Poll:Number of doctors you see regularly

[NW-Bound]

With the ACA enrollment period starting, many posters talk about the number of doctors that they can keep with their new 2017 policy. I was surprised to see the high number of doctors in some cases.

We used to see only our PCP, which we unfortunately will lose next year. Due to a recent serious illness, I may or may not need to see the specialist who treated me, but that's only an annual follow-up. My wife sees no doctor besides the PCP. And then, we see him once a year for the annual checkup and blood test. Maybe if we miss him, we see him one more time.

Of course I do not count the doctors we used for the colonoscopy. Nor do I count the otolaryngologist I saw once 2 years ago due to a freak ear infection (and hopefully will not see again for a long time).

So, in answering the poll, do not count doctors whom you would only see on a contingency. Count only doctors or specialists you see on a recurrent basis, for continuing treatments. I guess you would have to see him at least once a year in order to count.

[6miths]

Have a family doc. Have seen him maybe 3 times in 10 years. Blessed with good health.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6miths Have a family doc. Have seen him maybe 3 times in 10 years. Blessed with good health.

I made the point to see mine at least once a year. One year, I skipped and he had my file put away in storage (I could have moved, or died). Had him for a long time, and hate to lose him for 2017 because he's not on the new insurer's list.

PS. By the way, even when I feel healthy, it's good to have a blood test to see if anything's amiss. High blood glucose, triglyceride, or kidney malfunction may not have any symptom until it is too late.

[Just_Steve]

1) PCP
2) Radiation Oncologist (twice a year followups)
3) Urologist (related to reason for # 2)
4) ENT (chronic ear infections)
5) Dermatologist (a bit of Eczema)

Nothing serious, well except for #2. But hey, it's only cancer, we all can't live to be 100.

[gauss]

1 PCP
1 Urologist watching annually for recurrence of Kidney Stones - Ouch

Note I'm just 51 now so this list could grow as time elapses

-gauss

[ABQ2015]

PCP, dermatologist (skin cancer screenings), and gynecologist. Next one will probably be an ophthalmologist due to deteriorating vision in one eye.

[NW-Bound]

I could have added an urologist to my list, because of my kidney propensity to produce stones, and they are big ones too (posted a photo here a while back ).

Anyway, that was 15 years ago, when I was merely 45. He prescribed Allopurinol, and said I had to take it for life (and to see him every 6 months). But he also added that I needed to drink more water. Daily drug or water? I chose water, and have been doing fine (except when I forget - ouch!).

Needless to say, I have not been back to see him since.

[Gumby]

I go to a PCP once a year, because my health insurance will charge me $100 more per month if I don't. It's always the same routine -- "Any problems? No. Maybe you could lose a few pounds. Okay." Done and gone in 15 minutes. If it wouldn't cost $1200 a year, I wouldn't go to the doctor unless and until something breaks. I don't have any prescriptions.

[rodi]

I have a PCP - but I only see here every few years.

If I get sick and it's more than just a virus - I tend to go to urgent care.

I get a mammogram and pap at the regularly scheduled intervals - but that's not my primary doctor.... it's a breast health tech and a physicians assistant that handle those (separate) appts. I get the colonoscopy whenever Kaiser nags me... But I don't really interact with that doctor.

My kids have a pediatrician. But are more likely to see orthopedic docs (last year they broke a lot of bones.) My son is seeing a maxillofacial surgeon next week - but that's for an acute issue.

[gauss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound I could have added an urologist to my list, because of my kidney propensity to produce stones, and they are big ones too (posted a photo here a while back ). Anyway, that was 15 years ago, when I was merely 45. He prescribed Allopurinol, and said I had to take it for life (and to see him every 6 months). But he also added that I needed to drink more water. Daily drug or water? I chose water, and have been doing fine (except when I forget - ouch!). Needless to say, I have not been back to see him since.

I have actually been keeping the yearly appointments for about 5 years now with the Kidney Stone seeking Urologist.

The first occurrence of this took place in my mid-late 40's after I lost a fair amount of weight (~50 lbs).

For less than $150 per annual visit it seemed like a reasonable splurge expense . He never prescribed medication for me. Just more water and limit the Oxlates.

