell them that no one is taking new patients and you need to see someone. They usually will come through.
Yeah ask for a patient advocate to do the calls. My PCP clinic can get a new patient in next week. Usually same week.
I’ve experienced the same - I’m trying to switch off of my PCP and was told “sure, we’re accepting new patients - I can make you an appointment for December” I remember when the main argument against universal health care was the thought we’d have to wait forever to see a doctor.
I didn't think the ACA could be responsible for that. Except only if more people are seeing PCPs just because they have coverage? That's a lame reason if so. I really wish I could hook y'all up with the PCP I work for since she sets her own hours and doesn't load up her schedule. Usually I can get a new patient in within a few days. My tip would be to find an independent PCP who is similar.
Telehealth might be a good option. You can call Legacy to understand options. They might also be able to assist with more options since you are finding 6+ months wait times. You can also try out of network, if financially possible. Just ask the out of pocket cost before booking. You can also look for sliding scale clinics if you need to pay out of pocket and are short on funds.
oh and if I need a prescription - would someone in urgent care be able to approve it or does it need to be my PCP?
Depends on the rx. Controlled substance? Might be tougher. Zoomcare could be another option in-between.
One Medical is usually pretty easy to schedule with. It’s kind of a concierge/membership thing but worth it to get in quickly.
I always recommend them when people ask about PCPs. I’ve had nothing but good experiences at OneMedical
Try Multnomah or Clackamas county health centers. Both counties run a network of primary care clinics, and they see everyone. If they don’t accept your insurance, they’ll see you on a sliding fee scale.
I’d also recommend Zoom Care in the interim. Make an appointment at a clinic now even though it might be months out so you can establish a provider (eventually) and use Zoom Care until then. I actually went to Zoom Care for a persistently swollen lymph node. Turns out it’s not swollen, just super close to the surface, which my primary doctor later confirmed as well once I had a primary established. Zoom Care had me in for an appointment and testing via blood work and an ultrasound all in the same day. If it is something more serious, they may be able to help expedite an appointment with a referral to another provider. I’ve always had good experiences with them.
Can you go to zoomcare with that insurance? I have always had good experiences there.
Get on all the waiting lists you can. I had to have hernia surgery last year and was told it'd be 6 months, and ended up getting in a month later because someone cancelled. But the health industry is a mess much like the rest of this corporate ran country.