a very long rant

i need to vent and to get your opinions on whether or not i should write a letter telling them how i feel when i request my records...

i was diagnosed with melanoma 4 years ago and had been going for 6 month body checks with the same dermatologist since then. i probably should have known something was off when the derm didn't even want to take off the mole i had concerns with but i digress..

so life got busy and i was about 6 months behind on my body check. my boss says to me "oh your doctor isn't seeing patients anymore" she apparently was in to see my derm for surgery on her mother and he actually was talking to her about me stating that he can't see me anymore because he's only doing surgery. the office did not notify me of this information which i think was their first mistake. how do you not tell a patient who had skin cancer that their doctor is no longer available.

so i call to make an appointment to meet one of the doctors taking over his patients and they can't give me an appointment until december. this was back in august. i call them today to tell them that i'm having a problem and i need to see someone soon and they tell me "oh we're not booking any appointments until February 09. you have to give us more notice." i said "i'm having a problem and your office can't see me until february."

now i am a patient who is known to their office for having a serious skin cancer and they're not going to make an effort to squeeze me in to see anyone??????? should i tell them my concerns or do you think they can care less? thanks for letting me vent!!

Re: a very long rant

forget the letter

go into the office and tell them that is person

that stinks- I am sorry- but I am sure you can find a better doctor to handle your care

Re: a very long rant

get alk of your records and go to another practice. Do it today. Get all of your records asap and make another appt.

I would not stand for this at all. When you do request the records tell them why.

Re: a very long rant

In addition to the above suggestions, I also think that you should contact your insurance company and speak to a supervisor. Let them know about the irresponsible and unethical neglect. Follow your conversation up with a poignant letter and CC it directly to the physician. It seems that if you don't hit the docs in their pockets, they just won't care. It's the fatal flaw with privatized medicine....their in it for the money. I'm so sorry that you're having trouble. I have had similar experiences with all the specialists I've been to. Good Luck...

Re: a very long rant

Re: a very long rant

I have a great derm that takes off just about EVERYTHING!

Dr. Watsky... located in lindenhurst. Used to have an office in massapequa too.

Call him ASAP. he will see you immediately.

Re: a very long rant

you can also write the insurance commission for your state (ny? nj?).. i write letters for our doctors all the time complaining about the course of care of other drs at 'well known' places... it might not do much but at least its in writing somewhere