Drs Sarafian and Beckerman of foxhall dropping BCBS, should I change practices?

[Anonymous]

I am due in two months and just found out that Dr Sarafian is dropping BCBS. I don't know how much out of network provider costs but I really don't have the money to pay extra. The only doctors still accepting BCBS at Foxhall is Lightfoot, Pardo and the new one. I am not to fond of Lightfoot, and don't know a thing about Dr Pardo. Is it worth moving to a new practice this late in the game. I am due in April and set to deliver in Sibley with Foxhall but everything is freaking me out. Sibley with its shared rooms or extra money to get a separate room. Foxhall's best doctors and the reason I am with Foxhall in the first place are dropping my insurance. This is my second child, the first one was a c-section. Not sure if I will be able to have a vaginal or need another c-section. I am new in DC and I am not too familiar with other practices in the area. I live in NW DC. Any advice/input will be much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Ask for your next appointment with Dr. Pardo and talk to her about your concerns re: VBAC vs. c-section. I'm a big fan of hers and really like her manner. (I also like Dr. Lightfoot though her manner is a bit different than the others in the practice.) If you don't feel comfortable with Dr. Pardo after a consult with her, then you might consider switching at that point. There have been lots of discussions on here about the VBAC issue and you may find that there is a better practice suited for you if you feel strongly about going that route.

FWIW, I delivered at Sibley, got and paid for a private room, and had a good experience.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Pardo is wonderful. I used to see Dr. Engle before he left for RHJ and switched to Pardo. I'd definitely meet with her and see what you think.

[Anonymous]

I mainly saw Dr. Engel when I was at Foxhall but saw Dr. Pardo on several occasions and really liked her. I found her competent and compassionate. She may have a bit less experience than Sarafian and Beckerman, but she still struck me as a good doc. I would have been totally comfortable having her at my delivery. Lightfoote was the only doc there I didn't click with or feel good about. I wouldn't put Pardo in the same category. I actually switched to Reiter and Hill and followed Engel--so far so good!

[Anonymous]

With only 2 months left in your pregnancy I'm not sure a switch makes sense. I switched from Foxhall to Reiter and Hill when I learned about Beckerman/Sarafian dropping BCBS but I was newly pregnant at 6 weeks. I preferred Beckerman/Sarafian but I also switched because I was concerned that I would have a hard time getting appointments. I liked Dr. Pardo, in fact she delivered my daughter and I thought she did a great job. I wasn't a big fan of Lightfoot and didn't meet the new doctor before I left Foxhall.

[Anonymous]

I would call BCBS and see if they won't continue the coverage of your doctors as in-network through the rest of your pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Not relevant but I LOVE Dr. Engel. I actually was seriously considering a switch but then was scheduled with him and have kept with RHJ simply because I think he is so great. I also like most of the other OBs there, but he really left a great impression on me.

I don't think it is a huge deal to switch doctors when you have 2 more months left. You still have lots of OB visits left!

[Anonymous]

If you decide you are switching, Capitol Women's Care at 2141 K Street accepts BCBS. It's a busy practice, but I am very happy with my OB - Dr. Newman. They also deliver at Sibley.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone seen the new doctor yet? Dr. Stany? I have an appointment with her next week since Dr. Malone (my old gyn) no longer takes BCBS either.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Sarafian used to be my doctor and I loved her, but when I got pregnant I was concerned that another doctor like doctor Lightfoote (don't like her) would deliver my baby and so I switched to a solo practitionner, Dr. Robert Footer. LOVE,LOVE,LOVE him. He delivers at Sibley and takes BCBS PPO. If you like Sarafian, I think you would like Robert Footer too.
I had a good experience at Sibley by the way, used the flexpay thing to pay for a private room.

[Anonymous]

Just curious--why do PPs not like Dr. Lightfoote? I don't know her well but she delivered our second child and I had a good experience with her then. Genuinely curious what PPs' reasons are.

[Anonymous]

I'm also puzzled by the reactions to Dr. Lightfoote. She isn't as warm as Dr. Pardo, but she's a very good doctor. She handled my induction (Dr. Beckermann did the actual delivery) and spotted some significant issues early on that led to an emergency c-section and saved our DC's life. She is extremely professional and knowledgeable and I find that to be a reassuring combination.

[Anonymous]

We used Dr. Engel at Foxhall with our first child and were extremely happy with him. We're following him to RHJN. I liked all of the other doctors at Foxhall (met Pardo once and thought she was very good) but have had a terrible experience with Dr Lightfoot and can't justify her unprofessionalism in that case. Maybe it was a bad day for her, but how she made us feel was uncalled for. I respect that she may be a good technical doctor, but given my own experience and the other responses on this board, there seems to be an issue.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks so much for your input. I am going to call BCBS and see if they will let me continue with Dr. Sarafian. I see Dr Lightfoot on Monday and I am going to try and see Dr. Pardo and then decide what to do. I am not too worked up about vaginal or C-section simply b/c the chances that the baby is breached is pretty strong.

[Anonymous]

I have seen Dr. Staney (the new Foxhall doc) twice, and really like her. I think she may actually be my favorite doctor in the practice-- took lots of time to answer my questions thoroughly, and was very warm. I have 2.5 months to go, and have decided to stay with the practice. My main reason is that they were super responsive when I had an emergency a few months back-- responded to my calls very quickly, and were great at helping me decide what issues to manage at home vs. when to be seen. My only worry is that the remaining docs will be even busier now.