Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 I should think that in terms of better care, more often the general rule would be to go to a specialist which is one who would specialize in the medical field in which one needs the care. For generalized care, one would see a PCP (Primary Care Physician). In terms of HMO's, a PCP is generally the one who would refer you to a specialist and often one in which is on the provider listing of your HMO. These sometimes vary within different HMO's. If you require a specialist who is not within the area or not on the provider list, often this would would require a greater co-payment and initial up-front payment for their service rendered. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule and this can change with night and day. Be well!! Always, cloud Dear Group, I have a question. I have decided to change doctors. I have an HMO and need a PCP. I don't think my insurance allows Rheumatologists to be PCP. So, my question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologiest, do you have to pay for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding of fibro. Do you think that is true? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 I should think that in terms of better care, more often the general rule would be to go to a specialist which is one who would specialize in the medical field in which one needs the care. For generalized care, one would see a PCP (Primary Care Physician). In terms of HMO's, a PCP is generally the one who would refer you to a specialist and often one in which is on the provider listing of your HMO. These sometimes vary within different HMO's. If you require a specialist who is not within the area or not on the provider list, often this would would require a greater co-payment and initial up-front payment for their service rendered. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule and this can change with night and day. Be well!! Always, cloud Dear Group, I have a question. I have decided to change doctors. I have an HMO and need a PCP. I don't think my insurance allows Rheumatologists to be PCP. So, my question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologiest, do you have to pay for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding of fibro. Do you think that is true? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 I should think that in terms of better care, more often the general rule would be to go to a specialist which is one who would specialize in the medical field in which one needs the care. For generalized care, one would see a PCP (Primary Care Physician). In terms of HMO's, a PCP is generally the one who would refer you to a specialist and often one in which is on the provider listing of your HMO. These sometimes vary within different HMO's. If you require a specialist who is not within the area or not on the provider list, often this would would require a greater co-payment and initial up-front payment for their service rendered. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule and this can change with night and day. Be well!! Always, cloud Dear Group, I have a question. I have decided to change doctors. I have an HMO and need a PCP. I don't think my insurance allows Rheumatologists to be PCP. So, my question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologiest, do you have to pay for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding of fibro. Do you think that is true? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 Thanks for the advice. Right now my PCP REFUSES any type of pain medication for me except Ultram, which doesn't work. I keep " begging " and it gets no where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 Thanks for the advice. Right now my PCP REFUSES any type of pain medication for me except Ultram, which doesn't work. I keep " begging " and it gets no where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2002 Report Share Posted September 1, 2002 Thanks for the advice. Right now my PCP REFUSES any type of pain medication for me except Ultram, which doesn't work. I keep " begging " and it gets no where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2002 Report Share Posted September 2, 2002 I think PCP's come under greater scrutiny when comes to writing scripts for a narcotic pain killer so either is in your best interest to request an appoint with a pain clinic in your area or a specialist who often deals with patients who often require pain medication (yes, like a rheumy). Begging will only get you soiled knees. Hope you feel better soon! Always, cloud Thanks for the advice. Right now my PCP REFUSES any type of pain medication for me except Ultram, which doesn't work. I keep " begging " and it gets no where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2002 Report Share Posted September 2, 2002 Begging will also label you a " drug seeker " and from that point on, you will be hard pressed to get anything. My best suggestion to you is to search diligently for nonpharmacological ways to deal with your pain. If you have these, can demonstrate them to your doctor, explain the how, when and why you use them and that you are asking for help for when your other plans fail, you might get somewhere. The Lady Dragonfly www.theladydragonfly.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2002 Report Share Posted September 2, 2002 Begging will also label you a " drug seeker " and from that point on, you will be hard pressed to get anything. My best suggestion to you is to search diligently for nonpharmacological ways to deal with your pain. If you have these, can demonstrate them to your doctor, explain the how, when and why you use them and that you are asking for help for when your other plans fail, you might get somewhere. The Lady Dragonfly www.theladydragonfly.