What you should do if you can’t get an appointment with your primary healthcare provider in a timely manner

What does an empowered patient do when told you can’t get an appointment with your primary health care provider for several months?

Ask if you can get onto your doctor’s waiting list. Call frequently to check up on the status of that.

Ask if you can see another doctor, Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in the practice. Do they have waiting lists you can get placed on?

Ask if you can make a telehealth visit with your doctor or other health care provider in the practice.

If you have a patient portal at your care provider’s practice, send him or her a personal message alerting them to your problem and asking them if they can squeeze you in.

Fax a personal note to the practice/your doctor,  telling them the urgency of your need for an appointment.  Include recent facts about your health and why you can’t wait to be seen.

Visit an urgent care center instead that requires no appointment. Most are open 8am-8pm 7 days a week. Keep in mind this will be a more costly visit.

If you feel your symptoms might be serious, go to a local free standing or hospital  Emergency Room.

If you feel your symptoms are life threatening, call 911. Keep in mind 911 doesn’t bill you unless they actually transport you to the hospital.

Ultimately, If all else fails, this might not be the best  practice to meet your healthcare needs. It might be time to switch practices.