Are you "allowed" multiple issue at your doctors appointments?

[Anonymous]

It's been a long time since I went into an office at my last gyno appt we could only discuss one thing like BCP or cramps not both. Insane. They said it was because of billing issues and for each thing I have to come back. Anyway like if you go to a foot doctor for pain, a wart, or a ingrown toe nail do you need 3 appointments? Dermo? A cyst and acne are those two appointments? Primary care IBS and sleep issues two appointments? How are things being handled these days. I need to catch up on things but if I'm going to nee that many appointments I think I'm good. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

If they're related I only need one visit.

What they're trying to stop is someone coming in for the free yearly checkup and then bringing up major issues that needed more time to discuss.

[Anonymous]

It’s combining an annual wellness visit with a “problem” that is usually the issue.

[Anonymous]

I suggest you call and ask.

My PCP was fine to give me referrals for multiple issues.

[Anonymous]

As far as I know if I had a physical, I could bring up anything general that I was worried about but if I’m more specifically had a problem, I think they would want a sick visit for it. I get annual mole checks and the dermatologist has briefly suggested some things about other skin products, but has said you need to make another appointment to have a full rosacea review, etc. - not in the mole check (which I did). I don’t really have too many health issues and don’t try to combine it too often so I guess it doesn’t really bother me. I accept that this is their rule now.

[Anonymous]

Some of it is a coding issue, but there are certainly codes that allow for multiple problems. To be honest the bigger issue is that each problem requires its own detailed work up and documentation and the typical 10 minute visit just can’t accommodate that very well. Please don’t think medical providers want to blow people off, But when you’ve got 20+ people coming in each day, it simply is impossible to spend the 30+ minutes that you’d like to addressing every problem in a thorough way, so you have to set limits where you can

[Anonymous]

This is crazy! I have never heard of this. Does the dr actually stop you from addressing more than 1 issue? How embarrassing (for them!) Is the excuse is insurance coding? They can put more than one diagnostic code on the claim.
Pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Just make it clear what you need when you make the appt and they can give you a double slot if needed.

[Anonymous]

My Derm allots time per patient and doesn’t limit issues. Never had a billing issue.

PCP is fine writing referrals and providing prescriptions as needed during annual physical. If I’m there for a sick visit, I stick to the point.

Gyno - same as PCP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s combining an annual wellness visit with a “problem” that is usually the issue.

But it's exactly during wellness visits where they should find or discuss any problems, FFS.
And they are not "free" visits. We all pay dearly in premiums and insurance companies (though sometimes it doesn't feel like it) actually want to find problems before they balloon into big expensive problems. This is exactly what wellness visits are for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s combining an annual wellness visit with a “problem” that is usually the issue.

But it's exactly during wellness visits where they should find or discuss any problems, FFS.
And they are not "free" visits. We all pay dearly in premiums and insurance companies (though sometimes it doesn't feel like it) actually want to find problems before they balloon into big expensive problems. This is exactly what wellness visits are for.

It’s not what wellness visits are for as far as the insurance company is concerned. People really need to understand this. Wellness visits are about preventative care and the components are pretty clearly outlined. That is entirely different than problem visits. It is possible to Join a problem visit to a well person visit ( e.g. You go for your well person/Pap , and mention you think you have a yeast infection and they do that additional exam and offer treatment- hats a preventive care visit plus a 99214 level prob visit.) Please understand medical providers. HATE this coding stuff as much as patients do. But we get it drilled into us that if we don’t code appropriately, it’s insurance fraud that includes in billed “problems“ in the well person visit.

[Anonymous]

I was just at the dermatologist this morning and had four different issues to talk about. He wanted to fist bump three different times, but addressed all my issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s combining an annual wellness visit with a “problem” that is usually the issue.

But it's exactly during wellness visits where they should find or discuss any problems, FFS.
And they are not "free" visits. We all pay dearly in premiums and insurance companies (though sometimes it doesn't feel like it) actually want to find problems before they balloon into big expensive problems. This is exactly what wellness visits are for.

It’s not what wellness visits are for as far as the insurance company is concerned. People really need to understand this. Wellness visits are about preventative care and the components are pretty clearly outlined. That is entirely different than problem visits. It is possible to Join a problem visit to a well person visit ( e.g. You go for your well person/Pap , and mention you think you have a yeast infection and they do that additional exam and offer treatment- hats a preventive care visit plus a 99214 level prob visit.) Please understand medical providers. HATE this coding stuff as much as patients do. But we get it drilled into us that if we don’t code appropriately, it’s insurance fraud that includes in billed “problems“ in the well person visit.

That's absolutely true, from another provider.

And it's not just about us. I would be happy to do something quick in a well visit so that you aren't charged a copay for a sick visit (either added on or as a separate visit) -- but this can be considered insurance fraud by the insurance company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just at the dermatologist this morning and had four different issues to talk about. He wanted to fist bump three different times, but addressed all my issues.

It's certainly easier to do when the complaints are related. Presumably dermatology questions are all to do with skin.

It's harder to make the case that they are related when it's a visit for possible asthma plus a mole looked at plus do you think this is gout?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they're related I only need one visit.

What they're trying to stop is someone coming in for the free yearly checkup and then bringing up major issues that needed more time to discuss.

But at a yearly checkup, I got a notice saying I couldn't bring up any problems. It's nuts.