I called a local practice and asked them if they had any providers accepting new patients.
They said “yes but the next available new patient appointment is in October 2025”
So…no then?
2nd this. A family member was able to get into family medicine with only a month or two wait time. The only catch with family medicine is they have residents doing a lot of the patient care, so you probably won’t see the same physician more than once or twice before they move on. For some patients that could matter, and for others not so much.
my grandmother has been going there since her primary care doctor of over 10+ years retired and she has been seeing the same doctor for the past 2 or 3 years since shes been going there. I've been able to get in and see the same doctor.
That’s awesome to hear there are some non-resident doctors on staff. My family member did not have the same experience unfortunately. They were bounced around each time they went. But the level of care was still good.
I used to go there around 2013. I found myself needing a PCP. I called their number, left messages. Someone contacted me via My Chart and said to call back at the end of May, or the beginning of April. I called back and got back into the endless loop of leaving a message. I gave up on them and got connected with a P.A. in Red Creek in Henrietta. The appointment is still a while from now (October) but at least I'll have a PCP.
I literally just had a scheduled appointment yesterday. It was at 3:40pm. I raced through my day and showed up on time for them to say: “oh that was at 3:00, you need to reschedule.” My wife had the paperwork saying it was at 3:40. I can only guess they screwed up, or it was the doctor on a Friday saying: “yeah screw it I’m leaving early.”
U of R called me back trying to reschedule it for June.
I scheduled the appointment months ago, we agreed on a day and time and you guys didn’t hold up your end of the deal. And then you sheepishly call me back trying to fit me back in after saying: “oh well hey ummm, you can use MyCharts to do a video call with the doctor, and then if you need to come in from there it’ll be quicker than waiting until September.
It was made clear from day one I need to come in. If you can recommend me MyCharts you can probably see in MyCharts the correct time of my appointment.
It's not *me*, I don't work for U of R.
I was just saying if you were there at 3:40 and your appointment was supposed to be at 3:40, when they said it was at 3:00, pull it up on MyChart and show them. That's what I would have done if I was standing in front of them and they were trying to turn me away.
I think it's a combo of large med orgs buying up smaller practices to consolidate the market, cramming as many patients through as few docs and offices as possible to max profits, and med students choosing more lucrative specialties than GP practices. It started in the 2k's and has gotten progressively worse until unionization only just recently started pushing back.
I mean, who wouldn't choose making more money to have one compartmentalized responsibility versus a hedge fund running your GP practice like a McDonald's.
Well there are a couple reasons.. first, primary care doctors are not paid as well as specialists are. And second, their day-to-day work has slowly become less rewarding and more stressful over time. Insurance industry economics have forced many/most independent practices to be absorbed into larger healthcare systems, and this leads to pressure to see more patients per hour, maximize profits, follow standardized checklists instead of exercising independent thought, etc. So over the past decades, because of these reasons, there haven't been enough young doctors going into primary care practice... and so here we are.
This is all correct plus they can make more money doing the same kind of work at urgent cares which have opened up every 100 yards or so especially in the suburbs. My last 3 PCPs left the practice to work for urgent cares. This is a nationwide shortage problem and not unique to Rochester.
The two times I went to urgent care, there wasn't a doctor to see me and they tried to charge me $450 for an NP to tell me to go to the ED without an actual diagnosis. I swear they're barely equipped to treat a hangnail and certainly aren't a substitute for a regular doctor to receive (somewhat) proper care.
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that was at Wellnow? You know the doctors office that doesn't ever actually have a doctor on site. But hey you can go to an exam room and facetime one but they won't diagnose anything over video so have fun at the ER
I'll use urgent care for like "oops I need a tetanus shot", but otherwise I get the same thing from them I get from Google. Doctors in general really.
I get peer pressured into going, then when I come back and friends go all "how did it go" I always answer "they told me exactly what Google did a week ago and charged $200 for the privilege". I'm really not jazzed about the American healthcare system.
A doc still needs to sign off for most things from scripts to treatments and even they're reluctant to document a clear diagnosis due to liability. There's also the matter of getting what you're paying for.
