You are protecting your doctor and yourself. If you have significant issues they will see you, if not, this is best for all. Buy a BP cuff, a pulse ox and a thermometer to keep check on your health. They are all cheap and automatic. They may save your life. Believe in science, it will save your life.

I prefer an in person, but I more strongly prefer not getting infected with Covid, so for now virtual will have to do. That being said, a few years ago my doctor saved my life during a routine screening examination that could only be done in person. There is no substitute for being in the physical presence of your doctor. Now, if they could find a way to get work done at the dentist virtually, I would be in on that.

Most of these docs are not in private practice. They work for an "employer" who sets the rates. They charge what they do because they can. They have bought up much of the competition. I say this even though my son is in med school.

I have a BCBS PPO and there is no co-pays for me on all tele visits. Check your insurance - you might not have a co-pay.

My doctor has me get my blood work 1 week before my regular appointment and she gives me the lab results then. This is the ethical way to do it.

I am not a doctor but covid 19 has been difficult for all. An office visit. You arrive, you likely need to touch door handles to get into the doctors office or push an elevator button etc. Then you sit in a chair to wait, fill out forms etc.

I don't like a phone visit either. Nothing is ever perfect. Irony-there was a story on the radio that dentists and staff are in the third string for getting a covid vaccine. As suggested by the person who phoned in they cannot possibly inspect your teeth, clean your teeth etc remotely.

I hope this will be over soon. Till then we all will be inconvenienced.

OAll 3 can be brought from Amazon for less than $100 and are automatic. Wide variety depending on how many bells and whistles desired. I brought a pulse ox as soon as it was suggested. If you have history of high blood pressure it may be a benefit of your insurance. Frankly, who doesn't have a thermometer?
I like the option of Tele visit for routine visits. If it is something urgent or new then I want to be seen in person but skipping waiting room is best.

I am far from a computer nerd. Fortunately, I get away with sticking it on my wife-published secrets?

Far as tests, if you've never seen them, you can see your tests on line. It is easy to read and to understand. Your result was xxxx, normal range is xxxx. If, you result is higher or lower than the normal range, something is wrong. Your doctor then decides what to do about it. More tests? Drugs? Or possibly do nothing. Watch it over time etc.

Once you try a video call you may be surprised at how great it is for basic visits. If you have a smart phone or pc it is not difficult. They should send you a link that you click on to connect.

Time for a new doctor

Nope
 

Wouldn't do it. Cancelled. They called back later and allowed an in office visit.

Video chatting is only for those who don't understand their labs or need anything else checked out.

Yes they bill the same so expect a bill.

Bowlingal.........Yes I agree with this comment 100%...... It is real tough to get any Dr to look at you these days and not their laptop when you are in the same room, at least you can get their attention eventually face to face. Reading results over the phone and charging for them is robbery.

Video call with dr
 

It's better than taking a chance of being exposed. Help keep the dr and staff healthy too.

I'm looking forward to getting the Covid vaccine and the government mandated implant that will come with it. That way my doctor won't even need to call me, can just get my current health info straight from a computer and avoid the hassle of even talking on the phone.




(Now where's that conspiracy/sarcastic font - when you need it?)

Either way Dr. won't spend more than 5 minutes with me.

True that CV "lightning" may not have struck either you or your Doctor for that particular visit. But, CV like "lightning" does strike SOME people. You and your Doctor did have RISKS - he more than you because you see 1 Doctor - he sees multiple patients day-after-day. He has a problem of BIG risks. He is dealing with an elderly population, many with pre-conditions that pre-dispose them to having weak immune systems.

I wonder how that appointment went? You were inside in non-moving air, which is 15 times worse for CV than outside. That doesn't change just because someone has a "Doctor" title in front of their name. He or she is a human and you are a human - so you 2 needed to be separated by a MINIMUM of 6 ft. To minimize the risk you BOTH needed to have on an N-95 mask AND a clear visor - gloves and a PPE jacket would have also reduced risk. The US is deficient in PPEs compared to other countries. So, I DOUBT that you both were properly equipped for that encounter. And temperatures needed to be taken 1st. - and office surfaces wiped down with disinfectant. I can see why both Doctors and Patients (especially among predominantly older patients) would PREFER telemedicine.

For those who believe that I am overstating the precautions and the risks, many Doctors and experts on TV have stated that, "it is best to treat any person that you encounter as IF they had the CV".

I did it with my doctor and was fine w/ it. I was glad not to go out and get same amount of time with the doc.

