Follow-up doctor appointments?

[jeromedawg]

Hey guys,

I had my first appointment with my cardiologist earlier in the year. I had some concerns with chest pain at the time and wanted to rule out something else besides costochondritis, which is what I had previously experienced several years ago too. They did an EKG and then scheduled a stress-echo along with labs.  I had the stress-echo test done a couple months after and it was clear. I still need to do a couple labs though, which I intend to do in the next couple weeks.

After the stress-echo, the doctor or nurse said I needed to schedule a follow-up appointment. I didn't think about it much and went ahead and booked something but now I'm wondering what it is exactly they want to see me for in person.
Are they likely going to do more checks on me that require me to physically be present (like another EKG, etc)?

If not, and if it's just informational and to recap the results of the stress-echo and go over labs, is there any reason why we couldn't just do a phone call or him send me a brief summary via email/messaging instead?

 

[Scandium]

Hey guys,

I had my first appointment with my cardiologist earlier in the year. I had some concerns with chest pain at the time and wanted to rule out something else besides costochondritis, which is what I had previously experienced several years ago too. They did an EKG and then scheduled a stress-echo along with labs.  I had the stress-echo test done a couple months after and it was clear. I still need to do a couple labs though, which I intend to do in the next couple weeks.

After the stress-echo, the doctor or nurse said I needed to schedule a follow-up appointment. I didn't think about it much and went ahead and booked something but now I'm wondering what it is exactly they want to see me for in person.
Are they likely going to do more checks on me that require me to physically be present (like another EKG, etc)?
If not, and if it's just informational and to recap the results of the stress-echo and go over labs, is there any reason why we couldn't just do a phone call or him send me a brief summary via email/messaging instead?

My guess is they plan to perform a "wallet extraction" procedure, to remove excess cash from your body. The doctor is suffering from "small yacht syndrome" so need a cash transplant to remedy this, it's the only know cure.

[geekette]

If I don't see the need for the follow up appointment, I just cancel it a week or so in advance.  If I still have symptoms or questions, I keep the appointment.

[jeromedawg]

Hey guys,

I had my first appointment with my cardiologist earlier in the year. I had some concerns with chest pain at the time and wanted to rule out something else besides costochondritis, which is what I had previously experienced several years ago too. They did an EKG and then scheduled a stress-echo along with labs.  I had the stress-echo test done a couple months after and it was clear. I still need to do a couple labs though, which I intend to do in the next couple weeks.

After the stress-echo, the doctor or nurse said I needed to schedule a follow-up appointment. I didn't think about it much and went ahead and booked something but now I'm wondering what it is exactly they want to see me for in person.
Are they likely going to do more checks on me that require me to physically be present (like another EKG, etc)?
If not, and if it's just informational and to recap the results of the stress-echo and go over labs, is there any reason why we couldn't just do a phone call or him send me a brief summary via email/messaging instead?

My guess is they plan to perform a "wallet extraction" procedure, to remove excess cash from your body. The doctor is suffering from "small yacht syndrome" so need a cash transfer to remedy this, it's the only know cure.

I was so close to googling "wallet extraction" :D

[jeromedawg]

If I don't see the need for the follow up appointment, I just cancel it a week or so in advance.  If I still have symptoms or questions, I keep the appointment.

Good to know... I may just do this. My PCP doesn't ask me to come in after I do labs - if anything, he just tells me what I probably already know via messaging if the numbers don't look great.

[Dreamer40]

Before canceling your appointment, ask the medical office—not the internet—what they plan to do and why it would be beneficial. Medical offices are usually plenty busy and not scheduling unnecessary appointments just for fun. Don’t take the advice of a random non-doctor on the internet to cancel your appointment. Sheesh. Come on people.

[Josiecat22222]

retired MD here-

Follow up appointments are often to review the results of studies and assess to see if your symptoms have improved.  If they haven't, you may need to undergo higher order testing.  The first appointment is usually to take a thorough history, do a physical exam and then order the broadest based and usually cheapest tests.  If that doesn't find anything, and the symptoms persist a move invasive and/or expensive test may be required (think angiogram or MRA).  If you don't go to the followup appointment, you may not get the benefit of the diagnostic acumen or undergo the necessary tests.

Followup appointment make the MD almost NO money.  They are billed as a 99232 or 99233 which is miniscule for reimbursement.  the "wallet biopsy" is far more likely to be uneccessary procedures or expensive tests-- and those fees usually go to the facility, not the MD.

Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Josie

[jeromedawg]

Before canceling your appointment, ask the medical office—not the internet—what they plan to do and why it would be beneficial. Medical offices are usually plenty busy and not scheduling unnecessary appointments just for fun. Don’t take the advice of a random non-doctor on the internet to cancel your appointment. Sheesh. Come on people.

Yes, this is what I am doing.

retired MD here-

Follow up appointments are often to review the results of studies and assess to see if your symptoms have improved.  If they haven't, you may need to undergo higher order testing.  The first appointment is usually to take a thorough history, do a physical exam and then order the broadest based and usually cheapest tests.  If that doesn't find anything, and the symptoms persist a move invasive and/or expensive test may be required (think angiogram or MRA).  If you don't go to the followup appointment, you may not get the benefit of the diagnostic acumen or undergo the necessary tests.

Followup appointment make the MD almost NO money.  They are billed as a 99232 or 99233 which is miniscule for reimbursement.  the "wallet biopsy" is far more likely to be uneccessary procedures or expensive tests-- and those fees usually go to the facility, not the MD.

Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Josie

Thanks for the details!! First visit was the history, family history/incidents, blood pressure, and an EKG (actually before this appointment, I also did an EKG at my PCP and that was clear so he referred me to the cardiologist). In this same appointment, he ordered the stress echo, lab work, and a calcium score test. I've done the stress echo test and that came back clear as well (doctor was there to briefly go over it). Labs I'm planning to do today and the calcium score next week (this one the cardiologist was saying is kind of 'optional' and I don't really have to do it if I don't want to but it's there just in case...)

At this point, I'm just curious what exactly it is that I would need to be seen for if I'm not currently experiencing symptoms, specific pains or other issues.

I'm on a high deductible health plan so every non-preventative appointment is going to cost me out of pocket.

[Freedomin5]

Before canceling your appointment, ask the medical office—not the internet—what they plan to do and why it would be beneficial. Medical offices are usually plenty busy and not scheduling unnecessary appointments just for fun. Don’t take the advice of a random non-doctor on the internet to cancel your appointment. Sheesh. Come on people.

+1. Ask your doctor/medical office, not random internet strangers.

[jeromedawg]

Before canceling your appointment, ask the medical office—not the internet—what they plan to do and why it would be beneficial. Medical offices are usually plenty busy and not scheduling unnecessary appointments just for fun. Don’t take the advice of a random non-doctor on the internet to cancel your appointment. Sheesh. Come on people.

+1. Ask your doctor/medical office, not random internet strangers.

I have the option to do virtual or in person but they were very obviously pushing me towards doing in person. I was mostly wondering what, if any, benefit there is having an in person follow-up specifically vs not at all or virtual/phone.

I guess I should have prefaced this "calling on all doctors and those in the medical field" lol

I'm leaning towards just doing virtual. The medical assistant made it sound like in person would be so much better and the doc would spend more time going over film and answering questions... I'm not so sure about that...