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2002 Report Share Posted September 2, 2002 Begging will also label you a " drug seeker " and from that point on, you will be hard pressed to get anything. My best suggestion to you is to search diligently for nonpharmacological ways to deal with your pain. If you have these, can demonstrate them to your doctor, explain the how, when and why you use them and that you are asking for help for when your other plans fail, you might get somewhere. The Lady Dragonfly www.theladydragonfly.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to ms-contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work.How is your friend who was in the hospital? My neice had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well,they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie Re: Rheumatologist Doctor wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to ms-contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work.How is your friend who was in the hospital? My neice had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well,they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie Re: Rheumatologist Doctor wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to ms-contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work.How is your friend who was in the hospital? My neice had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well,they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie Re: Rheumatologist Doctor wrote, > So, my > question is this, to those that go to a rheumatologist, do you have to pay > for it, get a referral, or is it your PCP? Also, it seems as if the ones > that see a rheumatologist get better care because of a better understanding > > of fibro. Do you think that is true? I have to get a referral and I pay a CO-payment when I see my rheumatologist. I think that they are not quite so cautious in prescribing the opiods. I take MS-Contin. I tried Oxyconten and the patch and side effects with both of these but not with the MS-Conten. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2002 Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to MS-Contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work. How is your friend who was in the hospital? My niece had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well, they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie I am very sorry to say that my pain is no better. On a scale of 0 to 10, I am about a 9. I saw my doctor this morning and I am going to take Topamax along with all of the other meds that I take. I am going to start on a small dosage as I am very sensitive to medications. Topamax is supposed to help the pain in the whole body. Morphine is the generic name for MS-Contin. I am still on that and taking it on a regular basis. My friend is doing fine. They moved him today from ICU into an Intermediate floor. Pat, his wife, is going to start sleeping here instead of on a chair at the hospital. I hope that she does as she is very tired and she looks it too. I don't know what she is going to do next week. She is a lawyer and she needs to make a decision on how she is going to handle things. One good thing for her is that our house is about 10 minutes from the hospital and they live in a small town about 45 minutes away. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2002 Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to MS-Contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work. How is your friend who was in the hospital? My niece had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well, they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie I am very sorry to say that my pain is no better. On a scale of 0 to 10, I am about a 9. I saw my doctor this morning and I am going to take Topamax along with all of the other meds that I take. I am going to start on a small dosage as I am very sensitive to medications. Topamax is supposed to help the pain in the whole body. Morphine is the generic name for MS-Contin. I am still on that and taking it on a regular basis. My friend is doing fine. They moved him today from ICU into an Intermediate floor. Pat, his wife, is going to start sleeping here instead of on a chair at the hospital. I hope that she does as she is very tired and she looks it too. I don't know what she is going to do next week. She is a lawyer and she needs to make a decision on how she is going to handle things. One good thing for her is that our house is about 10 minutes from the hospital and they live in a small town about 45 minutes away. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2002 Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 Irene, Is your pain better? You were in such bad pain when you came back from your vacation. Did they change you from morphine to MS-Contin? I am always afraid to change my pain meds I just keep taking the same thing and as long as I'm not in a bad flair they work. How is your friend who was in the hospital? My niece had that surgery when she was 36 and she isn't doing well, they gave her 10 yrs to live and it has been nearly 2 yrs already. She is a real bad diabetic. Take care Audie I am very sorry to say that my pain is no better. On a scale of 0 to 10, I am about a 9. I saw my doctor this morning and I am going to take Topamax along with all of the other meds that I take. I am going to start on a small dosage as I am very sensitive to medications. Topamax is supposed to help the pain in the whole body. Morphine is the generic name for MS-Contin. I am still on that and taking it on a regular basis. My friend is doing fine. They moved him today from ICU into an Intermediate floor. Pat, his wife, is going to start sleeping here instead of on a chair at the hospital. I hope that she does as she is very tired and she looks it too. I don't know what she is going to do next week. She is a lawyer and she needs to make a decision on how she is going to handle things. One good thing for her is that our house is about 10 minutes from the hospital and they live in a small town about 45 minutes away. Take care, Irene Books may well be the only true magic Alice Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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