Since the corona virus is ramping up again, have you missed any doctor's appointments?

HolyCross

I am considering canceling anything that is not mandatory, treatment, or follow up, etc. I'm not going just for "check-ups" anymore.

LiveWithCancer

Not since things ramped up, but before. My doctor canceled appointments.

I don't blame you for canceling visits that aren't critical.

GregP_WN

Like LiveWithCancer said, I had the same thing. When this first started getting crazy and they shut everything down, my facility canceled all non-urgent surgery and I had to skip a procedure. But everything else has continued. I agree, if you don't have to be there, there's no need to be. They are really pushing these "telehealth" phone or video calls for minor things now. I'm on the fence for those. There's only so much they can do over the phone or computer.

legaljen1969

A lot of things got moved around with the beginning of COVID. I suspect my last "converted to Telehealth" appointment was done due to the spike in our area's cases. Nonetheless, having not seen my oncologist or anyone in his office (or anyone provider's office) since April, I was not particularly pleased. Although, since the only choice I had was completely reschedule the meeting OR have a telehealth, I elected for telehealth.
I also had to have a little discussion with them today because they tried to charge for me for missed appointment since I didn't "show up" in the office. I had to remind them that I was half way there and I told them I preferred in person, but they told me I had to do telehealth or reschedule and if I rescheduled I would be charged for a missed appointment. That's why I did the telehealth. They still put me down for missed appointment because I "chose" to convert to telehealth.
I told them they needed to get the oncologist on the phone and get things straight because I was NOT paying a missed appointment charge for a "format change" AND one that took place on the same day.
I think they are straightened out now. Although my guess is I will be getting a bill for them getting him on the phone. Luckily I have my phone bill that will show all the time I had to spend on the phone with his office last week trying to get the appointment set up.

I really like my oncologist, but the staff in the oncology office is consistently rude to me. I have found out they are that way to almost everyone. I have bent over backward to accommodate them.

GregP_WN

Our local staffs, almost anywhere you go are just in their own little world. It's like they don't care if you're there or not and almost like they are ticked off that you interrupted them with your bleeding leg in the ER. They all could take lessons from the staff in ANY of the offices at Vanderbilt. I don't know what they do differently in their training, but a lot of people could benefit from it. And I've told a few who were acting like they hated their job that they could use a refresher course.

Bengal

NYS seems to have things pretty much under control right now so hospitals, clinics, etc.... have been getting back to normal. I had several televisits when NY was the epicenter but since June they've gone back to in person office visits albeit with extreme precautions. I'm sure if we start to get a significant uptick in cases in NY everything will revert back to extreme protocols again.

meyati

Hey, Greg- the doctors don't get paid unless it's video. I don't even stream-old equipment-. What makes me mad, is that I tell them-- phone only---then the doctor calls and is ready to see me. I received a message through my health chart how to do it. It has 2 many variables- Step 1, but if that doesn'rk do b or c-if you have Chrome do B12, apple C20, if you don't have Microsoft 10, then run around the house naked 3 times til the police catch you with a butterfly net.

I keep saying that I need to call the Presbyterian techs, and make them earn their money. It does not do any good to try to follow instructions on my own, if there isn't any way to see if I am doing it right and connecting.

banditwalker

I've had video appointments. Worked just fine. As a matter of fact, I'm going to ask if I can continue doing it this way from now on. I had my usual yearly tests last week and I felt very comfortable with their precautions.

meyati

Well, a few weeks ago T-Mobile went out in New Mexico, and at the same time, somebody tried to hack my account for a large amount. I thought I got my phone-1 year old - fixed. I went to the vet, and it wouldn't pick up a signal. It's supposed to be a good phone, but I have trouble with it. I had it on the desk-making a call- my screen showed that I was dialing-making a call and the 911 operator came on. I wasn't touching anything on the phone. Several times I wake up and my screen sver and ring tones are gone. At first I thought that I could use my phone for telemed. Now I'm not so sure.

Then I have Windows 7 on a 10 year old PC. Sometimes the browser doesn't work right-which is why I want to talk to a tech. I was reading an opinion on KevMD, and the main opinion was this issue. The tech savy doctor pointed out his amazement that large systems don't care to baby sit--tutor patients that have not rushed out to buy a new laptop/tower/stack for MS 10. I also received notices from Yahoo about this. Personally, I think this is an illegal monoply scam like the A&P monoply that was deemed illegal.

So, I need to call Presbyterian and see if a tech will help me and give me time to write notes and ask questions.

It seems that electronics also has COVID 19. I have been trying to buy a contractor grade extension cord. Even 6 months ago, I could go online and order one. It would be delivered-FREE-to my store, and I'd pick it up.
Or I could order one from the store that I wanted, and when somebody pulled it off the shelf, I'd get a text that it was ready-- again this was online-but there were 2 separate programs for these ordering methods.

None of these options seem to be available now. Loews-I have to call the actual store so I can order it and pick it up in a few weeks. Home Depot does not seem to have online ordering-and chat or phone doesn't give resolution. For some reason Loews isn't compatible with my PC anymore. HD said that others stores in the state have the heavy extension cords at other HD stores that are miles away. If I wanted to drive around and look-I would not be online.

I made an Ebay order, where it will be delivered to my house sooner than Loews can get one into Albuquerque. I am so fed up.

meyati

Oh, Ebay cost only a dollar more for what I needed-rating and length-than Loews and Home Depot- and Ebay didn't make me jump through hoops by driving around, calling and online chat with different people at each store, not standing in lines, walking here and there because the text said curbside pick up and I found out the hard way those stores don't do that in Albuquerque. I also don't have clerks look at me and walk off. I am nice to any clerk that will help me.