Hi Everyone,
OK new question. My brother Matt is planning to move. Lord help me.
How do you find a qualified, board certified Rheumatologist who actually listens to you?
I know how I have done it in the past. I am a nurse and have more access to doctors than most. I know who I trust and who I don't. But if you move and are looking for a new doctor in your new area (like Matt) and don't know anyone sometimes it takes a while to find a regular doctor you trust, let alone a specialist like a Rheumatologist. I have suggested a support group in the new area where he could meet other people with RA who might be able to share their experiences with the doctors in the area. I also suggested he speak with his present Rheumy to see if he knows anyone in the new city.Then there is the additional problem with changing to covered physicians everytime his company changes insurance carriers. This has been less of a problem recently however since more of our doctors here accept more carriers now. I don't know about his new city though.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for your input.
I have always been rather limited myself. I have a book (as I'm sure lots of us do) that list the doctors that are covered under my insurance. I have to choose someone in my area....and also who will accept my insurance...there aren't that many really. It was pure luck that I ended up with good doctors both times.
It may end up being a case of trial and error. He might just have to choose one and then if he isn't happy change; but that's a hassel I know.
What city will he be in? Maybe someone here can recommend someone. We've got folks from all over you know.
Best of Luck to your brother. You should tell him about our group here as well. We'd love to have him join us.
Lovie
Thanks Lovie,
I have told him and suspect he lurks or ghosts or whichever you call it, I figure he will speak up when he overcomes the shy factor
I think it's good to just go see someone and form your own opinion on someone.
AND MATT: Join us pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaase!!! We're really nice I swearWhere is he moving to? Maybe some of us will have some ideas.I know that when I moved my dr. found me a good one in my town. She
didn't know anybody here but asked around. She actually called some of
the hospitals down here and got names of physicians.
Luckily, I have a great rheumy now...I don't plan on moving again any
time soon...
Becky
what about using the referral area on www.arthritis.org
that might be a good place to look
Thanks everyone,
Matt is moving to Long Island.
Lisa thanks for that tip, all ya do is put in the zip and it gives you a list of Rheumatologists for that area. And it says they meet the criteria, I like that. Now all I have to do is figure out who is the best one.
Hmmmm There are a few more than I figured there would be. I guess we have our work cut out for us. And I don't want to seem greedy but I wonder if this is a complete list. It is a great place to start.
Thank you, thank you.