Does anyone use Oak Street Health for their health care provider?

[Siwsan]

I signed up with them, thinking that since they are a Medicare specific practice, it would be a good and easy fit. I was even assured that they were here to help me with MY health care goals. My only real complaint, so far, was that, even though they seem VERY patient friendly, just like MOST HCPs, they hear me but don't necessarily listen to what I'm saying.

And now I've now been waiting 2 full days for a returned call that THEY said they would make, on Tuesday, about a possible adjustment to my medication. I even called, today, to remind them and was assured I'd get a call by the end of the day. The "day" is ended and no call.

And, when I dialed a local number to what I thought was the Burton, MI clinic, this morning, the call was actually redirected and connected to someone in North Carolina!?!!?? She was lovely and we had a nice chat, beyond the reason I called, but still.

I'm wondering if I should just start looking for an individual practitioner.

ANYWAY, just interested if anyone else uses them.

[Hoyt]

1. Don't use them. Sadly, odds of finding a really good primary care physician -- like Marcus Welby --

nowadays is pretty small.

You can always join a Concierge medical practice where the primary care docs don't take insurance or Medicare, charge you a couple thousand dollars a year, and promise to spend as much time as you need. They are able to do that by limiting their patients to 600 or so. Unfortunately, most of us can't afford that.

Hope they get back with you.

[Siwsan]

2. I'm thinking about just finding a good behavioral health provider to deal with my anxiety

That's my biggest issue. It is a big factor in my massive case 'white coat hypertension'. I've been prescribed Zoloft on a daily basis a ridiculously low dose of Ativan as a supplement, when I need it. They don't really help ease things for an appointment, but my BP drops dramatically by the time I get home. I keep telling them this - fully documenting it - and it's like I'm speaking Greek. This has been an issue with every health care provider I've seen, starting when I was in the Navy which, coincidentally, was when the anxiety really became an issue. There are, of course, other factors that fed into it, and it's my fault for not seeking counseling, earlier. (It was heavily frowned on, in my upbringing.)

Depending on how many thousands, I probably could afford a concierge provider, and I might just see if there are any in this area.

[Hoyt]

3. My BP goes up 20 to 30% when I go to docs. If you can afford it,

Concierge medicine will likely get you someone who will listen. You’ll have to keep insurance for specialists, tests, hospitals, meds, etc., but you’ll likely get more time with the primary care doc.

[Desert grandma]

6. If you are a veteran

you might see if the VA offers any counseling or behavioral health services. My spouse is a veteran who goes to the local VAMC here in Albuquerque for regular checkups and told me they have a very good mental health department here. He also uses the same primary doc I use if he needs to be seen right away. He also uses our Medicare and supplement plan for specialist care, like dermatology.

[Siwsan]

7. Thanks!

I'll look into that. I think there is a VA clinic fairly close to me.

[Desert grandma]

4. Spouse and I both have original Medicare

and fortunately where we live, most doctors, those in large clinics as well as individual practitioners, accept original Medicare. Ours has been our physician for many years, so we are fortunate in that sense. It is a shame that no one is answering your request for a call back. If nothing else, you could drive over to the office itself and mention that you have been waiting for a phone call, and after so many days you decided to come in person to get an answer to your question.

[Siwsan]

5. I had that very thought, this afternoon

And the most frustrating thing is, they told me, on Tuesday, they'd be calling ME. And that was Tuesday morning so 3 days with no call, and now an ignored reminder, from me.

Sometimes I think I'd be better off if I found a local Shaman to treat me.