Neurologist appointment at Shands in Gainesville!
 

After primary care referral review (2 weeks) I was advised the first available appointment with a neurologist would be 5/21/2024!!!

I worked very hard to control whether to gasp or laugh out loud. I asked what one could do to appeal for an earlier consideration...adding my name to their cancellation list was offered.

When pursuing a need to see a medical provider one does not expect to be offered something over 6 months away.

It is somewhat a concern that a medical provider would not think twice about offering such a lengthy wait.

I was just not prepared for such long lead times.

Makes the 2.5 hour ride to Mayo in Jacksonville look more and more acceptable.

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Wow.

Sounds like you must be on one of those Medicare Dis-Advantage plans. Sorry to hear it is taking so long. Almost like living in Canada it would seem.

Nope. Conventional medicare + supplement.

I asked if I were paying (not ins)......no change!

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There are stories of folks in Canada having to wait 3 YEARS to see an oncologist.

Assume there are some Canadians on this board; I would be interested in your take.

Well if you were in the VA system that wait could be 8 months or longer in some states. Consider 7 months a bonus.

Private practice oncologist 3 month first available initial appointment, that was because we worked at the facility, and received perks with office. If just off the street, 6 month first available appointment.

I'm just asking, but isn't Shands a teaching hospital and part of the University of Florida, which is a public university? Aren't appointments based on the priorities of the medical school mission to teach medical students?

Yes, you are correct that Shands is part of U of F and is a teaching hospital. However, I'm unaware of the priorities for getting appointments and there isn't one system for all teaching hospitals. Unfortunately, it's going to take some work and phone calls to find a timely appointment with a neurologist and maybe a drive as well. Your health is worth it!!!!

No, teaching hospitals (attached to Medical school or not)has private, and owned physicians.
The medical students, residents or fellows, have nothing to do with priority of appointments. They get experience when you enter the picture, right behind the attending.

The only time students have some control of appointments is at cadaver lab, and none of the cadavers have an issue with long waits

I am an established patient of them I have had three brain surgeries through that dept I could not get in to see anyone until end of march next year for a issue but that’s not happening. It has nothing to do with your insurance at all. They busy, so do what everyone else is doing and wait if it is deemed an urgent need they will get you in.. they did for me.

Wow! My wife was diagnosed with cancer by a gynecologist. That office called an oncologist's office and we got a call back for an appointment before we even got home! The appointment with the oncologist was less than a week later. This all happened in NC. Veterans deserve much better service than that!

You and everyone else!
 

Surprise surprise we all waiting, make that trip to mayo if you can get in.

I am from Canada and when I had cancer 7 years ago, I went from diagnosis to full and successful treatment in 7 months. Yes, our health care system has issues (much like the US is facing), but everyone has health care here. I left the hospital with a 0 bill like everyone else in my situation would. Sure higher taxes and longer wait times for some things.

There are about 5 million new citizens in the United States and most of them have not had any medical care their whole life so they are in need of medical care.

I share your pain - I’m looking for one now. Might need to be less picky of your choice of neurologists. Just pick one of the ones that have Healthgrade reviews of 2 stars and received their medical training from some third world country. Find plenty of them. Has the OP checked some of the better 3 star non-teaching hospitals across the state? Or check the hospital ratings and settle for one that has a 2 star rating like The Villages or Leesburg. (Maybe our local and state government might put more emphasis on how to make it attractive to bring quality healthcare to Florida?)