Doctor Resignation

[luckynumbah7]

Quick question; if your doctor resigns, does the clinic assign you a new one or do you have to contact them yourself? If the latter, how long is the general waiting period before they have information on what you're supposed to tell insurance? All we seem to have gotten is 'we care about you' notices from the clinic but my insurance needs to be updated.

 

[Benvolio]

I no nothing about your system, but I would suggest you be pro active; try to learn about the available doctors and tell the clinic which you want. The newest doctors lack experience, the older ones may be close to retirement; choose someone in between who is recommended by friends if possible. One who speaks English as his first language may be better than the alternative. Do you prefer a man or woman? A gay one if possible has an advantage if you feel able to be more open. Ask your old doctor whom he recommends.

 

[KaraBulut]

When a physician leaves a practice, you should receive a notice from the clinic letting you know whether they have assigned you to a new physician and how you can obtain your records (the records are property of the practice, not the physician).

 

[Rickrock]

My doctor retired last year and I am supposed to pick a new doctor and request that my records be sent to him. I haven't done that yet. If I pick one from the same practice I won't have to have the records sent because they will already be available to him. Different practices could have different rules on how to transition so you will need to find out what you need to do. I don't know how this affects your insurance. Different plans may have different requirements and procedures.

 

[luckynumbah7]

My doctor retired last year and I am supposed to pick a new doctor and request that my records be sent to him. I haven't done that yet. If I pick one from the same practice I won't have to have the records sent because they will already be available to him. Different practices could have different rules on how to transition so you will need to find out what you need to do. I don't know how this affects your insurance. Different plans may have different requirements and procedures.

Yeah, he was the listed doc in the clinic that my insurance took. They deal a lot with my insurance and I don't think they have a replacement yet. I imagine there's some sort of routine procedure involved in this situation but it was a hasty resignation and I doubt it's all in place yet. If I don't get an actual what-to-do notice in a week or so I'll call, but right now I doubt the receptionists know what the hell is going on, either.

 

[KaraBulut]

Yeah, he was the listed doc in the clinic that my insurance took. They deal a lot with my insurance and I don't think they have a replacement yet. I imagine there's some sort of routine procedure involved in this situation but it was a hasty resignation and I doubt it's all in place yet. If I don't get an actual what-to-do notice in a week or so I'll call, but right now I doubt the receptionists know what the hell is going on, either.

If you're on an HMO plan where you have to have an assigned PCP, some of the carriers have gotten smart and they allow you to change your PCP from their website. If your payer isn't one of those, they will assign you a PCP... assuming that your current PCP is non-participating in the plan after he changes employers.

 

[TickTockMan]

Did this work out Lucky?

 

[luckynumbah7]

Turned out I didn't have to do anything, they assigned someone new and sent me a card. Though admittedly the new doc isn't listed in the various other practice's under my insurance yet. I dunno whether it's a temp or permanent position foe 'em, you'd think they'd be a bit more thorough with the updates.

 

[TickTockMan]

Turned out I didn't have to do anything, they assigned someone new and sent me a card. Though admittedly the new doc isn't listed in the various other practice's under my insurance yet. I dunno whether it's a temp or permanent position foe 'em, you'd think they'd be a bit more thorough with the updates.

That is what happens to me as well. I have made them change me twice though. Both times they gave me an asshole for a doctor.

 

[mcbrion]

You should check to make sure the physician treating you is an "in-network" physician, meaning he is covered by your insurance. As a former claims examiner, I can tell you that there an be a practice with 5 doctors, and perhaps 3 of them have agreements with your insurance company, while the other two don't. If you go to a doctor not signed up with your insurance, you could be responsible for the bills.
While I don't imagine they'd have given you a doctor who is out of network (if they're on the ball), it is on you to make sure he is a member doctor like your last one.

 

[EJMichaels]

...As a former claims examiner, I can tell you that there can be a practice with 5 doctors, and perhaps 3 of them have agreements with your insurance company, while the other two don't...

I see that sometimes, and always check if something has changed. My current primary care doctor is part of a university system that includes a hospital, urgent care centers, and a lab that is located in the building with the doctors. Only the doctors in the regular office are covered completely. The hospital is a second choice (covered, but not as much as the preferred hospital), and the urgent care and lab are not in the network. The lab used to be in my network and it was quite a shock to get the bill when that quietly changed.