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Doctors - how does this work?

Doctors - how does this work?

Old Jul 18th 2017, 7:02 am
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Default Doctors - how does this work?

A question about doctors - here in England we register with the local doctors surgery then ring up when need an appointment. Does this work in a similar way over there? Do you pay every time you visit the doctors? We have medical insurance sorted, but I'm just wondering what we need to do once we're over there. I'll need to arrange some vaccinations for my children as the state we're going to requires vaccines not routinely done here (although I have got the first dose booked in for them here next week, but they'll need another 2 doses once we're over there)
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 10:54 am
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

A lot depends on your insurance plan.

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Old Jul 18th 2017, 11:12 am
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Brandy07
A question about doctors - here in England we register with the local doctors surgery then ring up when need an appointment. Does this work in a similar way over there? Do you pay every time you visit the doctors? We have medical insurance sorted, but I'm just wondering what we need to do once we're over there. I'll need to arrange some vaccinations for my children as the state we're going to requires vaccines not routinely done here (although I have got the first dose booked in for them here next week, but they'll need another 2 doses once we're over there)
Once we got our insurance cards I immediately registered on the plan website to see the list of in network providers. I could search by location and see reviews. I then telephoned to ask if I could register. I expected a family doctor set up would take all of us but they wanted the kids to go to a paediatrician instead. I ascertained this on the initial TC. So back to the website and repeat using that specialism. I booked An "office visit" for an annual check up for the boys and they had additional shots as required then. They asked for immunisation record in advance - I took the red books.
Separately my husband and I had our health checks with blood work. A bit like our 40th health check we'd recently had at home.
Whether you pay anything for these depends on your plans. We did not but I've since had additional specialist appointments and I pay $35 each office visit for those. I haven't paid for the shots either but again that will likely depend on the plan.

I waited for the physical insurance cards - they had come by week 2 IIRC. My boys are below school age and healthy and I made banking and DMV my first tasks while waiting for the cards. Ringing the insurance provider may give you info to kick off the process sooner, if you need to for school. Someone with more experience could advise better.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 12:44 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Chesten
Once we got our insurance cards I immediately registered on the plan website to see the list of in network providers. I could search by location and see reviews. I then telephoned to ask if I could register. I expected a family doctor set up would take all of us but they wanted the kids to go to a paediatrician instead. I ascertained this on the initial TC. So back to the website and repeat using that specialism. I booked An "office visit" for an annual check up for the boys and they had additional shots as required then. They asked for immunisation record in advance - I took the red books.
Separately my husband and I had our health checks with blood work. A bit like our 40th health check we'd recently had at home.
Whether you pay anything for these depends on your plans. We did not but I've since had additional specialist appointments and I pay $35 each office visit for those. I haven't paid for the shots either but again that will likely depend on the plan.

I waited for the physical insurance cards - they had come by week 2 IIRC. My boys are below school age and healthy and I made banking and DMV my first tasks while waiting for the cards. Ringing the insurance provider may give you info to kick off the process sooner, if you need to for school. Someone with more experience could advise better.
Thank you for that. I'll contact my insurance provider. They do have a list of providers, but at the moment we don't have a house so I don't know exactly where we'll be. my children don't have the red book as they were born in Sweden, but my local doctors are putting all the vaccines they had there onto their record here so I'll have one record for both of them. I need that anyway to send to their school.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 2:47 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Brandy07
A question about doctors - here in England we register with the local doctors surgery then ring up when need an appointment. Does this work in a similar way over there? Do you pay every time you visit the doctors? We have medical insurance sorted, but I'm just wondering what we need to do once we're over there. I'll need to arrange some vaccinations for my children as the state we're going to requires vaccines not routinely done here (although I have got the first dose booked in for them here next week, but they'll need another 2 doses once we're over there)
Talk to your insurance company. Each plan has its own rules but in general...

* You will typically register with a specific Primary Care Physician (PCP). He or she is rather like a British GP.

* They will handle your routine needs referring you to specialists when required. Often the PCP sign off is required before you can see a specialist.

* Children under 18 are typically registered with a primary care pediatrician. That's very normal.

* Office visits typically involve a co-pay ($5 to $50) although they may be waived for preventative visits (annual checkup).