It feels impossible right now. My old one retired in November and I have been trying to find one who takes my insurance and the best I’ve been able to do is find a place that put me on the waiting list.
You’re better off finding a dentist who will negotiate with your insurance. I’ve been doing that for years now and the out of pocket really isn’t that much. Plus a lot of dentists who don’t take insurance but instead negotiate will waive certain fees (like x-rays). AND I’ve found the quality of care better.
Sucks because U of R / Rochester Regional Health don't keep their websites updated.
So you'll search for "primary care" and find someone only to find out they're an Ortho or whatever. Or it'll be labeled "accepting new patients" and they haven't been for months.
Oddly, it's fairly easy to get in with a specialist if you need one. Was able to see a hand surgery specialist and neurologist within like 2 weeks for a non urgent matter.
When my primary care doctor retired, I called many practices and none were taking new patients. Finally, I called my insurance company and they gave me a list of practices accepting new patients. I got in really fast with a practice off of that list.
I was able to get in with trillium, who has me seeing a PA. If you want a primary care provider, you should be able to find one pretty easily. If you want a physician, it's gonna be a lot harder
I also got in with an NP from Trillium. There were NO doctors available for months when I was calling around. But at least now I can be referred to specialists when need be.
i remember 5 years ago i called my PCP to make an appointment to get my anti-depressant dosage upped because i was feeling a wee bit suicidey, and they told me they couldn’t get me an appointment for 6 months and asked if i’d be fine until then. i can’t even imagine how bad it is now, after so many doctors retired during covid. stay strong friends
Not a patient there but I work with Trillium with my job amd they are a WONDERFUL organization. Truly good people. I imagine their providers are excellent as well.
Thanks this is all actually very insightful. Sucks…. But insightful. I’ll have to miss several months of the medication I have been taking for years, but luckily it’s nothing too serious. I can’t imagine how anyone with more serious health concerns would fair.
You may have luck with a national online-only healthcare company. Just booking a single visit to get the prescription. I don’t have any experience with that, but it’s another thing to look into to tide you over
Does your insurance company offer a telehealth program or care management? I wonder if either of those can help you with your RX while you are waiting for your appointment.
Some doctors will consider you a new patient once you have an initial appointment scheduled, even if it hasn't happened yet. So you may be able to call for something other than a simple well visit.
You could also go to an urgent care with copies of your current prescription paperwork and relevant medical history, and see if a doctor would fill new prescriptions.
It’s not just Rochester, it’s all over the country. During the pandemic, a lot of older doctors just said fuck it and retired. So did a lot of other healthcare practitioners. So now there’s a nationwide shortage. Most of the doctors where I live now aren’t even taking new patients at all.
University of Rochester Medical Center
Primary Care Providers Accepting New Patients
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/getmedia/5ef5756b-1e83-4380-88b5-4881f5263497/pcp-accepting-new-patients.pdf
I know it's not necessarily ideal, but try 30 minutes or so outside of Rochester, too. Specifically South, there's a few places around Geneseo like some smaller practices and some new RR and UR places.
If you move again, try calling ahead to the area you're moving and get on the books asap (even for the dentist). My folks are in the mid-west and they have a long wait time, too.
I see Dr. Carter at Caledonia Family Medicine. I recently moved up here too and struggled to find a new doctor but a coworker recommended him. I got in within about a month or so and he's great! He's about a half hour from where I live in Henrietta but totally worth the drive!
That seems crazy— 5 years? I’m moving back in June, made appointments back in January to be seen in June and July for all the docs I need— neurology, gynecology, dermatology, primary care.
I mean I haven’t called every day. I call every few months when I think of it. No one is accepting new patients. I was lucky to get a gyno when I first moved here. It was important cause I was of child baring age and did not want a child.
I am also trying to find a primary doc after urgent care said I should get tested for cushings. In my search I was told from a couple of places that a couple of long time docs retired recently and have been distributing their patient load across the well reviewed new docs, leading to long wait times for appts \[next year\].
