Why does it have to be so hard to make any kind of specialist appointment for my baby?

[Anonymous]

Just venting I guess. My son (1) has a skin condition and the pediatrician told us to bring him to a dermatologist. None of the ones she suggested have a single opening until June. He may not even have this issue by then, it's insane! How is the healthcare system functioning like this?

[Anonymous]

If it's urgent, ask the ped to call. When I called myself I was offered appts that were months away. Pediatrician called the derm and we got an appt the next day

[Anonymous]

Insurance does not pay for talented reception staff. There should be a wait list and they call you, but it rarely works because reception is understaffed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's urgent, ask the ped to call. When I called myself I was offered appts that were months away. Pediatrician called the derm and we got an appt the next day

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just venting I guess. My son (1) has a skin condition and the pediatrician told us to bring him to a dermatologist. None of the ones she suggested have a single opening until June. He may not even have this issue by then, it's insane! How is the healthcare system functioning like this?

Yeah, we don't have enough doctors, nurses and care providers in general. Can't make people out of thin air. Actually dermatology is way better resourced than primary care however a lot of derms are more focused on cosmetic dermatology because it pays better.

[Anonymous]

Ask to be on the cancellation list for each provider that takes your insurance and call every month or so to see if something opens up. Also tell your pediatrician... maybe she can get you in early or prescribe what she thinks a derm would have.

[Anonymous]

If you ever have the option at work, I highly recommend Kaiser! They are great for stuff like this. Pediatrician wanted something looked at by derm for my son a few months ago, she took a picture of it and sent it to the derm on the floor above her, derm responded back saying she did want to see my son because of it. Kaiser called ME the next day and offered me an appointment that week. Nothing is perfect, but I really have found it amazing with kids because it avoids a lot of this. I realize this isn't helpful to you now, but in case you are a fed and have the option to switch to Kaiser next open season.

[Anonymous]

I had the same thing (infant with horrible rash). In January I was given a June appointment. I told the ped and he got me in the next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you ever have the option at work, I highly recommend Kaiser! They are great for stuff like this. Pediatrician wanted something looked at by derm for my son a few months ago, she took a picture of it and sent it to the derm on the floor above her, derm responded back saying she did want to see my son because of it. Kaiser called ME the next day and offered me an appointment that week. Nothing is perfect, but I really have found it amazing with kids because it avoids a lot of this. I realize this isn't helpful to you now, but in case you are a fed and have the option to switch to Kaiser next open season.

Yes but let’s say you don’t like that Kaiser derm and want go to somewhere else for a second opinion. You can’t. You stay within Kaiser. Not saying Kaiser is terrible but it’s good for some things and not for others.

[Anonymous]

See who your PCP has a relationship with and if your PCP thinks it’s urgent they will try to pull some strings. If your PcP says no, then it’s probably not urgent

[Anonymous]

As others have said, if it is an urgent need, your pediatrician should be making the first call and referral.

At Children's, I have a child with a serious illness who sees multiple specialists. When we go in for appointments and are told the next appointment timing (whether it be 2 weeks or 2 months), the MD has to unlock the appointment for us. We can't just cold call and ask to make an appointment on our own.

If your child has an urgent need, the doctor (or RN staff it his/her office) should facilitate the appointment, especially as a new patient. If it's less urgent (but still important), your doctor should be providing you with reassurance to this effect and also providing you with a reasonable plan in the interim to attempt to manage the situation.

Also, as others have suggested, take the soonest appointment (even if it is far out) and call back regularly to check for cancellations.

[Anonymous]

It’s not just babies. DS age 15 needed to see the pediatric cardio…3 month wait

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you ever have the option at work, I highly recommend Kaiser! They are great for stuff like this. Pediatrician wanted something looked at by derm for my son a few months ago, she took a picture of it and sent it to the derm on the floor above her, derm responded back saying she did want to see my son because of it. Kaiser called ME the next day and offered me an appointment that week. Nothing is perfect, but I really have found it amazing with kids because it avoids a lot of this. I realize this isn't helpful to you now, but in case you are a fed and have the option to switch to Kaiser next open season.

Yes but let’s say you don’t like that Kaiser derm and want go to somewhere else for a second opinion. You can’t. You stay within Kaiser. Not saying Kaiser is terrible but it’s good for some things and not for others.

Sure, you have to weigh all your options and it's not for everyone, that's why I mentioned it's not perfect. If you are the type of person that typically wants one specific physician than no, it's not a good fit.

But as the op has pointed out, often that physician doesn't even have appointment for months. So I personally think the perception that any physician is suddenly "available" to you is a fallacy. Kaiser has more than one dermatologist, many actually. If you don't like the one you see, you are WELCOME to switch. I've done it before. Yes you need to choose a kaiser derm, but I and my friends and family who have kaiser (i have a good number) have never had a problem finding specialists we like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's urgent, ask the ped to call. When I called myself I was offered appts that were months away. Pediatrician called the derm and we got an appt the next day

This

+1. We had to see pediatric derm and our ped got an appt for the next week (issue wasn’t super urgent, but couldnt wait months).

[Anonymous]

6 months for ENT. Feel your pain.