Long Wait Time to get Appointment with Dermatologist

[Koolau]

We just have a yearly visit with our dermatologist. Rarely a need to be looked at on an emergency basis.

By the way, I have had a few "bumps" like you describe and the dermatologist told me what they were (I've forgotten) but not anything I should worry about, she said. Of course, I have no idea about yours, but your description does not sound particularly scary.

When I see red patches, the doctor burns them off. She calls them "pre-cancer." She hasn't seen anything she is too worried about though she's done a few biopsies with benign results over the years.

DW had a red patch which WAS basil cell carcinoma that required MOHS surgery last year. It's good to have regular appointments - then you don't have to worry too much about getting in to see the doctor for every new bump (I seem to find a new one every month or so.) If you're really worried about bumps/patches, etc., get 6 month check ups.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I had this problem of not being able to get an appointment for 6 months with a dermatologist and 5 months with a urologist when I was on my wife's work health insurance plan. Now that I'm on Medicare with a medigap policy I don't wait to see specialists. This is a huge benefit of not being on a managed care Medicare supplement plan.

OP, what kind of insurance are you on?

 

[John Galt III]

I had this problem of not being able to get an appointment for 6 months with a dermatologist and 5 months with a urologist when I was on my wife's work health insurance plan. Now that I'm on Medicare with a medigap policy I don't wait to see specialists. This is a huge benefit of not being on a managed care Medicare supplement plan.

OP, what kind of insurance are you on?

I'm not on a supplement. I'm on a medicare advantage plan. I didn't know different types of insurance affected your place in the treatment queue.


When I told the receptionist my insurance, said said "Oh, good, that's one we accept!"



I could have mentioned in my first post that I was considered a 'new patient' to the derm group, even though I was just following my existing derma there. Maybe the 'new patient' status made the wait longer, didn't ask. I still had the option of getting in sooner if it started to bleed or doubled in size.



I have checked my ins coverage for possible future Mohs surgery, as much as I can, and it is 100% covered, the ins co says. All I have paid so far is a $25 copay for the office visit a week ago.



The derm office tells me I am worrying too much, and 'jumping the gun', with all my questions. But I have learned you have to check *everything* out beforehand, to avoid unwanted results.



I plan to ask for before and after pics from some of the Mohs surgeon's previous cases. Hope I don't offend her. It's awkward for me to do this stuff, but it has to be done, imo.



My tendency is actually to just let the doctors do whatever they want, and not interfere, but that just doesn't work well usually.

 

[frayne]

My tendency is actually to just let the doctors do whatever they want, and not interfere, but that just doesn't work well usually.

Many of us boomers came of age in an era where unquestioning trust in doctors was the norm. Nowadays, being your own advocate in healthcare is essential, as providers often find themselves at the mercy of the institutions they work for.

 

[Nash]

Many of us boomers came of age in an era where unquestioning trust in doctors was the norm. Nowadays, being your own advocate in healthcare is essential, as providers often find themselves at the mercy of the institutions they work for.

Great post frayne.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I'm not on a supplement. I'm on a medicare advantage plan. I didn't know different types of insurance affected your place in the treatment queue..

Sorry, I meant Medicare Advantage.

With a Medicare medigap policy (I have plan N) you can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare, not just the ones in whatever network you belong to with an Advantage plan.

Once I got on Medicare I switched to different dermatologist and urologist. Not only do I get in within a week or so, I think the doctors are better.

 

[RetiredHappy]

We also have a concierge doctor who gets us to the best specialists and the ability to jump the line with a call from his office when we need to be seen urgently.

 

[Aerides]

I could have mentioned in my first post that I was considered a 'new patient' to the derm group, even though I was just following my existing derma there. Maybe the 'new patient' status made the wait longer, didn't ask.

This is my (non-medicare) experience with a lot of specialists. Once you're in, you're golden, but for a first visit the wait is usually longer.

