Keep putting off doctor appointments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is it not a requirement of most medical insurers that you have a standard annual physical?

I have GEHA. They call me up fairly frequently about getting a mammogram and doing the at home colon cancer test, neither of which I have done. They have never inquired about my not getting a physical. Which I just did this year after about 25 years of none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is it not a requirement of most medical insurers that you have a standard annual physical?

No? Literally never heard of that, and I’ve had easily at least 10 different insurance plans with various employers over the years. I don’t even understand how you think that would work - like, if you don’t get a physical, you… what? Don’t get anything else covered by the plan?

A big driver for me personally is that your physician can drop you as a patient if you don’t come back in a certain number of years. Happened to me once, i think it was after 3+ years, I was no longer considered a current patient and the practice was not accepting new patients any more so I had to scramble to find someone else.

Another thing is certain medications or conditions require a check in, but again that’s more on the physician side than insurance in my experience.

[Anonymous]

Same. Full time job and kids’ appointments, sports.

During Covid I turned 50 and had the colonoscopy, mammogram, pap, etc. because there was finally time and nobody else was going in for appointments.

I kept up with 1 the yearly physical and am doing mammograms every 2-2.5 years. Haven’t seen a gyno- but zero issues and on the 5 year pap schedule.

I hurt my back a year ago and should have seen an ortho/PT etc but can’t find the time. I do exercise daily

[Anonymous]

Not fair!

Women need a pap, a mammo and an annual. 3 different appointments yearly.

Then dentist and if you have a thyroid issue an Endo.

Men need 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same. Full time job and kids’ appointments, sports.

During Covid I turned 50 and had the colonoscopy, mammogram, pap, etc. because there was finally time and nobody else was going in for appointments.

I kept up with 1 the yearly physical and am doing mammograms every 2-2.5 years. Haven’t seen a gyno- but zero issues and on the 5 year pap schedule.

I hurt my back a year ago and should have seen an ortho/PT etc but can’t find the time. I do exercise daily

"5 year pap schedule." What is that? Do women only need one every 5 years now? Things keep changing it's hard to keep up. I know mamos changed too you can go longer between as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same. Full time job and kids’ appointments, sports.

During Covid I turned 50 and had the colonoscopy, mammogram, pap, etc. because there was finally time and nobody else was going in for appointments.

I kept up with 1 the yearly physical and am doing mammograms every 2-2.5 years. Haven’t seen a gyno- but zero issues and on the 5 year pap schedule.

I hurt my back a year ago and should have seen an ortho/PT etc but can’t find the time. I do exercise daily

"5 year pap schedule." What is that? Do women only need one every 5 years now? Things keep changing it's hard to keep up. I know mamos changed too you can go longer between as well.

im' on the 5 year pap - not sexually active

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:is it not a requirement of most medical insurers that you have a standard annual physical?

No? Literally never heard of that, and I’ve had easily at least 10 different insurance plans with various employers over the years. I don’t even understand how you think that would work - like, if you don’t get a physical, you… what? Don’t get anything else covered by the plan?

A big driver for me personally is that your physician can drop you as a patient if you don’t come back in a certain number of years. Happened to me once, i think it was after 3+ years, I was no longer considered a current patient and the practice was not accepting new patients any more so I had to scramble to find someone else.

Another thing is certain medications or conditions require a check in, but again that’s more on the physician side than insurance in my experience.

I only go to the PCP once a year so they'll continue prescribing a couple of things. I have a few other specialists managing other chronic conditions. The check up with the PCP is pretty useless because the lab tests are also done by the specialists, but as you say above I don't want to be kicked off the PCP's books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same. Full time job and kids’ appointments, sports.

During Covid I turned 50 and had the colonoscopy, mammogram, pap, etc. because there was finally time and nobody else was going in for appointments.

I kept up with 1 the yearly physical and am doing mammograms every 2-2.5 years. Haven’t seen a gyno- but zero issues and on the 5 year pap schedule.

I hurt my back a year ago and should have seen an ortho/PT etc but can’t find the time. I do exercise daily

"5 year pap schedule." What is that? Do women only need one every 5 years now? Things keep changing it's hard to keep up. I know mamos changed too you can go longer between as well.

im' on the 5 year pap - not sexually active

Oh nice I didn't know if you weren't sexually active you can wait 5 years. I fit in this group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an annual Doctor Day in January. I've done this for years. In September (I actually plan to do it this week!) I make a list of all the appointments I need this year, then I call through and schedule them all for the same day in January. Call the one you think will have the toughest scheduling first (usually that's any kind of specialist, but my dentist also weirdly fills up fast) and then go through the list.

For me this year it's GP, gyno, dentist, mammogram, dermatologist, hematologist. My dentist and dermatologist are in the same building and the radiologist is only a few blocks away, which helps. And the gyno and hematologist are at the same location as well. If you've got more than you can fit in a day, or they're further apart geographically, then just pick your priorities and do them.

It is funny to call and they're like "okay, next available is October 12th, I've got an 11am and a 3pm" and I'm like "No, I want January 22nd, ideally around 1pm?" But it works!

Yes to this! I am a teacher and have a hard time getting appointments after 4:00 so I will get a sub well in advance for a whole day and book at least 3 doctor visits for that day. (Things that are once a year like mammograms I do the first few days of summer break to get them over with before I start my summer work.)

[Anonymous]

The confirmations, repetitive paperwork alone for myself and my teen is exhausting, OP. You are a champion for all that you are handling. Please remember you have to put your oxygen mask on first. Do the best you can to prioritize your health (spa appointments included).

[Anonymous]

You are probably better off not going.