What if I want to change doctors? How?

[JBWInColorado]

I've never had to deal with all this before so I'm wondering if there's a certain way to change doctors, and how it affects insurance, etc.

I was hospitalized/diagnosed back in August, and upon discharge I was told to go see an MS specialist at the hospital neurologist's practice. So I did. I've seen her twice and she's started me on tecifidera.

Now I want to possibly change to a dr through the Rocky Mountain MS Society. I figure this is such a life-changing diagnosis, I'd like a 2nd opinion, or at least I'd like to make my own decision about a doctor.

So what do I do if I decide to go with a different neuro dr? Do I just stop going to the old one? Will my insurance pay for a different dr?

Thanks for any info.

[Temagami]

My ins. paid for a second opinion at a MS Center- UPENN. I did not switch to there, but I did switch to a different neuro- still within the network. Get the paper booklet or go online to see the names of neurologists in your network. Maybe a Rocky Mtn. one is listed. Your ins. doesn´t care which neuro you choose WITHIN the network.

[misslux]

Yes, it all depends on your policy. Neuros in network are fine. Just request copies of all your files from your current neuro.

Now, out of network coverage (if any) depends on your plan.

[JBWInColorado]

My ins. paid for a second opinion at a MS Center- UPENN. I did not switch to there, but I did switch to a different neuro- still within the network. Get the paper booklet or go online to see the names of neurologists in your network. Maybe a Rocky Mtn. one is listed. Your ins. doesn´t care which neuro you choose WITHIN the network.

Thank you!!

[ostadkourosh]

Hello! You may also consider an academic center (like a university) which has a neurology residency training program. Usually you can find very reputable professors that train other neurology specialists. Good luck!

[cmorris975]

I asked my Kaiser neuro for a reference to another neuro, which he did with no problem.

Good luck,

Chris

[4boysmom]

I just quit going to my first neuro. My husband couldn't stand him, and he just seemed to want to test all the time, couldn't remember one visit from the next, etc.

So I just started going to a different neuro. The 2nd neuro ended up leaving town, but kindly sent my info from his 2 years as my doctor to my third neuro.

Conclusion: 3 different neuros. All have their quirks. I heard a doctor from Rocky Mountain MS at a meeting and thought if it were closer it wouldn't be a bad place to go. But 12 hours away is a bit long .

[Toomnyhats]

2nd opinion for peace of mind

Your insurance should not object to a 2nd opinion. It's in their best interest since you've been given a life-altering, lifetime, expensive dx.

I did this with my local MS specialist after a dx from a regular neuro. Call Rocky Mountain & request an appointment for a 2nd opinion. If you like what you see when you are there ask the doc about transferring your care to that facility.

Even if you decide your local doc is OK you will get confirmation of the dx & the choice of dmd. For me the specialist confirmed the dx but chose a different dmd. He even ordered 3 days IVSM (I was in a flare) which the other doc never mentioned.