 

[Dawg52]

I have a great dermatologist. Last year I had a nagging squamous cell taken off my arm and it was slow to heal. He gave me his cell number and I sent him weekly pics of it. I think I'm just a slow healer as I had another one cut off my face recently and the darn thing drained for almost a month. Healing is fine now and I see him next week for a follow up. I see him every 6 months and always have something frozen or cut off. Too many years out in the sun when I was young playing golf or baseball.

 

[Turbo29]

I see my dermatologist every six months as I have had basal cell carcinoma in the past. Last year, in between visits, I got bump on my neck that I thought was a boil at first. When it didn't go away I called the dermatology office and they said they could get me in in two weeks to see the dermatologist or that afternoon to see the PA. I chose the PA. I went in and he said it looked like a squamous cell cancer. He took a biopsy; it came back as squamous cell and I had Moh's surgery three weeks later. Surgeon did a great job; I don't even remember which side it was on now.

 

[MarieIG]

I can usually get an appointment with my derm within a week.

 

[Texas Proud]

LOL, just set up an appt for one in late June... new patient...


But, it is that long to also book for existing patients.. so not great...

 

[Qs Laptop]

Once I got on Medicare I switched to different dermatologist and urologist. Not only do I get in within a week or so, I think the doctors are better.

Posting this must have jinxed me. I made my six month follow up urologist appointment and can't get in until May 30th.

 

[Sojourner]

I would ask about seeing a PA or NP if the wait was that long. Or ask about getting on the waitlist for an opening when someone cancels.

+1
I recently injured my lower back and was really in need of some orthopedic help ASAP. My previous orthopedist had retired, so I needed to find a new one. I called the office of one recommended by my PCP, and the specific doctor I was asking for did not have any openings for appointments for about three weeks. But... his assistant did have availability that very week (in 2 days, actually), so I gladly took the appointment. The PA turned out to be a very qualified doctor in his own right, and I knew that even if he had run into something difficult to diagnose or treat, he would've called in the more senior doctor while I was there in the office. So, TLDR; always take the first appointment available with a PA, NP, or doctor's assistant. They will likely be able to treat you as well as the senior doctor, and if not, they will call in a more senior doc right there on the spot.

 

[Chuckanut]

My dermatologist was easy to get an appointment a few years ago. He is a foreigner with a thick accent, and sometimes hard to understand. I think that discouraged people But, he removed an obnoxious growth from my chest and did it very skillfully. And I noticed he has a pile of PHDs to go with his MD.

Over the years his accent has diminished and his English has greatly improved. He is more skilled than ever, and removed a cyst from my scalp with such skill I barely noticed anything other than its absence. Definitely a keeper.

Best of all he keeps a list for those who want to jump in and scoop up a slot somebody had to cancel. It’s rare I wait more than two weeks to see him.

 

[Sabaidee]

this thread reminds me why Medical care is so much easier in other countries, particularly in Thailand which is where I am living part time. Have seen 2 dermatologists over the last 2 years. Both are quite competent (one of them practiced in the U.S. for over 10 years).

I have Medicare as well as a supplement, but the cost is very reasonable. Haven’t bothered submitting a claim.

Hope the original poster is getting necessary treatment.

 

[The Flush]

A long time ago a phlebotomist who was drawing my blood questioned a mole on my arm that looked weird and asked if I ever had it checked. I had not, so I tried to get an appointment with a dermatologist and had 4 month wait. I went to church with a Mohs surgeon and I asked him about it and he said he was not concerned about it. Right before the appointment they cancelled it and I decided to not reschedule it.

Later I had a spot on my scalp that wouldn't heal. My PCP at the time wasn't concerned about it, so I did nothing. When Jimmy Buffett died, I decided to get it checked out. I had a new PCP at the time and he took pictures and sent them to the dermatology group as part of the referral. Based on the referral, I was seen within a week. The dermatologist instantly said it was basal cell carcinoma which was verified by biopsy. I had a Mohs procedure a week later. I am on the 6 month schedule now and just had another Mohs procedure 3 weeks ago.

All the doctors have said if you have to have cancer, this is the best kind to have.

