I have two Primary Care Physicians (PCPs). No doubt, overkill. (H-m-m-m, maybe a poor choice of words, considering what follows.)

In the wake of my recent bout with Covid, I’m rethinking this ‘strategy.’ 

Here’s why.

Dr. ‘Charles’ is employed by a local Health System. With a caseload of 3,000 patients, he's required to see roughly 15 every day. Then he has to spend hours at a computer dealing with insurance companies. (According to Google, the average PCP in Wisconsin makes $207,171/year.)

Contacting ‘Charles’ for help through ‘My Chart’ is at best problematic. Some of you can relate. Perhaps that’s why we end up in the ER!

Dr. ‘Dickens’ is my ‘Concierge’ doc. He charges $2,400/year and takes only 600 patients. (Do the math.) Bonus; there’s no insurance paperwork.

I have Dickens’ cell phone number, and he did promptly reply to a text message. The OTC remedies suggested helped. A little.

But that was it. He didn’t want to see me. Worse, he never followed up to check on my status. 

Conceptually, two different paths to hospitalization at the same Health System. 

Really?!?!

Next week; Do We Even Need PCPs?