Yesterday I went for my yearly physical. I had the same doctor for close to 20 years, but he decided to leave his traditional practice and just do a marijuana practice.
So last year I found a doctor nearby and saw her for my physical last year, but she left and went to work for the county. So the office called me and cancelled my appointment for this year.
Anyway, there's a nurse practitioner in the same office who I met when I took my mother in law for an issue. I inquired about seeing her and made an appointment for my yearly physical.
They were having a hard time finding primary care doctors. National shortage. Nurse practitioner's can do everything I need like physicals, write prescriptions etc.. I don't take any prescription meds anyway.
So yesterday I see the nurse practitioner and told her we had met before etc.. She did the normal stuff asking me questions while looking at my info on her laptop.
Checked my carotid arteries, used her stethoscope and did the normal stuff for a physical. No problems. Blood pressure was 122 / 72, pulse was fine etc.. Got my script for bloodwork. Said our goodbyes and nice seeing you again.
The woman who checked me out scheduled me for a physical for 6 months. I said I don't need one in 6 months. I just had my yearly physical. She said I didn't have a physical, but had a 'wellness exam'. 🙄
Since it was the first time seeing her I needed to come back in 6 months. I said she did everything every doctor has done doing a physical. When I saw the previous doctor I didn't need a meet and greet. She did my yearly physical first time I met her.
I pushed back some more and said maybe there was some confusion because I see a dermatologist every 6 months because of skin cancer. So she went back and asked the nurse practitioner if it was a mistake.
Nope, no mistake. I said my insurance isn't going to cover bloodwork 6 months out. She said she may not want to do bloodwork. 🙄 So why am I coming back in 6 months for a yearly physical I just had?
She said you didn't have a physical. 😏 I said she did everything as far as I'm concerned and I have a script for my bloodwork which is the most important part of any physical as far as I'm concerned.
Finally told her let's make an appointment for a year from now for my yearly physical. She said ok and I was on my way.
Not sure what that was all about.
I'm always cautious with my cats going to the Vet. Too many are interested in ringing the cash register. I think they tried to ring the cash register with me yesterday, but it didn't work. They can ring it again a year from now, not 6 months.