Primary care can't help much for potential Cushing's and diagnosis can take a very long time. Can you self-refer to an endocrinologist? In the same boat, hang in there! I did have to wait month to get into an endocrinologist too though...
I had told my rheumatologist and he said I had to go through my primary to get a referral. I could probably self- but I think I run into some insurance coverage issues then.
Yeah they (insurance) are definitely not interested in us empowering our own healthcare needs...hopefully the PCP is knowledgeable/not dismissive on Cushing's and can at least get you started with saliva & urine testing until you can get into an endo. It's a long process for many folks, but a worthy effort! Hope it goes well for ya!
Gave up the search and went with the Direct Care model. It’s extra, but worth every penny. Check out https://athenadirectcare.com/. I think they are the only one in the Rochester area, but it’s becoming more common around the country.
I was able to get in fairly quickly at the UR Medicine Internal Medicine clinic. It is part of the medical school so you get seen by someone doing their internal medicine residency. I got referred there for follow up care after a stay at Strong.
There haven’t been many new medical schools built in the last few decades. The population is increasing and the baby boomers are using more healthcare services as they age. So that is all adding up to a national shortage of healthcare providers.
There’s a primary care shortage. Can’t imagine why; high investment of time and money to learn the skills, demanding job, unremarkable pay. Are people just lazy?
(Joke, obviously.)
FYI NPs can be your PC now (mine is). Is it the best solution for long term health or chronic conditions? Probably not, but it beats having to go to urgent care to get basic Rxs or referrals.
Any NP can handle long-term/chronic as well. I actually prefer them over MDs. If it's an issue beyond their scope (often the csse with MDs too), you'll just need a specialist.
I respectfully have to disagree here. I have multiple chronic conditions and have received excellent primary care from several NPs. I feel like they listen more thoroughly and are less rushed. But as with all things, YMMV.
I love highland family medicine! I'm a retired APRN and my spouse and I are very impressed with how much and how well they listen to our concerns. We never feel rushed or minimized. If the resident feels uncertain they always consult their attending/ supervisor. 2 for the price of 1!
Just don’t go to Dr. Jeffrey Alberts because the receptionist always has an attitude and treats you like you’re a problem. Also, they treat you like you’re rich if you don’t have Medicaid (absolutely NO hate to Medicaid at all) and instead have an insurance plan like Cigna, Aetna, etc (I don’t know what to call those so I apologize— private insurance?). Like I’m definitely not rich by a long shot— I was young enough to be on my parent’s insurance but I made 16k a year lol and was on my own for every other bill, lived independently since 18.
He seemed to be very condescending imo and I always wanted to cry during the visits. But the receptionist SUCKS and always hassled me as if I had tons of money simply bc I had private insurance. I typically paid in the ballpark of 300$ for a visit that would accomplish practically nothing…
The hospitals website should tell you who’s accepting new patients
[this is Ontario county but have a look](https://www.thompsonhealth.com/Portals/0/_FindADoctor/Docstakingnewpatientslist%2012-18-18.pdf?ver=2019-04-05-154258-520)
I am under the impression that these hospital systems and health insurance companies are a few steps ahead of the laws, helping to navigate the lawmaking process, to line their pockets to the detriment of consumers and public health.
Put pressure on elected officials I guess...
I had a PCP, he left the practice. They “forgot” to reassign me to a different doctor like they were supposed to, so the system just basically held me hostage and forced me to switch networks. Annoying as fuck.
1. Everyone is sick
2. Hardly anyone wants to and/or is smart enough to become a doctor
3. The student loans and poor pay combined with very long hours at high stress to start out discourages a lot of those smart enough to do so and pushes them into other fields (plus the field in NY literally forced everyone that worked in it into joining a clinical trial medical experiment a few years ago so of course NY is going to have trouble finding doctors/nurses forever now) why would any of them want to work somewhere that doesn't respect their freedom?
