[cokopoof]

Where I live just about ever physician and therapist are part of some group. And than some of those smaller groups are all branched to a large overall group that ends with the hospital here. My mom had a-lot of unpaid bills and they would no longer see us. She paid the bills but now they're saying that they can't accept us as patients. She's tried many places but they also "aren't accepting new patients". She went to the behavioral health place where most of the therapists are and they had a bulletin board in the lobby showing who was accepting new patients. She called them and talked to some people at the place itself but they were saying "they'd get back to her" most of them haven't called back and it's been 2 and a half weeks now though they said within 24 hours they'd get back... It might be my anxiety or fear of rejection but something definitely feels wrong about all this. We have insurance, there are places that take our insurance (a-lot of them) and yet none of them can call back or accept any of us as patients? How am I supposed to get help, none of the doctors.therapist that are not associated with this group accept our insurance and we don't have very much money at all. Is it really okay for them to not accept us because we had back up bills before (that have been paid in full now)

[kaliope]

what you are talking about is unethical. it is doubtful that they have talked to each other about you because confidentiality doesn't allow that. more likely it is that the office is so busy that you are being overlooked and they are not getting back to you. this unfortunately happens a lot. you need to keep calling. if nothing else they will schedule you to stop the phone calls. good luck.

[healingme4me]

Through my divorce, my ex neglected to pay an orthopedic bill. And when I needed to take my son, to the orthopedics, they couldn't accept him without paying that bill. Had to deal with the creditor, and then submit to the orthopedics, some code number, so their office could remove that hold and accept him, into their practice. It was done within a matter of hours.

Is it, a code, from the collections department, that is holding you back? If the bill is paid, and they accept your insurance, I cannot see why they'd not accept you.

Can you call your insurance company and get a list of approved doctors? I get that some may not, currently accept new patients, or their is a wait period, sometimes up to three months.

It's disheartening to imagine you cannot be seen by a doctor. How about the ER?

Originally Posted by cokopoof

Where I live just about ever physician and therapist are part of some group. And than some of those smaller groups are all branched to a large overall group that ends with the hospital here. My mom had a-lot of unpaid bills and they would no longer see us. She paid the bills but now they're saying that they can't accept us as patients. She's tried many places but they also "aren't accepting new patients". She went to the behavioral health place where most of the therapists are and they had a bulletin board in the lobby showing who was accepting new patients. She called them and talked to some people at the place itself but they were saying "they'd get back to her" most of them haven't called back and it's been 2 and a half weeks now though they said within 24 hours they'd get back... It might be my anxiety or fear of rejection but something definitely feels wrong about all this. We have insurance, there are places that take our insurance (a-lot of them) and yet none of them can call back or accept any of us as patients? How am I supposed to get help, none of the doctors.therapist that are not associated with this group accept our insurance and we don't have very much money at all. Is it really okay for them to not accept us because we had back up bills before (that have been paid in full now)

[Perna]

Patients get a choice of doctors and doctors get a choice of what they want to practice and with whom. We have very long waiting lists here for dermatologists, for example, because they're all doing quick/easy cosmetic botox injections where they can make more money so my husband had to go to a general surgeon to get his possible skin cancer spots removed.

I would go to my primary care doctor and see if you could get a referral from him and/or I'd try other avenues of therapists; social workers, family therapists, etc. It could be there are not that many open spots (signs and lists get old and not updated) and/or others are calling and on the lists, etc. for certain doctors. Many doctors don't take insurance at all, you have to pay out of pocket, etc.

[ECHOES]

I have been "severed" (their word) by the local large doctor group associated with a hospital... for not paying my bill fast enough. I'm fortunate that I do have other choices. The business ends of these large groups are not forgiving.

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by Perna

Patients get a choice of doctors and doctors get a choice of what they want to practice and with whom. We have very long waiting lists here for dermatologists, for example, because they're all doing quick/easy cosmetic botox injections where they can make more money so my husband had to go to a general surgeon to get his possible skin cancer spots removed.

I would go to my primary care doctor and see if you could get a referral from him and/or I'd try other avenues of therapists; social workers, family therapists, etc. It could be there are not that many open spots (signs and lists get old and not updated) and/or others are calling and on the lists, etc. for certain doctors. Many doctors don't take insurance at all, you have to pay out of pocket, etc.

I am seeing that out of pocket option more and more. I wish you and your mom all the best here. You've gotten some great tips, and just be persistent and if you are still having problems, if you don't mind complaining to various officials or getting any publicity, do so, by all means. Getting someone to sit up and take notice.

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I have been "severed" (their word) by the local large doctor group associated with a hospital... for not paying my bill fast enough. I'm fortunate that I do have other choices. The business ends of these large groups are not forgiving.

Yes, this too, I am seeing more and more, and they may go back a long way as well. But I would still fight the fight and make the best arrangement you can. I can see where this is and will be an ongoing issue for many. Again, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers!