Guest guest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 On December 31, 2007, my pain doctor decided to leave the pain clinic I had been going to in AZ. My doctor took the medical directors position at a pain clinic that is about 25 miles from us. The current pain clinic is 5 miles from us. Each of his patients received a letter from the pain clinic informing them that he was leaving and that we could follow him to his new clinic, or we could possibly stay at this clinic. If we wanted to stay at this clinic, our cases would be reviewd on a case by case basis and if we are accepted we would be assigned a different doctor (they have several). I informed them that I wanted to stay at this clinic since I liked the clinic and it was close to my home. This clinic is more procedural based. Although they were managing my problem with pain medicine, they did have a few procedures that they wanted to try back when my doctor decided to leave the clinic. Today, I received a certified letter from them informing me that they are declining to keep me as a patient and I would be best served by following my old doctor to his new clinic, or finding a new doctor who specializes in treating chronic back pain with medicine nagement. I have never had this problem before. I am not sure what to do. I guess what upsets me is that they are making this decision without even talking with me or examining me. They are just denying to treat me and wishing me well. Has anyone else had a problem like this? How did you handle it? Thanks, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hi Rich If you're old doctor is only 25 miles away, it sounds like it would be a darned good idea to keep him/her. Especially since you received decent care and have a past with this doctor. Obviously, since the old clinic is " procedural based " and you are taking medications instead, there's not much money to be made in having you for a patient. It's a sad statement about their sense of medical duty. -- Lyndi Rich wrote: > I informed them that I wanted to stay at this > clinic since I liked the clinic and it was close to my home. This > clinic is more procedural based. Although they were managing my > problem with pain medicine, they did have a few procedures that they > wanted to try back when my doctor decided to leave the clinic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Rich, I have found this year especially bad when it comes to doctors declining to take me on as their patient, even though I had been cared for by a doctor on a regular basis for years. It seems so wrong, but I guess as long as they are allowed to pick and choose who they want to treat, this is going to continue. Sad for those of us with chronic illness and especially when part of the reason for being declined is based upon chronic pain. I don't know what can be done, but health care is going to have to change or many people will find themselves without a doctor even though they have insurance. Personally, I'd drive the 25 miles to my original pain doctor if you are getting relief. Jennette rsunde673 wrote: Today, I received a certified letter from them informing me that they are declining to keep me as a patient and I would be best served by following my old doctor to his new clinic, or finding a new doctor who specializes in treating chronic back pain with medicine nagement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Sorry your having so many problems with drs. I live in florida and my husband has serious back problems. Everyone says to get out of florida to another dr - anyone have an input on this. We are very satisfied with the drs, just not the outcome. Any advice would be appreciated : -------------- I have found this year especially bad when it comes to doctors declining to take me on as their patient, even though I had been cared for by a doctor on a regular basis for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I read your E-mail and it always moves me when I hear that our medical system picks and chooses thier patients. A good friend of mine had chronic headaches and was unable to find a treatment to control the pain. I spoke with Kirk and he informed me that he contacted a Practitioner Assistant from theUniversity here in Anchorage who really dug deep and helped him. Never give up trying to locate some help sooner or later you will find some one who will help you. Keep strong and we'll chat later. Carl rsunde673 <rsunde673yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Today, I received a certified letter from them informing me that they are declining to keep me as a patient and I would be best served by following my old doctor to his new clinic, or finding a new doctor who specializes in treating chronic back pain with medicine nagement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I really am the type of person that feels that there is a goal for me to reach. I also know that there is that one person in the medical field that will be there. Do not give up looking and please remember that know matter how tough things get believe me I know that we are with you every step and breath. Take care chat soon rsunde673 <rsunde673yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Today, I received a certified letter from them informing me that they are declining to keep me as a patient and I would be best served by following my old doctor to his new clinic, or finding a new doctor who specializes in treating chronic back pain with medicine nagement. ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hello Rich: I havent had the problem like you had just experienced however I understand that it is a difficult for you. The reason that you were denied was probably because the new physicians seen that you have established a solid foundation with your old provider. I know that it is a bit of a drive for you but it is worth every mile because cases like ours are tough to handle and some providers as well as our friends are having a hard time finding care they need. Take care chat soon. > > On December 31, 2007, my pain doctor decided to leave the pain clinic > I had been going to in AZ. My doctor took the medical directors > position at a pain clinic that is about 25 miles from us. The current > pain clinic is 5 miles from us. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Moderator's note: Please contact Lani privately if you can recommend a pain clinic to her. We do not list doctor's names so we can protect their privacy. Kaylene >Rich wrote: I am originally from Minnesota. I was hurt at work in 2005. I had been a patient at a great pain clinic there. Hi Rich, I live in MN and I have been looking to change pain clinics. Who did you like when you lived in MN? Thank you, Lani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thanks everyone for the great advice. I will be weighing my options here and will have to make a decision and I will take your comments into cosideration. The " old doctor " had recommended a few procedures to try and I got them approved right before this went south. The thing I found interesting is that based on this letter, it appears that the rest of the doctors there think that I would be best managed with medicine as opposed to procedures, so I am not too sure what to think about these approved procedures now. One of my problems is that I am originally from Minnesota. I was hurt at work in 2005. I had been a patient at a great pain clinic there, but we moved to AZ because everyone, including all of my doctors, felt that a move to a warm and dry climate would do me a lot of good. Immediately after moving I had great difficulty finding a pain clinic here that would take me because the bill would be paid by out of state workers comp., even though my case is settled and I have documentation regarding it and what they will continue to pay for in the future. Anyway, thanks for the support and help. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I can feel you on the out of state mess & finding doctors & hospitals that will take out of state workers comp. But the fact that the pain came from an accident & treatment is needed no matter where you live the system makes it all so hard to get the help you really need. rsunde673 wrote: I had been a patient at a great pain clinic there, but we moved to AZ because everyone, including all of my doctors, felt that a move to a warm and dry climate would do me a lot of good. Immediately after moving I had great difficulty finding a pain clinic here that would take me because the bill would be paid by out of state workers comp., even though my case is settled and I have documentation regarding it and what they will continue to pay for in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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