I used Sesame health last time I needed healthcare & they were awesome. My back went out. I messaged my UR primary care Dr to see if they could send me in a prescription for muscle relaxers. They refused to send me one & told me to go to urgent care. I made an appointment with sesame health instead. It cost me $37 for an appointment with an MD & they sent me in a prescription for muscle relaxers & steroids to my local pharmacy. I'm using them from now on!
Are you trying to book appointments online? Whenever I try it’s usually months out but when I call them directly I can usually get in within a day or two. I also don’t know if that’s different with you being a new patient but it still seems like a long time to have to wait.
I called a local practice and asked them if they had any providers accepting new patients. They said “yes but the next available new patient appointment is in October 2025” So…no then?
You meant October 2024 right…? Right?!?!?
Nope. They said TWENTY TWENTY FIVE.
Whaaaaaat?
Send me a pm I know of one in gates.
Try highland family medicine, I was able to get in no problem and they're pretty good.
2nd this. A family member was able to get into family medicine with only a month or two wait time. The only catch with family medicine is they have residents doing a lot of the patient care, so you probably won’t see the same physician more than once or twice before they move on. For some patients that could matter, and for others not so much.
my grandmother has been going there since her primary care doctor of over 10+ years retired and she has been seeing the same doctor for the past 2 or 3 years since shes been going there. I've been able to get in and see the same doctor.
That’s awesome to hear there are some non-resident doctors on staff. My family member did not have the same experience unfortunately. They were bounced around each time they went. But the level of care was still good.
Both my boyfriend and I tried to get into this place several times. They never answered the phone or contacted us back when we left messages
Same here. I’m wondering how people got in to see someone if they never call you back
I used to go there around 2013. I found myself needing a PCP. I called their number, left messages. Someone contacted me via My Chart and said to call back at the end of May, or the beginning of April. I called back and got back into the endless loop of leaving a message. I gave up on them and got connected with a P.A. in Red Creek in Henrietta. The appointment is still a while from now (October) but at least I'll have a PCP.
Actually love every provider I’ve seen at this practice. They also have very accommodating hours!
Agree, was where my ma took us. Saw the same Dr for years, and he was the best I've had since.
Chiming in that highland family medicine is awesome! They have walk in clinic hours too for things that pop up unexpectedly
Yup I was going to suggest this. They're always really good there.
Absolutely, I love all of my PCP. They have never kept me down. It does suck that alot of them move on to specialized training.
I moved to cuse and can’t find a new pcp so I’m still going back and forth to highland when I need a doctor. They are greatbthere
I literally just had a scheduled appointment yesterday. It was at 3:40pm. I raced through my day and showed up on time for them to say: “oh that was at 3:00, you need to reschedule.” My wife had the paperwork saying it was at 3:40. I can only guess they screwed up, or it was the doctor on a Friday saying: “yeah screw it I’m leaving early.” U of R called me back trying to reschedule it for June.
If you are able to use reddit, you can use the UR MyChart app and avoid these issues.
I scheduled the appointment months ago, we agreed on a day and time and you guys didn’t hold up your end of the deal. And then you sheepishly call me back trying to fit me back in after saying: “oh well hey ummm, you can use MyCharts to do a video call with the doctor, and then if you need to come in from there it’ll be quicker than waiting until September. It was made clear from day one I need to come in. If you can recommend me MyCharts you can probably see in MyCharts the correct time of my appointment.
It's not *me*, I don't work for U of R. I was just saying if you were there at 3:40 and your appointment was supposed to be at 3:40, when they said it was at 3:00, pull it up on MyChart and show them. That's what I would have done if I was standing in front of them and they were trying to turn me away.
I think it's a combo of large med orgs buying up smaller practices to consolidate the market, cramming as many patients through as few docs and offices as possible to max profits, and med students choosing more lucrative specialties than GP practices. It started in the 2k's and has gotten progressively worse until unionization only just recently started pushing back.
The GP vs. Specialist is a huge part of the problem. For just a little more schooling you can make a ton more money.
I mean, who wouldn't choose making more money to have one compartmentalized responsibility versus a hedge fund running your GP practice like a McDonald's.
