lotsofpumpkins Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) I used to do both each year, way back before having children. I'd just get the pap smear at the gyn, and then I'd go to my primary care physician (internal medicine) for a physical with bloodwork. I spent the last decade having babies, so I stopped going to a "regular doctor" for checkups and just went to the ob/gyn/midwife. My youngest is 19 months, and we aren't planning on having anymore. I went to the gyn in January for my yearly checkup, but all they did was the pap smear. I had some bloodwork about 18 months ago for life insurance, and everything looked okay on that, but I do want to have my thyroid checked due to fatigue and family history. Should I have asked the gyn to run bloodwork? Or do I schedule an appointment with the family practice doctor to do that? Will insurance pay for both each year? I asked my insurance (Blue Cross) about this, and got a confusing answer. I've read through the contract a bunch of times, and can't figure out if it's really covered or not. With our plan, we get one well-visit per year, but I can't decipher whether well-woman care is considered separate or not. I know my Mom always does both each year, and like I said, I used to, but that was with insurance that just had a co-pay for the visit, so it wasn't a big deal. With my current insurance, the well visit is free, but I have to pay for other visits until the deductible is met. Just wondering what is "normal" in this department. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to ask the gyn to do more tests, since they really aren't considered a primary care physician (plus they had signs up all over the place saying that if you had any complaints, they couldn't consider it a well visit and the insurance wouldn't pay for it. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since I know doctors find stuff wrong with people all the time during "well visits". Isn't that what they are for? To find any problems?). I'm not going to ask the family doctor to do the pap smear; I want to continue having that done at the gyn. So, I don't see all this as really being combinable, meaning, I think the insurance should pay for two well visits per year. I might end up calling them sometime; the email correspondance didn't help. Edited June 19, 2012 by lotsofpumpkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 We're done having babies, and I've never had a questionable PAP, so I just have my regular doc (internal medicine or family practice) do it. I don't go to any doctor all that much (annually would be shocking for me), so it's unlikely I would make two separate well appointments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I started using a general practitioner for everything. She does everything in one yearly visit. She will actually even handle non-complicated pregnancies, which isn't an issue for us. But the way my thyroid affects every body system, it's nice to have one doctor handling everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Nope. Most of my last several paps have been in conjunction with pregnancy, haha. And my DH is a family doc, so while we don't have regular check-ups, I've got someone around for me and the kids that I can say, "Hey, what's up with this?". My kids have mostly been to the doc for well child visits and vaxes, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 No I don't. My GYN/OB handles blood work and will help a patient in anyway she can. I go yearly to her and thats it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksr5377 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I go to the OB/GYN, my internist, and my dermatologist (mole check) yearly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofpumpkins Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Nope. Most of my last several paps have been in conjunction with pregnancy, haha. Most of mine have been too. Same with the bloodwork. Being pregnant was a place of comfort for me; I knew that I was healthy. Now I'm in this weird place where I'm not automatically going for checkups all the time, so I have to decide when I need to go. I am also wondering if the fatigue I'm feeling is a symptom of a thyroid problem (very common in my family) or if I'm just getting older! My toddler sleeps through the night fine, so I get plenty of sleep, so I know it's not that. Since I've already been to the gyn this year and I'm not sure the insurance will pay for another checkup, I'm thinking I might just go to the family practice place here in our tiny town and see the nurse practitioner and ask for some bloodwork. If anything comes back as abnormal, then I can figure out what to do from there. A visit with the nurse prac isn't too expensive, plus the children have seen her before and I really like her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofpumpkins Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 I go to the OB/GYN, my internist, and my dermatologist (mole check) yearly. I do go to a dermatologist, not every year, but usually every 2 years. Having a high deductible is annoying, because we have to pay for 100% of the derm visits. Even with the insurance reducing the allowed amount, it's still expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I have only seen a midwife for the past several years. I go yearly, because my mother waited years, and dysplasia(sp?) left untreated and she ended up with a hysterectomy :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBS Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) I would skip the general prac in the year I was pregnant each time, but now, during menopause my gyn gets more than just a check-up, he gets tears and long discussions. I think I'm supposed to start bone-scans at this age, but didn't schedule it yet. Now, I do gen prac visits and use him as my "waist-up" doc, and go to my