Tips on finding the best specialist in the US
 

Got any?

I am looking for a pulminologist. I used to like the office I am currently attached two, but they've screwed me twice since becoming some new brand.

First, it took a week to get a prescription on the daily medicine that I take so I can BREATHE. It was partially my fault for letting it get that bad, but I've NEVER had to wait that long. Never. I've had them call and offer me a sample before I had to wait.

Now, I need a prescription that isn't the default for my insurance. It was fine last year. One call to me and I told them I couldn't use the other options because nose sprays go right down my throat. No problem. Got the prescription past insurance.
This year? Got the call probably a week ago or more. Told them the same thing. This time, they sent in a SPRAY medicine WITHOUT telling me. What the fuck kind of office fills a prescription without talking to the patient??? Now, I am going to have to pay for some shit that - guess what - will go straight down my fucking throat. So fucking pissed I'm shaking.

Fucking done. So fucking done. I am looking for another office, but I have no idea how to go about doing it. Any suggestions would be helpful.

The Yellow Pages?

But spell it right, pulmonologist, not pulminologist.:D

Yeah, no, I'm no help.

:rolleyes: Spell check didn't have a suggestion. Google fixes it.

personal recommendation is the only way IMO.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who goes to a pulmonologist (happy grav?)

did you open the prescription? If not, you should be able to take it back and tell them that is not the right prescription and get a refund. Also, if you need the medicine, go in and talk to someone in the doctor's office until you get what you need. If it's been a while, though, they may need to see (examine) you before they can advise against the insurance default. Per the insurance's requirement and probably also standard best practice. Also, what about your GP/family doctor? They may be able to help if it's just a refill on an existing prescription. If it's a breathing emergency, GO TO URGENT CARE or the ER.

ask people if they know someone who does

Ok, let's assume this isn't an option or I would have already done it.

Any other suggestions?

:jig:

In all sincerity Bbro, I hope you can get this straightened out without a lot of bs.

:fingerx:

Are there any Facebook groups or Yahoo message boards specific to your particular disease?

And monster's right that any doctor can prescribe any med, if they want to. Go to your general practitioner and tell them you've already been stable on the med you like for a year, and are just looking to keep it going without paying the specialist rate of your pulmonologist and waiting for their less-personalized appointments. GPs love to be told they care more about their patients as individuals than those greedy specialists, trust me.

There are a number of YELP like doctor rating thingies online. Start by googling your current pulmonolologist and you should see a bunch of hits for sites like health grades or some shit. Also check for board certification, doesn't necessarily mean anything other than they haven't had too many complaints.

But basically go to any doc you trust (your GP as people suggested) and tell him or her what the problem is and can they recommend a GOOD doc.

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/

http://www.vitals.com/

https://www.healthproviderscore.com/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/h...tals/index.htm

so rude :/

Rude? Telling you she's already done that before coming here?

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who goes to a pulmonologist