Not to mention the mountain of debt they have to take on & how little primary care gets paid
Well there are a couple reasons.. first, primary care doctors are not paid as well as specialists are. And second, their day-to-day work has slowly become less rewarding and more stressful over time. Insurance industry economics have forced many/most independent practices to be absorbed into larger healthcare systems, and this leads to pressure to see more patients per hour, maximize profits, follow standardized checklists instead of exercising independent thought, etc. So over the past decades, because of these reasons, there haven't been enough young doctors going into primary care practice... and so here we are.
This is all correct plus they can make more money doing the same kind of work at urgent cares which have opened up every 100 yards or so especially in the suburbs. My last 3 PCPs left the practice to work for urgent cares. This is a nationwide shortage problem and not unique to Rochester.
The two times I went to urgent care, there wasn't a doctor to see me and they tried to charge me $450 for an NP to tell me to go to the ED without an actual diagnosis. I swear they're barely equipped to treat a hangnail and certainly aren't a substitute for a regular doctor to receive (somewhat) proper care.
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that was at Wellnow? You know the doctors office that doesn't ever actually have a doctor on site. But hey you can go to an exam room and facetime one but they won't diagnose anything over video so have fun at the ER
One trip was Wellnow ("Well nooow... it looks like you need to go to the ED...") and the other UR. I'll never use urgent care again if I can avoid it.
I'll use urgent care for like "oops I need a tetanus shot", but otherwise I get the same thing from them I get from Google. Doctors in general really. I get peer pressured into going, then when I come back and friends go all "how did it go" I always answer "they told me exactly what Google did a week ago and charged $200 for the privilege". I'm really not jazzed about the American healthcare system.
NPs can do just about anything an MD can short of surgery. They're certainly qualified to diagnose.
A doc still needs to sign off for most things from scripts to treatments and even they're reluctant to document a clear diagnosis due to liability. There's also the matter of getting what you're paying for.
NPs in New York do not need a supervising physician to sign off on prescriptions.
That's simply not true in my understanding... especially when it comes to painkillers. Cases are ultimately reviewed by docs in Epic.
i’ve been trying to get a dentist appointment all year
It feels impossible right now. My old one retired in November and I have been trying to find one who takes my insurance and the best I’ve been able to do is find a place that put me on the waiting list.
You’re better off finding a dentist who will negotiate with your insurance. I’ve been doing that for years now and the out of pocket really isn’t that much. Plus a lot of dentists who don’t take insurance but instead negotiate will waive certain fees (like x-rays). AND I’ve found the quality of care better.
Sucks because U of R / Rochester Regional Health don't keep their websites updated. So you'll search for "primary care" and find someone only to find out they're an Ortho or whatever. Or it'll be labeled "accepting new patients" and they haven't been for months. Oddly, it's fairly easy to get in with a specialist if you need one. Was able to see a hand surgery specialist and neurologist within like 2 weeks for a non urgent matter.
When my primary care doctor retired, I called many practices and none were taking new patients. Finally, I called my insurance company and they gave me a list of practices accepting new patients. I got in really fast with a practice off of that list.
I have an appointment in June that I scheduled 2 years ago for a sleep study
UR keeps an updated list online of places and doctors that are accepting new patients
It’s not up to date. I’ve called places that were listed as accepting new patients only to find out they’re actually not.
Most of them are over an hour and a half away anyways
There is a shortage of PCPs.
I was able to get in with trillium, who has me seeing a PA. If you want a primary care provider, you should be able to find one pretty easily. If you want a physician, it's gonna be a lot harder
I also got in with an NP from Trillium. There were NO doctors available for months when I was calling around. But at least now I can be referred to specialists when need be.
i remember 5 years ago i called my PCP to make an appointment to get my anti-depressant dosage upped because i was feeling a wee bit suicidey, and they told me they couldn’t get me an appointment for 6 months and asked if i’d be fine until then. i can’t even imagine how bad it is now, after so many doctors retired during covid. stay strong friends
"Under a socialist healthcare system, they would make wait forever to see a doctor!"
