I had an excellent PCP for three years, and one day she's replaced by a regular MD, with nary a word to patients! The 'relacement' was an Asian gal. Nice enough but with no 'bedside' skills at all, and no knowledge, other than computer records from previous provider. She was gone in less than three months. They seem to go through staff like rabbits...

I really, really liked my gal provider. She knew me, answered all my medical queries with honesty and assured me of the state of current trends with guys my age, and the latest info on AO, and related stuff. But like all the rest... She moved on.

I received a letter last week informing of my 'newest' PCP, Dr. Denise Weil. Dr. Weil is a VIRTUAL PCP, meaning that your appointments with her will be using teleconferencing technology. WTF?So she'll be 'videoing' into the clinic to my next appointment... NOT in the fuckin' exam room with me?

Fuck! I'm seriously concerned about this: When you have your next appointment you will 'meet' your new PCP, Dr. Weil.
Sincerely, Primary Care Salem Staff

I'd copy this document and put it up for y'all, but that's the gist. Needless to say I'm unfuckinguncomfortable with this shit!

Uke~Out!

Uke wrote:

---

 Needless to say I'm unfuckinguncomfortable with this shit!

---

 Ya think yer uncomfortable now, just wait till she tells ya from the safety of the TV

that you can drop trousers and lay face down on the exam table and asks ya if you

want Vaselene or K-Y Jellie. Then a big probe pops out from a counter and starts 

moving yer direction.

Im still a little perplexed why you chose (choose Tu choose?) the VA over Medicare and a gap policy? I have no idea how it works.

Ive always thought that using the VA is a choice you make. I know that is how it was when my dad had a massive stroke. The VA provided light years better care for him than private minimum wage places.

Uke wrote:

---

Not really a choice. More of a right to have the best care 'they' (Uncle Sam) owed we who served in their military. I didn't choose the VA, it was offered when I separated from active duty. I still have all my documents, and medical records as required. IF they question my eligibility.

Let me ask you, what would you do IF you had my 'option'? Turn it down, or say "Okay, I've earned this!"

---

You absolutely earned it. You absolutely have a right to use it. It is part of the deal that the American people made with their veterans. It is also something that has a a long and checkered past with variable outcomes for the veterans who use it. Many in the VA system have no options. Americans over 65 generally are qualified for Medicare with private doctors. I think you may have an option for private local healthcare outside of the VA, IDK. I'm also about half-sure and not going tu go tu Goggle that VA bills Medicare for eligible veterans. Much like RRB bills Social Security for Tier I retirement benefits.

Are you saying that you are not eligible for Medicare? I don't know the ins and outs of VA eligibility any more than there's millions of veterans who are similarly eligible who do not "choose" to use VA. They have private employer provided insurance or Medicare. The only complaints that I've ever heard is that there is a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork. The horror stories are always somebody somewhere else, so no personal experience with the bad side of VA. The disgraced SEAL ex-Congressperson here uses VA, as does Rep. Seth Moulton.

I'd probably give the TeeVee doctor a try. It's the future of rural healthcare. You may not think that you're 'rural enough' right now to have it. If your area has quality healthcare and you don't like telemedicine, I'd probably find myself a private doctor/health clinic/healthcare system, etc. who accepts new Medicare patients, get a gap policy or a Medicare Advantage* plan and do it that way. Life is too short, and maybe shorter, to do without quality healthcare if you can get it. 

 

 

 

* - Part C Medicare Advantage Plans seem to be a love them or HATE HATE HATE them thing for people Snippy knows who enrolled in them. They're HMOs with a different name.

I've always deferred to wait until the eldest Vet is seen by a doctor, or the younger guy in the room who's obviously in need right now. The waiting to be seen has never really bothered me.

But I DO want to see a REAL doctor one on one, face to face. NOT a virtual 'doctor' as they have lined me up for my next appointment. That said, the appointment is pending, so I don't know when that is, but it should be at my regular clinic in Salem.

When I receive that, I'm going to ask to have my case reassigned to Eugene clinic, and a real doctor. That's MY choice, which VA must honor.