Should I switch GIs?

[chrisnsteph1022]

I've been going to the same GI since shortly after being diagnosed 8 years ago (didn't like the guy who diagnosed me). He's done 5-6 scopes on me (including two this year). He's up-to-date on current treatments and research (even knew what LDN was!). He listens to my opinions on treatment and lets me make the final call. He can always see me with little notice and procedures are only booked a week or two out. Basically, he's a great doctor and I really like him. So why would I switch?

Well, I recently (last year) started a new job, working for a hospital corporation. We own several hospitals and physician practices around the country, including the main hospital in my small town. Due to this, my insurance will only cover certain procedures done at one of our hospitals/practices. Makes sense. However, my GI does not have privileges (or any interest) at this hospital. Therefore, my insurance refused to cover the endoscopy I was supposed to have last week with my colonoscopy. Strangely, they covered the cscope. Not sure why. But I may not be so lucky next time. Also, if I ever need to be hospitalized or have surgery, I will have to go to my hospital. While there, I would be under the care of a different GI.

Should I establish myself as a patient with the local GI now, and switch to him for my care? He's slightly closer to home, practices at the hospital covered by my insurance, and may end up being just as good or better than my current GI. Or should I stick with my current GI and see if I can work something out to get referred to the local GI for my procedures?

 

[kllyeve]

A few things pop into mind.

Can you financially afford to cover any procedures your insurance will not provide should you stay with your current GI?
It sucks to think it all comes down to money but with this being a lifelong disease sometimes money will be an issue.

I would talk to your current GI about the new GI. See if he has heard anything about his reputation or how he handles patients. This area is not all that large and they may have run into each other at conferances or at other times in their careers. I live in a city of about 1 mill and there are only 10 or so GI specialists. I would ask about them working together to co-ordinate your treatment, if the insurance company will go along with this.

Also changing doctors could happen for other reasons than insurance, say if you moved cities.

Good Luck

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I did mention to my GI that if I was ever hospitalized, I'd have to go there, and he volunteered the info that the GI is very good and would take care of me. No, I could not afford to pay for any procedures without insurance (which is why I ended up not getting upper GI last week). If I absolutely needed something not covered, I'd have to get the new GI to do it anyway. So I was thinking it may be beneficial to be an established patient of his by that point.

 

[tiloah]

You can at least set up an appointment with the new GI and see how you get along with her/him. It may not give you an idea of how "good" they are at their job, but if your GI says you'll be taken care of, that counts for something right?

I suppose it's not possible/practical to have your current GI handle your care and the new GI just for doing the procedures?

 

[flowergirl]

i was going to say same as diesandhur - get an appt with "new" gi and see how you like him/her. you can tell an awful lot about someone just by talking with them for a few minutes.

 

[crazycanuck]

Yep I'm in agreement with the 2 above. I'd give the new GI a shot and see what he is like. Ask lots of questions just to get an idea of their views on things and see where you go from there.

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I scheduled a consult with the new GI for 10/26. I'm going to give him a shot. I have a list of questions for him regarding his opinions on certain treatments, his experience with Crohn's, etc. If I don't get a good feeling from it, I'll just ask if he's able to do procedures for me and transfer the results to my current GI.