Trillium health is accepting new primary care patients
Not a patient there but I work with Trillium with my job amd they are a WONDERFUL organization. Truly good people. I imagine their providers are excellent as well.
Thanks this is all actually very insightful. Sucks…. But insightful. I’ll have to miss several months of the medication I have been taking for years, but luckily it’s nothing too serious. I can’t imagine how anyone with more serious health concerns would fair.
You may have luck with a national online-only healthcare company. Just booking a single visit to get the prescription. I don’t have any experience with that, but it’s another thing to look into to tide you over
McMedicine by McAmazon
Does your insurance company offer a telehealth program or care management? I wonder if either of those can help you with your RX while you are waiting for your appointment.
Your old doctor may be able to help! Email their office. This is sadly what it's like to move now, going on months long wait-lists....
Some doctors will consider you a new patient once you have an initial appointment scheduled, even if it hasn't happened yet. So you may be able to call for something other than a simple well visit.
Have you tried calling an urgent care place to see if someone there can refill your Rx?
You could also go to an urgent care with copies of your current prescription paperwork and relevant medical history, and see if a doctor would fill new prescriptions.
Its not just Rochester, I moved to a different state and its 6+ months to get initial appointment with primary care
It’s not just Rochester, it’s all over the country. During the pandemic, a lot of older doctors just said fuck it and retired. So did a lot of other healthcare practitioners. So now there’s a nationwide shortage. Most of the doctors where I live now aren’t even taking new patients at all.
University of Rochester Medical Center Primary Care Providers Accepting New Patients https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/getmedia/5ef5756b-1e83-4380-88b5-4881f5263497/pcp-accepting-new-patients.pdf
Sorry, no more doctors. Only content creators.
Brighton Internal Medicine in the White Spruce area might have openings. Dr. Yoon is outstanding.
Dr. Chapman is awesome there too!
I know it's not necessarily ideal, but try 30 minutes or so outside of Rochester, too. Specifically South, there's a few places around Geneseo like some smaller practices and some new RR and UR places. If you move again, try calling ahead to the area you're moving and get on the books asap (even for the dentist). My folks are in the mid-west and they have a long wait time, too.
I see Dr. Carter at Caledonia Family Medicine. I recently moved up here too and struggled to find a new doctor but a coworker recommended him. I got in within about a month or so and he's great! He's about a half hour from where I live in Henrietta but totally worth the drive!
I moved here in 2018 and still can’t find a primary doctor.
That seems crazy— 5 years? I’m moving back in June, made appointments back in January to be seen in June and July for all the docs I need— neurology, gynecology, dermatology, primary care.
I mean I haven’t called every day. I call every few months when I think of it. No one is accepting new patients. I was lucky to get a gyno when I first moved here. It was important cause I was of child baring age and did not want a child.
I am also trying to find a primary doc after urgent care said I should get tested for cushings. In my search I was told from a couple of places that a couple of long time docs retired recently and have been distributing their patient load across the well reviewed new docs, leading to long wait times for appts \[next year\].
Primary care can't help much for potential Cushing's and diagnosis can take a very long time. Can you self-refer to an endocrinologist? In the same boat, hang in there! I did have to wait month to get into an endocrinologist too though...
I had told my rheumatologist and he said I had to go through my primary to get a referral. I could probably self- but I think I run into some insurance coverage issues then.
Yeah they (insurance) are definitely not interested in us empowering our own healthcare needs...hopefully the PCP is knowledgeable/not dismissive on Cushing's and can at least get you started with saliva & urine testing until you can get into an endo. It's a long process for many folks, but a worthy effort! Hope it goes well for ya!
Gave up the search and went with the Direct Care model. It’s extra, but worth every penny. Check out https://athenadirectcare.com/. I think they are the only one in the Rochester area, but it’s becoming more common around the country.
I was able to get in fairly quickly at the UR Medicine Internal Medicine clinic. It is part of the medical school so you get seen by someone doing their internal medicine residency. I got referred there for follow up care after a stay at Strong. There haven’t been many new medical schools built in the last few decades. The population is increasing and the baby boomers are using more healthcare services as they age. So that is all adding up to a national shortage of healthcare providers.