 

[meleana]

I noticed a small flesh colored bump on the tip of my nose in Dec, 2023. Receptionist said earliest I could see my derma would be in May, 2024. I told her I wanted it to be looked at as soon as possible, and she said I could get in earlier if it doubled in size or started bleeding.



I thought about going to another dermatologist, just to have it seen sooner, but opted to stay with my familiar derma, and wait til May.



It did actually double in size by early April, so I told them, and they got me in a week after I called. I mentioned to my derma that I had wanted to come in sooner, but the receptionist gave me the 'double in size or bleeding' policy. My derma said I did the right thing by calling in, but she didn't apologize for the policy, or defend it, and I didn't press the issue.



Has anyone else encountered something like this ?


By the way, the bump may or may not be something serious. She sent it out for a biopsy. No results yet.


She scraped the bump completely off, down to what looks like normal deeply scraped skin, no signs of the bump left.

Never been to one. I do ask my primary doctor to look at something that pops up when I go for my annual.

 

[Aerides]

So, TLDR; always take the first appointment available with a PA, NP, or doctor's assistant. They will likely be able to treat you as well as the senior doctor, and if not, they will call in a more senior doc right there on the spot.

Goodness yes this. I now regularly ask for PA's if the wait is more than a week. In a couple of cases I prefer them to the main docs.

 

[Chuckanut]

Goodness yes this. I now regularly ask for PA's if the wait is more than a week. In a couple of cases I prefer them to the main docs.

I used the services of several PAs and nurse practitioners. All have been of the highest quality, some seem better and more thorough than MDs I’ve seen.

 

[Northforker]

I think Jimmy Buffet's death from skin cancer really raised awareness and resulted in many people making their first appointment with a dermatologist.

 

[martyp]

I noticed a small flesh colored bump on the tip of my nose in Dec, 2023. Receptionist said earliest I could see my derma would be in May, 2024. I told her I wanted it to be looked at as soon as possible, and she said I could get in earlier if it doubled in size or started bleeding.

I live in Thailand. The healthcare system here is great! There are no primary care physicians. You just book an appointment with a specialist directly. 3 months ago I needed to see a dermatologist. I logged onto the website of my regular private hospital in Bangkok. I requested an appointment for the next day. I got a confirmation 45 minutes later by email. I saw her the next day, she diagnosed my problem, and all was good.

I had the same experience last year booking an appointment with an oral surgeon at the same hospital.

In both cases the cost without insurance was about $125.

 

[CardsFan]

I used the services of several PAs and nurse practitioners. All have been of the highest quality, some seem better and more thorough than MDs I’ve seen.

Agreed. My Derm Doc has 2 Nurse practitioners working with her. Due to my history I am on a 3 month visit cycle. I rotate through the 3 of them, seeing the Doc at least once per year. When in doubt the NP will always pull the Doc in for a quick look.

 

[I am He]

I think what ticks me off is that we brag about our great system and then have to wait forever for relatively common stuff. Long wait for potential cancer issue like the derm or colonoscopies. Makes me want to be a medical tourist. Not to mention, I get better pricing saying "not insured" and then paying in cash (holding my receipts for both HSA reimbursement as well as if I exceed the obscene MOOP) than I do with the hospital's own insurance plan. Opaque pricing at best.

 

[harley]

Not a dermatologist, but I just tried to make an eye doctor appointment, as my vision has significantly changed during the Covid years. I can't read street signs anymore when driving, and TV watching is getting really annoying. Not to mention I'm finally (at age 68) starting to have trouble with small print. I used to go every year, but with my recent health issues and numerous surgeries, I've let it slip.

Anyway, I haven't seen the eye doctor in a little more than 2 years, but I've been going there for over a decade. They told me they had an appointment available next Feb. That's Feb, 2025. That's beyond ridiculous. I called another one of their offices about 45 minutes away, and they said they could squeeze me in in Sept. Of this year, at least. I found another practice nearby that can see me in June, so I made an appointment. I hate to give up the doctor and technician I've enjoyed dealing with so much. But this is crazy!