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In reply to the discussion: I'm freaking out a bit. [View all]erronis
(24,605 posts)Everything has shifted to a very limited insurance-dictated window for seeing the patient and then dealing with all the forms. The continuity of care has disappeared.
The primary care doctors are mainly gate-keepers for the insurance companies. They may really want to know their patients, but they aren't reimbursed for that time.
Most optometry-ophthalmology practices have been taken over by the big corporations who have no connection to the patients.
Super-specialized practitioners are making big bucks, but there's no "whole" patient approach. My cardiologist doesn't want to know about my blood cancer numbers (oncologist) - and vise-versa. Don't get paid for dealing with things outside of their ICD codes.
In these cases we need a personal hero - a doctor or nurse who knows the system and will take the time to advocate for our particular case. Sometimes good hospitals have some type of ombudsman role, perhaps you can find one for your eye problems. (I have glaucoma and early macular degeneration - runs in family.)
Good luck!!!