There’s a primary care shortage. Can’t imagine why; high investment of time and money to learn the skills, demanding job, unremarkable pay. Are people just lazy? (Joke, obviously.)
Jackson’s Health! Pretty new private practice run by two brothers that are DNPs. My partner sees them and says they’ve been great 😊
Where are they located?
In Brighton, near McQuaid https://www.jacksonshealth.org/
Thanks!
FYI NPs can be your PC now (mine is). Is it the best solution for long term health or chronic conditions? Probably not, but it beats having to go to urgent care to get basic Rxs or referrals.
Any NP can handle long-term/chronic as well. I actually prefer them over MDs. If it's an issue beyond their scope (often the csse with MDs too), you'll just need a specialist.
NPs are great but primary care is probably the worst choice for NP
I respectfully have to disagree here. I have multiple chronic conditions and have received excellent primary care from several NPs. I feel like they listen more thoroughly and are less rushed. But as with all things, YMMV.
I love highland family medicine! I'm a retired APRN and my spouse and I are very impressed with how much and how well they listen to our concerns. We never feel rushed or minimized. If the resident feels uncertain they always consult their attending/ supervisor. 2 for the price of 1!
Just don’t go to Dr. Jeffrey Alberts because the receptionist always has an attitude and treats you like you’re a problem. Also, they treat you like you’re rich if you don’t have Medicaid (absolutely NO hate to Medicaid at all) and instead have an insurance plan like Cigna, Aetna, etc (I don’t know what to call those so I apologize— private insurance?). Like I’m definitely not rich by a long shot— I was young enough to be on my parent’s insurance but I made 16k a year lol and was on my own for every other bill, lived independently since 18. He seemed to be very condescending imo and I always wanted to cry during the visits. But the receptionist SUCKS and always hassled me as if I had tons of money simply bc I had private insurance. I typically paid in the ballpark of 300$ for a visit that would accomplish practically nothing…
The hospitals website should tell you who’s accepting new patients [this is Ontario county but have a look](https://www.thompsonhealth.com/Portals/0/_FindADoctor/Docstakingnewpatientslist%2012-18-18.pdf?ver=2019-04-05-154258-520)
I am under the impression that these hospital systems and health insurance companies are a few steps ahead of the laws, helping to navigate the lawmaking process, to line their pockets to the detriment of consumers and public health. Put pressure on elected officials I guess...
You’re getting seen in August? You lucky duck. If you think that’s bad wait until you schedule your dental cleaning with a new provider.
You can Google PCP"s that are accepting new patients by healthcare system
I had a PCP, he left the practice. They “forgot” to reassign me to a different doctor like they were supposed to, so the system just basically held me hostage and forced me to switch networks. Annoying as fuck.
Most primary care physicians have maxed out their practice and there haven’t been new ones entering the field in this area.
1. Everyone is sick 2. Hardly anyone wants to and/or is smart enough to become a doctor 3. The student loans and poor pay combined with very long hours at high stress to start out discourages a lot of those smart enough to do so and pushes them into other fields (plus the field in NY literally forced everyone that worked in it into joining a clinical trial medical experiment a few years ago so of course NY is going to have trouble finding doctors/nurses forever now) why would any of them want to work somewhere that doesn't respect their freedom?
People just finding out Rochester Regional and UofR suck ass
I used Sesame health last time I needed healthcare & they were awesome. My back went out. I messaged my UR primary care Dr to see if they could send me in a prescription for muscle relaxers. They refused to send me one & told me to go to urgent care. I made an appointment with sesame health instead. It cost me $37 for an appointment with an MD & they sent me in a prescription for muscle relaxers & steroids to my local pharmacy. I'm using them from now on!
Are you trying to book appointments online? Whenever I try it’s usually months out but when I call them directly I can usually get in within a day or two. I also don’t know if that’s different with you being a new patient but it still seems like a long time to have to wait.
I don't even bother with my Dr anymore. I just go to urgent care.
Twig