If nothing else it keeps me accountable for water intake -- Kind of like the Bi-Annual dentist visit for brushing/flossing.

-gauss

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi I have a PCP - but I only see here every few years. I get a mammogram and pap at the regularly scheduled intervals - but that's not my primary doctor.... it's a breast health tech and a physicians assistant that handle those (separate) appts...

Same with my wife. But that is at the same office of the PCP, so it is really the same as seeing him.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby I go to a PCP once a year, because my health insurance will charge me $100 more per month if I don't. It's always the same routine -- "Any problems? No. Maybe you could lose a few pounds. Okay." Done and gone in 15 minutes. If it wouldn't cost $1200 a year, I wouldn't go to the doctor unless and until something breaks. I don't have any prescriptions.

No blood test? The blood test is the most useful thing, compared to having the doc listening to your lungs (yep, sounds clear), ensuring you still have a pulse, and doing some, ahem, fondling and poking.

I wonder if I can order my own blood test and spare everyone else the hassle. Heck, the printout of tests even highlights the results that are not in the normal range, so that you can see if your glucose is high, or your potassium is low or whatever.

[Moemg]

PCP
Pulmonary Doctor every six months
Eye Doctor yearly

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg PCP Pulmonary Doctor every six months Eye Doctor yearly

I assume that's an ophthalmologist.

I did not count the optometrist I see, oh, about once every 4 years, whenever my nearsightedness glasses get so scratched up and I need a new pair.

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound No blood test? The blood test is the most useful thing, compared to having the doc listening to your lungs (yep, sounds clear), ensuring you still have a pulse, and doing some, ahem, fondling and poking. I wonder if I can order my own blood test and spare everyone else the hassle. Heck, the printout of tests even highlights the results that are not in the normal range, so that you can see if your glucose is high, or your potassium is low or whatever.

Yes, I have to get a blood test the week before, but there is never anything to talk about.

[meierlde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound No blood test? The blood test is the most useful thing, compared to having the doc listening to your lungs (yep, sounds clear), ensuring you still have a pulse, and doing some, ahem, fondling and poking. I wonder if I can order my own blood test and spare everyone else the hassle. Heck, the printout of tests even highlights the results that are not in the normal range, so that you can see if your glucose is high, or your potassium is low or whatever.

Actually for blood glucose you don't need a prescription to buy the meter or test strips. You can just order at Amazon or pick up at the local Wal-Mart/target. Just like you can buy a blood pressure device. Note that for the glucose meter its just a finger stick an a drop of blood needed. Typically you would want to test after a 12 hour fast.

Also local hospitals may have days when the do a bunch of tests for a reduced price if you pay with a credit card or cash also.

[Marita40]

Vitreoretinal specialist--I have a chronic eye condition in one eye that needs watching. Go for check ups 2 or 3 x per year
G.P. semi-regular checkups
Orthopedic surgeon for follow ups from the toe surgery I had last March (and am still recovering from). Hopefully the lingering pain will resolve at some point and I can scratch him off my list!

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meierlde Actually for blood glucose you don't need a prescription to buy the meter or test strips. You can just order at Amazon or pick up at the local Wal-Mart/target. Just like you can buy a blood pressure device. Note that for the glucose meter its just a finger stick an a drop of blood needed. Typically you would want to test after a 12 hour fast. Also local hospitals may have days when the do a bunch of tests for a reduced price if you pay with a credit card or cash also.

Do they have DIY for A1C?

I also want to know about a whole bunch of other "stuff", the whole metabolic panel, kidney and liver functions, etc... Potassium, sodium, calcium, uranium, plutonium, etc... What do you mean they don't test for radioactive stuff? Well, they should.

Ah, throw in some blood cell counts too, the red cells and all the different types of white cells, whatever they are called (can't remember, which is why I never ever thought of becoming a doctor).

These tests are pretty cheap. I think my last test was $30 or something like that, all inclusive. Heck, for me to draw someone's blood, I would charge $100 just for that (and poke about 10 holes to get the job done).

[HillCountry]

No doctors last 10 years. First wellness check tomorrow.

[aja8888]

One doc, one annual physical. No issues @73. All was normal last visit. I suppose this will change when I get old.