PCP recommendations

[jindc]

The first appointment I could get at GW for a PCP exam - with MD IPA or ANY insurance - is 14 January. I have the appointment, but I'm wondering if anyone has a PCP that they particularly recommend under MD IPA?

I've got a car and am willing to travel, but I can't really find any reviews. I'm totally spoiled because my PCP is great, but she became a members only clinic so I no longer see her.

I am interested in starting a cycle early in January since day 1 of my cycle SHOULD start at the end of December, meaning 2-3 weeks of BCP.

Am I being unrealistic?

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's just me but I'm confused by your post. Are you looking for a primary care physician? If so, that shouldn't have anything to do with fertility treatments. If you're looking for a reproductive endocrinologist and haven't had any of the testing done then yes, your timetable is unrealistic. Sorry, I'm just confused.

[Anonymous]

You might try cross-posting on the regular Health & Fitness forum. Can you not get in with one of the MDs in the GW practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it's just me but I'm confused by your post. Are you looking for a primary care physician? If so, that shouldn't have anything to do with fertility treatments. If you're looking for a reproductive endocrinologist and haven't had any of the testing done then yes, your timetable is unrealistic. Sorry, I'm just confused.

I am guessing, based on my own considerations of switching insurance, that the OP is using the open enrollment season to switch to MD IPA and therefore needs a PCP in their network to write the referal to the RE she already sees? In any event, I *THINK* I'm sticking it out with Aetna since I *SHOULD* have 3 IVFs left with them but am also toying with the idea of switching to MD IPA knowing I too would have to get a referal and wait out the whole enrollment approval process with them. So, I would love answers to the question.

[jindc]

Yes, sorry - you need a PCP that takes MD IPA to do a referral.

i thought some women here might have an MD IPA doc they like (or like enough, this person doesn't have to be my doc forever, just need a referral).

I called GW internal medicine, since it might be easier to have everything in the same system...but their first PCP appointment with any doctor (and I called about a month ago!) was 14 January.

If I assume MD IPA takes 5 days or so to approve, I would think we're still cutting it a little close in terms of starting stims, but I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

jindc wrote:If I assume MD IPA takes 5 days or so to approve, I would think we're still cutting it a little close in terms of starting stims, but I could be wrong.

If they approve, MDIPA will backdate your approval to the day it was submitted. They can also offer expedited (same day) approvals if your RE's office requests it an follows up.

We took the risk of getting IUI before the approval was finalized (it was eventually), though you may not want to do that with IVF.

[jindc]

hm, interesting, PP.
the only issue I see would be the drugs.

I'm getting my non-injects through Tricare right now but those are minimal.

Ideally I could find a decent PCP to get me the referral earlier in January...so, if anyone still has a recommendation, I'm open!

[Anonymous]

Where are you? When we had MDIPA we switched to the doctors at Potomac Physicians Associates. We are really happy with them. I can usually get in with someone the same day if I am sick or if it is for a physical or something else within a day or so. Also, they run on time, which is almost unheard of. I go to the Bethesda location but they also have locations in Kensington and Gaithersburg, I think.

[Anonymous]

I live in Logan Circle, but for a good doctor, I'll travel - I have been going to Chevy Chase so Bethesda isn't much different. I'll check it out - thanks! Is there a particular doc you like?

[jindc]

The above was me - it signed me off, hence anonymous. But thanks for the recommendation - it has mixed reviews on yelp, but I can only trust yelp to a point and I figure the women on here are like me (not easy to please when it comes to docs!)

[jindc]

So, problem possibly solved - I decided to try One Medical Group - it's a "members only" clinic, but I got a mailer for three months free, so 12 months for $150. I called, got an appointment for 2 January at 8:30 in the morning!

I figured that with all the paperwork that might need to get done, it might be worth the investment to work with - even if only until it's all worked out - a front office that seems to be reliable. They take insurance, and the yelp reviews are positive.