The first time I made an appointment at MedPeds at Laurel, Maryland, they ran late. But I philosophically accepted it, emergencies happen, etc. And I had an evening appointment, so they had had all day for things to get delayed. I didn't have anything going on that evening, so I let it slide.
I specifically picked this practice BECAUSE they had evening appointments so I wouldn't have to stress about missing work, missing the last bus to the city, etc.
Later appointments: never was able to get another evening appointment. I'd call for something not-emergency related, and they'd offer me 1 pm appointments to which I'd say, "Well, I work during the day, do you have something else?" and they'd come back with a 2:30 appointment, because, of course, this is America where we usually work 9-2:30.
I'll accept an inconvenient appointment in mid-day (although it blows my whole day) but weeks in advance? Sometimes that isn't even enough, as one time my son had a high fever and other flu symptoms and they refused to see him because I didn't provide them enough notice, and told us we should go to a clinic. (Don't people go to private practices so they can AVOID going to a clinic?)
This wouldn't be so bad, except their scheduling is a joke. That 1 PM appointment? I ended up being seen around 2:30. Had I known the 1 PM appointments were really 2:30 appointments, I could stay at work 90 minutes more and make more than enough to cover the co-pay and prescriptions. This has been a chronic problem--I think every appointment we've ever had has started at least 30 minutes after the appointment time. I've given them second chances, third chances, two years worth of chances--I think they're trying to tell me something.
I'm tired of this, so I asked if I could get the first appointment of the day. How can you get behind on the first appointment of the day? Here's how: you schedule TWO people in the same appointment slot, and then schedule the next appointment 15 minutes later. I sat and waited for 30 minutes, and then gave up, but not quietly. They told me the doctors like double-booking appointments.
Well, the doctors may like it, but I will tell you I don't, and I don't think the guy with the next appointment, which hadn't started by the time I stomped out, liked it either. So I'll be disputing the co-pay (why should I have to pay for their idiot scheduling?), and looking for a new doctor, and telling my insurer why I'm switching but I don't think I'll ever find as good a doctor as the one I left back in my old town, 90 minutes away. (Same day appointments, true evening hours, X-ray machine in his office so if you hurt your ankle on a Sunday, he can come in, x-ray it, and save a trip to the ER. Oh, and he made a house call one time. In this century.) Although if they expect me to wait 90 minutes to see a doctor, maybe it would pay to go back there!
And if you know a good GP in the Silver Spring/Burtonsville/Laurel/Beltsville (Maryland) area who doesn't pull this crap, and who takes United Health Care, pass along his or her name, please?
I specifically picked this practice BECAUSE they had evening appointments so I wouldn't have to stress about missing work, missing the last bus to the city, etc.
Later appointments: never was able to get another evening appointment. I'd call for something not-emergency related, and they'd offer me 1 pm appointments to which I'd say, "Well, I work during the day, do you have something else?" and they'd come back with a 2:30 appointment, because, of course, this is America where we usually work 9-2:30.
I'll accept an inconvenient appointment in mid-day (although it blows my whole day) but weeks in advance? Sometimes that isn't even enough, as one time my son had a high fever and other flu symptoms and they refused to see him because I didn't provide them enough notice, and told us we should go to a clinic. (Don't people go to private practices so they can AVOID going to a clinic?)
This wouldn't be so bad, except their scheduling is a joke. That 1 PM appointment? I ended up being seen around 2:30. Had I known the 1 PM appointments were really 2:30 appointments, I could stay at work 90 minutes more and make more than enough to cover the co-pay and prescriptions. This has been a chronic problem--I think every appointment we've ever had has started at least 30 minutes after the appointment time. I've given them second chances, third chances, two years worth of chances--I think they're trying to tell me something.
I'm tired of this, so I asked if I could get the first appointment of the day. How can you get behind on the first appointment of the day? Here's how: you schedule TWO people in the same appointment slot, and then schedule the next appointment 15 minutes later. I sat and waited for 30 minutes, and then gave up, but not quietly. They told me the doctors like double-booking appointments.
Well, the doctors may like it, but I will tell you I don't, and I don't think the guy with the next appointment, which hadn't started by the time I stomped out, liked it either. So I'll be disputing the co-pay (why should I have to pay for their idiot scheduling?), and looking for a new doctor, and telling my insurer why I'm switching but I don't think I'll ever find as good a doctor as the one I left back in my old town, 90 minutes away. (Same day appointments, true evening hours, X-ray machine in his office so if you hurt your ankle on a Sunday, he can come in, x-ray it, and save a trip to the ER. Oh, and he made a house call one time. In this century.) Although if they expect me to wait 90 minutes to see a doctor, maybe it would pay to go back there!
And if you know a good GP in the Silver Spring/Burtonsville/Laurel/Beltsville (Maryland) area who doesn't pull this crap, and who takes United Health Care, pass along his or her name, please?
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