Yes I am definitely going to reach out to places outside of the "top 3". I wasn't really deadest, I just assumed they would actually have the most availability because they are the largest. Clearly that was a mistake.

As far as MGH I am waiting on them to evaluated my referral, and once that has happened they will be able to schedule me for an appointment. I am not sure how long it will take, and no one will call me about it either. It just sometime within now to 2 weeks out. Weird that its just so arbitrary and in the air?

No the PCP is located out in Amherst, MA and she did not send contacts with the referral. I was told to call around to hospitals nearby and then tell the patient care coordinator where to send the referral once I had figured out where I want to be seen.

First off, thanks for the level-headed and sincere response. I appreciate you.

Yes I have quickly realized how defensive people are, and its certainly strange. I understand having pride in Boston, but if you aren't open to criticism, critique, or helping those struggling with the systems that are vital to Boston then how will it continue to improve in the future?

Anyways, I am definitely going to reach out to more places and realize my mistake with reaching out to the "top 3" in the Boston area. Truly it wasn't because I think I am superior or should skip the line, that's just how I did it back in the Bay Area. Want to see a specialist? Call UCSF or Stanford and they will get you into a doctor in something like 2-4 weeks.

Thanks again for the response and all the best!

Hi there! Yes I see everyone says they are the best in the nation, but I think it depends on your definition of best. Best at providing timely care? Best at providing efficient care? Best at providing safe and skilled care? Best at prompt and timely follow up with patients?

I use USNEWS for my rankings and I won't quote their rankings, but we can lookup all the hospitals in the nation and every category of healthcare. My definition of best would be #1 in that category. "If you ain't first, your last". *Shrug*

Anyways... Yes I am waiting on Mass general. Unfortunately they won't let me book until they are properly evaluated my referral and it is sent to the correct department. Which takes up to 2 weeks. In that time frame, who knows how far they will book out? Maybe they'll quote me January/February by then.

Yes totally misquoted the numbers and I've updated the post with 5million Boston metro area!

I agree 100%. I learned that lesson and won't make it again. I just think that beyond establishing the PCP, seeing a specialist seems to still be an unreasonable wait time. People don't pre-emptively see specialists, its usually in response to something happening.

ACL Tear? Orthopedics.

Eye issue? Ophthalmology.

Migraine? Neurology.

But when the wait times are 3-6 months, how do you deal with that? You just live with a torn ACL until they can get you into an appointment and surgery?

Seems nuts to me.

No problem I understand you can't give medical advice, but nonetheless your response is encouraging. Thanks for taking the time to write and hope you have a long healthy future!

Perfect some factual info! I've updated the post to include the 5million figure as I was just quoting Boston proper which is incorrect. Thanks!

Mass general was only one of the 3 hospitals I called. Are Brigham and Women's and Beth Israel also Carbone? How about Tufts, Boston Medical, Cambridge? If they are all Carbone then where the hell do you go?

My intent was to get advice on HOW to navigate the healthcare system and get medical help that isn't just going to Urgent care or ER.

Great I appreciate this response. I was planning to call Tufts tomorrow so maybe they have some more reasonable timeframes. Thank you very much!

I thought it was Covid-20 now?

Crazy. Some of the people here are so entitled and prideful about the Boston healthcare system that they are blinded by the inherent flaws present. I am also on a PPO plan, but it requires nothing - referrals, pre-authorization, etc.

I hope you are able to solve everything in the near future and happy to hear you have an appointment for the future. Wishing all the best!

The first person to actually give a crap about my current condition. A huge thank you and I really appreciate your response. I do understand that these hospitals are world renowned and prestigious for the care they provide. I plan on calling some other places tomorrow like Tufts, Boston Medical, and Cambridge Health.

I am currently stable and okay. I am a little worried about going to weightlift since the episode happened about 30 minutes after I got back to our apartment. Seems weird to go to urgent care or ER, but my worry is still there about what if something this severe happens again before an appointment date.

Maybe I should just go to urgent care or ER? Do they have the capability to do CT and MRI scans?

I have never experienced a timeframe so absurd and based on the metro population these hospitals have to serve I don't understand how it can be 3-6months. Then again this doesn't account for people flooding to these hospitals because they are "premier", which is what you seem to be insinuating. Better to just be straight forward.

Do you have a non-highly subjective opinion on why the best hospital system in the world books out 3-6 months? Seems to be counter intuitive to book out half a year if its the best. No?

Glad the title got you to read the post though, that was the intent.

Edit: Since the whole shitting on California hospitals post is getting a lot of traction, I’ll leave this link here for educational purposes. Might want to look up facts before saying nonsense.

https://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-honor-roll-and-overview

People definitely do go to California for medical, but this post wasn't meant to be a Boston vs CA post. I know people are sensitive about this and it was not my intention at all. This has been MY EXPERIENCE with healthcare, and Boston has not been great to me so far.

I have gone to Mass General Brigham urgent care for flu symptoms and it was fine. , You're telling me they have the capacity to deal with serious neurological issues? X-ray, CT, MRI?

The people above seem to believe you can just call and get an appointment same day, but I have been having the exact same experience as you. These seem like two completely different worlds. What am I missing here?

How do I create a relationship with a PCP if I can't get a PCP?

How? What does learn to navigate it mean? I have been calling everywhere and not gotten anywhere. This seems like a gatekeeping response and isn't helpful at all.