Submitted by InternetNearby365 t3_126tozq in WorcesterMA
Just moved here and have not had much luck finding a primary care provider that is accepting new patients.
What's the deal? Does Worcester have a shortage on good doctors???
Comments
dina_NP2020 t1_jecaswu wrote
Message your PCP via MyChart and ask for refills on your meds while you are looking for a new PCP. I believe legally, they have to give you a 30 day warning before discharging you from the practice or it’s considered abandonment
This-Recording9461 t1_jecf7x9 wrote
I'm not really worried about it, more of an inconvenience. I was getting 90 days at a time in the mail, I have some months left. It wasn't for anything of immediate importance, just bp meds. I had been rotating between the Dr and her NP every six months, but after the doctor left my upcoming NP appointments were cancelled in MyChart. Someone with availability will pop up eventually.
IOUAndSometimesWhy t1_jecmjym wrote
Same thing happened to me. The woman I spoke to at Reliant said no one was accepting new patients, she wasn't at liberty to tell me when there would be openings, but to call on Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Not sure if it was a fluke, but FWIW I called the following Wednesday at 9am and they had a couple docs accepting new patients. Unfortunately none in Worcester, but I got one in Westboro which isn't awful.
I figure I won't be making the drive out there often. I mainly just need a name to give BCBS for referral purposes and rx refills.
Worth a shot I guess.
my_ashy_paintbox t1_jebjmcc wrote
Welcome to the aftermath of the pandemic. I lost my job during the pandemic 2020 and switched to a Masshealth plan, to this day I haven’t been able to find a pcp
thedecentshepherd t1_jeawims wrote
The entire US is looking at having a shortage of 100k + doctors by 2030. (Need to double check numbers but it's what I recall.)
So it's definitely an issue overall. Consider looking in the surrounding towns too. Or call Umass memorial or reliant to see availability
perry3335 t1_jebrmgp wrote
I'm stuck in limbo at the moment, my doctor sent me a letter in November stating she was moving her practice to join UMass primary group. It included the new number to call for appointments, etc.
I called last week to schedule my physical for later this year and instead of speaking with someone at her office directly, I was dealing with UMass Central Booking who informed me that the doctor was on vacation but that they had closed her scheduling and she was not accepting any more patients. They suggested after 20 years of her being my doctor that I not tried to find another primary care doctor.
Ive been calling around and no one is taking patients. It sucks because I'm currently in treatment for three different medical issues, and i don't know what to do. Going to try to call back in a couple weeks to see if she's back in the office and hopefully I get a different answer.
PM_me_spare_change t1_jebvpmv wrote
Try St. Vincent Med Group too
mrch1ck3nn t1_jebzq8x wrote
call the number on your insurance card
OrphanKripler t1_jeebzb2 wrote
Good luck keeping a pcp if you ever get one. They love leaving and going out of state
Content_Ad_7767 t1_jechg2s wrote
Drs. Golan on Park Ave is accepting new patients or at least he was. I see his P.A. Christine. My husband has Dr. G.
Tothemoon019 t1_jed8puk wrote
I was going through this same situation looking for a PCP after moving to the area. Umass has online scheduling where u can see which doctors are taking new patients and when u can be seen. It’s not great but I was able to get in with someone in mid May.
augustus_octavian82 t1_jee11ni wrote
Check out the St. Vincent Ambulatory Care clinic on Grove agree (Northworks building) if you don’t mind seeing a resident along with the PCP.
[deleted] t1_jebkkv2 wrote
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_life_is_a_joke_ t1_jecm1s8 wrote
Having the same problem. Been looking for over a month. If I was 40 years younger or 25 years older, I would have a bunch to choose from.
SquirrelKey3196 t1_jecpkks wrote
I work in Reliant ask for NP to see you, if not go to urgent care and get refill while you find a pcp. Try Harrington mass memorial clinic theirs a couple doctor accepting patients and their is a new pcp her name is Kripa Gautam, MD. She works in reliant Neponset st in Worcester Ask for her.
Educational-Fruit125 t1_jectucy wrote
You could try Tammy Gardell in Auburn - I had a hell of a time finding a pcp as well. I’m new to Worcester too!
FireflyHealth t1_jeepdv0 wrote
Normally I would just stick to using this as an ad account but...I would be remiss if I didn't mention this is exactly what we address at Firefly Health- it's virtual-first primary care that almost anyone in MA can use.
You can have a PCP through us by the end of the day today and we'll navigate you to whatever it is you need, virtual or in-person.
https://www.firefly.health/care let me know if you have questions- sorry for the shameless plug :)
trickphoney t1_jeezx10 wrote
Have you called 1-855-UMASS-MD?
InternetNearby365 OP t1_jeg3coy wrote
They were not very helpful. They gave me a list of offices to call with "doctors accepting new patients". The first 2 that I called were closed to new patients. The next 2 were scheduling appointments beginning late October.
flowercrownrugged t1_jeba9i9 wrote
UMass Primary Care or Reliant are going to be your best bets for finding a PCP
SmartSherbet t1_jebp76w wrote
Not reliant - they kicked my wife and me out of their practice when our doctors retired and left us on our own because they have no one accepting new patients. Avoid that place - working conditions must be pretty bad since no doctors seem to want to work there.
This-Recording9461 t1_jeb3569 wrote
My PCP just left Reliant, got a note in the mail she was leaving in a week and that was that.
I called the office to see who could refill my prescriptions and was told I'd have to find someone else.
Problem is, I looked at both Reliant and UMass, neither have anyone taking new patients. I'm assuming that even if I find another PCP, they'll be so booked out I won't see them for a minimum of six months to a year.