gyn for his specialty, plus do yearly mammograms. I am not very professional, I guess, but I don't want my gen guy doing pelvics....I just don't like his nurse and he's kind of a friend. Silly, but it's true. I have to go annually to get a health form filled out so I can go to Boy Scout summer camp, usually, too. Absolutely check with your insurance, and get a real person to tell you what your policy allows. I think there are laws in some states forbidding insurance companies for requiring that a woman get a referral to go to a gyn....and all the policies we've had thru my husband's work have paid for well-visits to both, every year, for me and daughter. I have worried about the blood work too: gyn does it for some things, gen doc does some, and I have to go to an endo for a thyroid concern, so, will he repeat the same tests? Wonder why they can't share? Or get on the same page about what tests need to be done? That's probably my job. I do notice that more offices are expecting you to know your coverage and not checking for you, or finding out ahead. Dagnabbit dentist's office, casually asked if I wanted flouride for son, and he had just had a birthday putting him over the age for flouride treatments, so I got a bill for $38. Poopy. Edited June 19, 2012 by LBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I only see a regular doctor when I have a reason to. I get a general checkup at the OB/GYN. Not sure why I would need annual bloodwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 nope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofpumpkins Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 I only see a regular doctor when I have a reason to. I get a general checkup at the OB/GYN. Not sure why I would need annual bloodwork. I don't really worry about bloodwork on an annual basis, but it's nice to check once in a while to make sure cholesterol and other stuff is okay. When I had mine checked for the life insurance, it was a little high, but that's normal since I was breastfeeding. I would like to eventually see that it has gone back to normal since ds weaned. And like I said, I need to have my thyroid function checked. If I get bloodwork soon and everything is normal, I likely won't do it again for at least a couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatYoung17 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I go to the OB/GYN, my internist, and my dermatologist (mole check) yearly. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 No. I look to do a pap about every three years, and I don't go to get any sort of general check up, ever. I go if I'm sick or there is something wrong. My GP does my pap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweiss Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I go to the OB/GYN, my internist, and my dermatologist (mole check) yearly. Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I go on an every-other-year cycle. So Gyno on the even years, Geriatic generalist on the odd years (Hey, I live in a retirement area! And besides, I'll age in). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Never been to a gyn. I don't get regular paps, but the time I got one it was at a GP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Be happy you aren't me. I go to a gynecologist once a year for pap smear. I go to Internal Medicine a few times a year and usually have blood work associated with that. I go to the rheumatologist about once every four months and he does extra bloodwork then. I also have to have once a month blood work done by the rheumatologist office to check for certain problems my long term medicines could give me. I also go to the Coumadin clinic at least once a month and sometimes even twice a week depending on how my INR is and also any medication changes by any of the other doctors. That always involves a finger prick blood test and sometimes changes my coumadin dose and sometimes involves me giving myself injections. Then I also see a dermatologist once a year and the opthalmologist twice a year with a once a year field vision exam (which I hate with a passion). Are these all our medical visits? No, of course not since youngest visits allergists frequently plus orthopedists and of course, regular doctor and the older one visits so many specialists that I have a hard time keeping track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 nope Me neither. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Nope. I only go kicking and screaming. Forced into it once a year due to thyroid issues. I go to my primary care for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 No. I think I had a pap about 5 years ago and that was the last one. It had been at least 4 before that. Everything was fine. I didn't go to the dentist for 16 years. When I did go, after 16 years they told me my teeth were fine/perfect/no problems. I do need to see an endocrinologist, but may start with a GYN. I have a pituitary adenoma that really needs to be checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Nope. Last time I was examined down there was at my six week check-up with the midwife after youngest ds was born. He's 12 now! I don't have much luck with finding docs that listen and don't act like it's a real pain to have, gasp, a patient. So, I have one doc that I tolerate for the metabolic issue, and that's it. Haven't seen him in a while either. I see the dentist about once every 3 years. I don't even think about it! Everything buzzes around here at 90 miles per hr. and by the time I juggle everyone else's needs, that last thing I want is to add a bunch of appointments for me. I am the exact opposite of my mother who goes to the doctor for every twinge, every flutter, every bruise, every sneeze, every.....she's there so often for an otherwise fairly healthy person, that it just astounds me. Of course, she has the kind of doctor that "if you come, I will prescribe for you" and is on so many meds it makes my head swim. As a results, she's constantly having drug reaction of some kind. So, I think this has affected me in some way and my attitude is quite bad! "Hey doc, if I'm bleeding from my eyeballs, severe a limb, or barf up a lung...I'll let you know!" :lol: Drives my dd crazy since she thinks I'm a little toooooo extreme. