Another PCP question

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

So, my employer belongs to this out-of-state parent company with a HR department who often forgets about us. This year they switched to a more obscure insurance company (HealthPartners) and I'm having an annoying time finding a PCP -- seems that all the good folks (Harvard Vanguard, Marino Center) aren't part of this network.

Am wondering if anybody here has a itty-bitty "CIGNA" icon on their insurance cards (with a little tree) and can recommend a location and/or doctor.

Thank you!

Update: Called Harvard Vanguard, unfortunately HealthPartners isn't on the CIGNA hit list. The search continues...

Comments

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Harvard Vanguard takes most anything, and their website says they take CIGNA insurance (but with some restrictions). Are you sure they don't take you?

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Best way to verify this is to call Harvard Vanguard's main billing phone number; if you call a Harvard Vanguard office and have those folks check on it, surprise! they don't always know what insurance they take. But the billing number listed on the website is a good resource.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

Great to know. Thanks for the tip! I'll investigate.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

I started my search on HealthPartner's website and they've got nothing at Harvard Vanguard. But you're right - doesn't hurt to check with HV directly.
Thanks!

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Your best bet may be to call your insurer directly and ask for a list.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

I did and got a very, very, very long list. And it wasn't clear who/where takes HealthPartners -- Dr. A at location X might be listed, but if I check location X's website and find Dr.B, then go back to HealthPartners' list, Dr. B is nowhere on that list. Or it'd say Dr. C is taking new patients and I'd call location Y and find that Dr. C is no longer with them. (But that tends to happen with any insurance co's list, or at least in my experience.)

I was joking with a friend that by the time I find a PCP, I'm going to have to begin a search for a therapist.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Urgh. That happened to me even with a local insurer... I also got a lot of "yes, we take that insurance, but we aren't seeing any new patients."

[labellabonaroba.livejournal.com]

Lisa Carlson at Somerville Primary Care on Central Street is so amazing, and thorough. My husband and I both go to her and have been very happy at both the care we have received from her and from her staff. When she gives a referral, the office staff will make the appointment FOR YOU while you are there, and then take care of the insurance paperwork. Who does that anymore?

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation! She is on the list I have from the insurance co., will find out if she's accepting new patients.

[bucosmogirl.livejournal.com]

I have CIGNA and I was able to be seen at Davis Square family practice. I had a terrible cold and they saw me as a new patient that very day. 3 months later I had walking pneumonia and they took great care of me. Bonus, they are right in Davis Sq so I didn't have to drag my sick self that far.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

I used to go to DSFP and saw Dr. Carol Dansky -- really liked her, but she's no longer with that office. A few of my good friends saw Dr. Bershel and were not impressed -- apparently she went on and on about her personal health history during their visits. Also: just read a Yelp review that isn't so hot.
Thanks, though! Appreciate your input.