I do NOT like it

A good story. Sorry that you got such a "run around". Hope that your new Doctor works out better. I believe that various rashes are on the increase because of increased mental stress, anxiety, and confusion during this period of CV. Yours might not be related? There is some question as to IF society can completely return to the "OLD" normal even after vaccines are universally available? That WILL be interesting to observe!

I made an appt in person at The Villages Health Center in Brownwood. They sent me an email and 12 page questionnarie. The nurse met me at the door and took the paperwork. My appointment was last Thursday. They check your temp etc. Doctor Jerry Jones was patient and took time to review my health. I was very happy with the care at this office.

By video is the only way I’ll visit the doctor; I’ll not sit in the waiting room with a bunch of old people that drop their mask as soon as they leave the check in counter. I don’t know where they’ve been or who they’ve been around.

To each their own....

I agree with most of the post. Except for the part about - who cares what the insurance pays? Well, I do!

My doctor's office charges the insurance company a reduced fee for phone or video visits, and I pay nothing at all for them. That's the contract FloridaBlue has with The Villages Health.

That was a cute trick - I guess patients will have to join a "patients union" in order to offset the power of insurance companies and fight the system (management).

That trend reminds me of factory farming and other greedy ways to restrict competition. Sounds like a MONOPOLY to me - with the patient and society being the loser!

That is good advice to follow your blood test results over time. Reading them is like reading a foreign language written in shorthand, very difficult! - but important. Iron and magnesium deficiencies can increase as people age. My basic blood test does not include them. Wish that I knew more about that?

I had a video call for a minor item, it was OK. Nothing like the real thing though if it's important.

Virtual Dr. visits.
 

I have had 3 Zoom Drs. meetings and will continue virtual visits until the vaccinated. :coolsmiley:

I've had two video doctor visits this year, one with Villages Heath at Brownwood and the other with my VA doctor at Mulberry. No problem connecting with either, you have a camera on you computer and you go to the link they provide about 5 minutes before the appointment and that is all there to it. I don't use the speakers on my computer, I always use earplugs and they have a built in mike, so it worked perfect for hearing and speaking. My last Brownwood appointment I did go in person because I got a new doctor, Dr. Rashid and she is very good, much better than my previous Brownwood doctor.

Not generally a fan
 

I am okay with some follow up visits by phone especially if the main thing is to review lab results. I don't like the fact that some doctors seem to be using the health crisis as an excuse to get paid for a phone call with little work from them or their staff. For example, I had an appointment scheduled for December 3 and the same day they called to tell me the doctor no longer was in that local office on that day of the week and wanted to know if a phone visit was okay or if I wanted to reschedule. Mind you there were no labs to discuss so this visit normally would have involved my vitals and possibly other testing. I was aggravated that knowing he had changed his office schedule they hadn't notified me sooner, and so I asked to reschedule. This was on a Thursday and they scheduled me for the next Monday. The very next day or maybe even later that day, I received another call from the office saying that the doctor wanted to know if I could make it a phone visit. You can imagine my attitude as I told them in not so polite terms that they could shove the appointment. I will be looking for another specialist to replace this one!

The COVID Pandemic has shown a light on the WEAKNESS of the US Medical and Health Care System - CV has stressed out a system that was BARELY functioning BEFORE the pandemic and these posts prove that point. It is further PROVED by the fact that the US spends the most per person on Health Care in the World but, is around 30th in positive outcomes for its citizens. That is BEFORE CV, so the system IS broken. ........Doctors and their overworked staff have come under the thumbs of the greed of the CEOs of the Corporate Insurance Companies. The Doctors and staff are forced to fill out reams of paperwork designed to allow the Insurance Companies to avoid paying out as many claims as possible. They both spend most of their time on their keyboards while NOT listening to the needs of the patient, which are secondary. The US Health system is run by NEITHER Doctors or patients, but rather by overpaid INSURANCE CEOs and management.

Solution is easy---move to your socialist paradise of Venezuela:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

No comment. I stand by the message in my post.

Listen and listen good please. I live my life the way I want, not by someone's opinion, or mandate of how they want me to. It's simple.....some can't, don't want to agree, and are content with having their lives dictated to them, I say your life, fine, do what you will, but stay out of my business thank you.

I'm sure you do

That was Mary Mallon's approach to life. She wouldn't let anyone dictate how SHE would live it.

She caused 50 or more deaths by continuing to serve as a cook for families while being an asymptomatic carrier of typhus.

Mary Mallon is most famously known as Typhoid Mary.

Your health is MY business. Wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands.

*******

My health, life, is none of your's or anyone else's business...period.

Bestest, most impressivest, metaphor that I have seen in awhile !!!!!!!!!!!!