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I do both each year. I go to my GYN (the Dr. is female) for a pap. She also orders my mammo. I go to my GP (the Dr. is male and has known me forever) for my bloodwork, EKG, etc. He saw my whole family while I was growing up. He still sees my dad and now my DH. The boys go to a Pediatrician. I have Anthem BCBS. I pay the co-pay for both Drs. visits and minimal $$$ for the tests they run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarreymere Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) I can't stand the gyn exams. For years the only way to get one in my area was to drive farther away or see the male gyn who was senior in that practice (unless you were pregnant) so I just didn't bother. Finally at age 46 I had my first and only mammogram and a pap. I have high blood pressure and I see my family doctor a few times a year on that. He never does bloodwork or anything else though, just checks my blood pressure. It's often bad, even though he keeps readjusting my medication. My last ekg was about five years ago. I did have my cholesterol checked about ten years ago when I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure and my cholesterol was low. He hasn't suggested re-checking it. My mom died what they call a 'sudden cardiac death' at age 52 and I'm going on 48. She was an inpatient for a week on a telemetry unit and died withing two weeks of discharge. They said there was nothing wrong with her other than high blood pressure which she was being treated for already. :glare: Not sure what really happened, but anyway I've told Dh to cremate me. It seems like medical science isn't really up on heart disease in women and since women don't fit the 'usual' as far as they are concerned they just dismiss us. Yes, I have chest pain, have had them for years. I'm told they aren't the 'right kind' since I'm not dead yet. Then they decided I must have anxiety though I've never felt anxious, and have given me buspar for that. I guess it made them feel better. I feel the same as I did before, annoyed. Edited June 20, 2012 by Rainefox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I have an FP who handles everything but the pysch stuff although he will jump in to help out with that if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I used to do both each year, way back before having children. I'd just get the pap smear at the gyn, and then I'd go to my primary care physician (internal medicine) for a physical with bloodwork. I spent the last decade having babies, so I stopped going to a "regular doctor" for checkups and just went to the ob/gyn/midwife. My youngest is 19 months, and we aren't planning on having anymore. I went to the gyn in January for my yearly checkup, but all they did was the pap smear. I had some bloodwork about 18 months ago for life insurance, and everything looked okay on that, but I do want to have my thyroid checked due to fatigue and family history. Should I have asked the gyn to run bloodwork? Or do I schedule an appointment with the family practice doctor to do that? Will insurance pay for both each year? I asked my insurance (Blue Cross) about this, and got a confusing answer. I've read through the contract a bunch of times, and can't figure out if it's really covered or not. With our plan, we get one well-visit per year, but I can't decipher whether well-woman care is considered separate or not. I know my Mom always does both each year, and like I said, I used to, but that was with insurance that just had a co-pay for the visit, so it wasn't a big deal. With my current insurance, the well visit is free, but I have to pay for other visits until the deductible is met. Just wondering what is "normal" in this department. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to ask the gyn to do more tests, since they really aren't considered a primary care physician (plus they had signs up all over the place saying that if you had any complaints, they couldn't consider it a well visit and the insurance wouldn't pay for it. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since I know doctors find stuff wrong with people all the time during "well visits". Isn't that what they are for? To find any problems?). I'm not going to ask the family doctor to do the pap smear; I want to continue having that done at the gyn. So, I don't see all this as really being combinable, meaning, I think the insurance should pay for two well visits per year. I might end up calling them sometime; the email correspondance didn't help. My normal is that I go when I need to go. I've very attuned to my body and if something is wrong, I go in. Otherwise I don't. I'm now starting to get harassing mailings from my spouse's health insurance company, chastising me, "Did you FORGET SOMETHING? You haven't been to the doctor. You get free screenings for blah blah". Bite me.:tongue_smilie: I also see alternative practicioners on as as-needed basis, so they have no idea what I'm actually doing. NONE of their business, and I'm quite healthy, thanks. I do have a family doctor for whom I'm second generation and who no longer hassles me about this. He's seen the light. I will see him if I need to see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 No. I only go during emergencies or pregnancies. Since I have had several of both then, I guess it averages out to regularly.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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