SAN ANTONIO — Long waits, confusing bills and feeling rushed in the office. Those are just a few of the beefs American's have with the healthcare system. But shopping around could solve your problems.
A recent survey by MDVIP/Ipsos found nearly a third of adults report waiting three months or more for a doctor's appointment, and half of all Americans say they are burned out and say the healthcare system makes it hard to stay healthy.
"And then the waiting doesn't stop. I think, as many people know, when you get to the office, I've heard doctor's visits compared to the experience at Disneyworld, a two hour wait for a three minute ride," said Dr. Alan Reisinger, the Medical Director of MDVIP.
Another 10 percent said they've waited so long they just leave the office before even seeing a doctor.
"That just adds to the frustration. It winds up making making diagnoses delayed or missed altogether," said Dr. Reisinger.
A survey by MDVIP and Ipsos says 61 percent of Americans say the healthcare system is a "hassle." One out of every three people have skipped or delayed treatment because of a negative experience or lack of a timely appointment. 51 percent have received care from an urgent care center or retail clinic within the last five years. And 62 percent says healthcare bills are unclear and difficult to understand.
For those with chronic conditions having to wait may be the difference between life and death.
"They're not having their medical issues followed appropriately with labs and exams, and they're having worsening of a health condition and a health condition, or they're having diagnoses that are being missed or delayed," said Dr. Reisinger.
So what do you do if you aren't satisfied with the care you are getting?
"You should look around. You should make sure that you have a primary care doctor to help you navigate through the system," said Dr. Reisinger.