New PCP recommendations?

[edmokeski.livejournal.com]

Hey all,

So, my insurance changed on January 1st, and I need to find a new PCP. I didn't think I'd need to think about this so soon, but I managed to fall down my stairs on NYE (sober, I swear!) and would like to see somebody about my banged-up ankle.

I'm really hoping to find a practice that also integrates mental health providers, as I've had a lot of trouble in the past finding such providers who will accept new patients who aren't affiliated with a PCP in their office. It looks like both Harvard Vanguard and the Merino Center fit the bill here. Any strong feelings on specific docs at these two places? Any suggestions on similar integrated practices?

FWIW, the new insurance is a BCBS PPO. Many thanks for any/all info!

Comments

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

The first time anyone ever gave me advice about PCP was to avoid it entirely.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Most of the docs at the Marino Center have pretty full practices, but I think it's a great place. Dr. Trapasso is relatively new there, so she may have space in her practice still, and she's great--I saw her when she was covering walk-in and she was a great help. Dr. Emsbo is my regular physician there, and I think she's fantastic; I've also seen Dr. McCaffrey and liked her a lot.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

A second for the Marino Center. Dr. Emsbo is my main physician, but I've also seen another there and everyone is pretty great. I had to make an emergency call myself on New Year's Day. Though they were closed for the holiday, their answering service (live people -- not an answering machine) forwarded me to a doctor on call and I had my questions answered right away.

I suspect anyone there would be good.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I see Dr. Hobbs at HV, and I really like her. I also like having my pharmacy, lab, etc. all in that building. Their Urgent Care facilities have also been helpful to me more than once in the past.

I haven't used their mental health facilities yet, but if you choose them, I'd be curious about your opinion.

Good luck!

[catbird.livejournal.com]

Little far away but, Union Square Family Health had done well for my husband and I. They have some in-house mental health services but it can be hard to get an appointment with them for evening hours.

[ron_newman]

I tagged this health care. Some old posts in that category may be helpful (or not).

[alphacygni]

Marino and the Davis Square HV both have their pros and cons, and many of them are a matter of personal preference. For instance, Marino's billing system is more rational and the bills are easier to read. That's a big deal to me.

HV has much more mental health in house than Marino does. Marino basically has a psychiatrist for medication management. I think there are one or two therapists who are there part time, but it isn't seamlessly integrated. At HV, there are lists of therapy groups to join, and a whole bunch of therapists.

I go to Marino for my PCP, but I've ended up getting therapists elsewhere.

[artemii.livejournal.com]

i guess i'm the lone vote against the Marino Center. as the worst example, the lab techs screwed up some of the labwork i had done there and i had to go back in to the lab to have another vial of blood drawn after already having left the clinic. from what i've heard, they've been in a period of transition since Marino (their main funder) died, with a lot of new hires and other changes. i don't know if that's why there were so many problems when i went there (a few different times last year) and if things have already settled down or will soon.