* You're right to get the kids vaccination records sorted out. They will be required by schools, colleges and more.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:14 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by malch
.... Children under 18 are typically registered with a primary care pediatrician. That's very normal. ....
That depends entirely on local services and/or personal choice. My daughter has always been registered with the same family doctor as my wife and I.

Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 18th 2017 at 3:17 pm.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:15 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by malch
Talk to your insurance company. Each plan has its own rules but in general...

* You will typically register with a specific Primary Care Physician (PCP). He or she is rather like a British GP.

* They will handle your routine needs referring you to specialists when required. Often the PCP sign off is required before you can see a specialist.

* Children under 18 are typically registered with a primary care pediatrician. That's very normal.

* Office visits typically involve a co-pay ($5 to $50) although they may be waived for preventative visits (annual checkup).

* You're right to get the kids vaccination records sorted out. They will be required by schools, colleges and more.
Thank you. I've spoke to the insurance company. I need to register with one of the providers on their list. They've sent me temporary health cards while the arrange the cards. They said that as long as I use one of the providers on the list and show the health card I won't have to pay. I've got a list from the school what vaccines they need to have. Trying to get as much sorted before we move!
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:18 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by malch
* Office visits typically involve a co-pay ($5 to $50) although they may be waived for preventative visits (annual checkup).
They will be waived.. until the Republicans do their thing.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:19 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by MidAtlantic
They will be waived.. until the Republicans do their thing.
Which, if the shambles in DC yesterday is anything to go by, won't happen before hell freezes over.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:20 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Brandy07
Thank you. I've spoke to the insurance company. I need to register with one of the providers on their list. They've sent me temporary health cards while the arrange the cards. They said that as long as I use one of the providers on the list and show the health card I won't have to pay. I've got a list from the school what vaccines they need to have. Trying to get as much sorted before we move!
you should ask about co-pays. Even our really good insurance has a $20 co-pay per person for most visits. The only exception to that is a preventive service appointment when it is $0.

When you are moved in, shoot me a pm and I'll send you my info sheet explaining different medical services. It has a section for you to fill in details which you may need in an emergency to help avoid large out of network ER hospital bills.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:36 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Brandy07
Thank you. I've spoke to the insurance company. I need to register with one of the providers on their list. They've sent me temporary health cards while the arrange the cards. They said that as long as I use one of the providers on the list and show the health card I won't have to pay. I've got a list from the school what vaccines they need to have. Trying to get as much sorted before we move!
Would not take this as gospel....... there are inevitably either co-pays (smallish amount to pay) for doctor visits, and then there are deductibles (amount you have to pay before insurance kicks in).

Insurance usually only pays for 80% to 90% of costs.

That's just the way it is.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:42 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by SanDiegogirl
Would not take this as gospel....... there are inevitably either co-pays (smallish amount to pay) for doctor visits, and then there are deductibles (amount you have to pay before insurance kicks in).

Insurance usually only pays for 80% to 90% of costs.

That's just the way it is.
I believe she was talking, in the post you quoted, only about the vaccinations, which are free.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:45 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Pulaski
That depends entirely on local services and/or personal choice. My daughter has always been registered with the same family doctor as my wife and I.
I'm sure it varies, especially in more rural areas. But around here almost all kids see a pediatrician versus a normal PCP. Given a choice, I'd elect for the pediatrician every time. A good pediatrician is a wonderful resource to have on hand. The ones our three kids have seen over the years have been simply amazing.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 3:54 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by malch
I'm sure it varies, especially in more rural areas. But around here almost all kids see a pediatrician versus a normal PCP. Given a choice, I'd elect for the pediatrician every time. A good pediatrician is a wonderful resource to have on hand. The ones our three kids have seen over the years have been simply amazing.
+1

Since everyone takes their kids to a GP in the UK and not to a paediatrician, they don't know what they are missing because they've never had it.
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Old Jul 18th 2017, 4:11 pm
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Default Re: Doctors - how does this work?

Originally Posted by Pulaski
I believe she was talking, in the post you quoted, only about the vaccinations, which are free.
And during such visits for vaccinations they'll ask if you have any concerns, if you mention that little Timmy had a cough six months ago they'll add a sickness visit to your well child visit and get paid twice for the same visit and you will have to pay your co-pay/deductible etc.
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