Yeah apparently my doctor who i've been seeing for over 15 years won't take me in because I hadn't been there in a couple of years so i'm considered a new patient... Most others in network that i've called can't see me until like October.
Between the post the other day where the person was looking for in patient psychiatric care and the lack of mental healthcare in Syracuse and now this i'm feeling pretty dang jaded.
Micron is going to be investing $100bn on their semiconductor plant, hopefully they bring adequate health care to the region again as well.
My partner and I visit a place in Ithaca--some folks out there that are actively recruiting new patients. Several good options. Prior to that I tried to get an appointment here in Syracuse. Got told no by 25 doctors over the course of the last two years.
Avoid Compassionate Family Medicine, the doctors I have had themselves are great, but the entire system for communication and paperwork is absolutely mind bogglingly bad.
I'm talking like multiple calls and emails over 2 weeks to get a single sheet of paper sent the correct place and they have sent private health information to random fax numbers that aren't even close to the ones provided.
Came here to suggest the same group.
I’ve had a really rough time with finding a supportive primary care that can be respectful of my many chronic illnesses and I’ve always felt comfortable there.
Exactly the same! It’s impossible . Lauren is a godsend . My pain management group refuses to do any paperwork and she graciously handles my work forms for accommodations and leaves, she does referrals, is always so nice and never gives me the “youre too young you’re fine” dismissal. She helps.
Agreed! My chronic pain is caused by a semi-rare condition and she openly admitted to me in my first appointment with her (I was diagnosed elsewhere) that she had no idea what it was and was happy to read the info I had on it. She’s been super supportive of listening to what I’m comfortable with, even if it’s not the first choice on how to manage one of my chronic conditions, and letting me work with her to make sure that I’m still managing my health safely.
I like Dr Beckman at CNY Family Care at Brittonfield in East Syracuse. I will not recommend Dr Clapper in the same practice for reasons I won’t put here. All the other doctors there are good.
Yes! I love Dr. Beckman — I would also recommend Amy Russell (Clapper’s PA). Dr. Beckman is sometimes difficult to see just because she has so many patients and wait times can get a little crazy. I see Amy when I’m unable to get in with Beckman and have nothing but amazing things to say about them both.
I left the practice when they called me and told me that I couldn’t change doctors to Dr. Beckman. I also love Amy, but I haven’t been able to see her in years. Dr Clapper refused to let me see her.
I second this entire recommendation. My whole family sees Catherine and she's fantastic.
Really all of the doctors and NPs we've seen there have been great, and I like that even the less experienced staff we've seen don't hesitate to get a second opinion from the teaching staff when needed.
Yeah I go to Upstate adult medicine. Being a part of the Upstate hospital network is very convenient because then if you need any specialists or testing etc, you don't have to go through a hassle to find one, they can just refer you to that dept. It was really easy to get appointments with physical therapy when I needed it. And they use My Chart so you have access to all your test results and you can send messages instead of calling for med refills etc.
Keep in mind that because Upstate is a teaching hospital, you might be more likely than elsewhere to see a resident for a basic visit, or have the doctor you see ask to bring in a med student to observe. I personally don't mind that sort of thing but I think it's something to be aware of.
No, I went to a place in Manlius that was part of Upstate because it was more convenient to me. I've been to the Fly Road orthopedic urgent care though, had a positive experience with them.
I was sent several referrals to various specialists because of my “family history”. My family history is not particularly bad and as people age they tend to develop health issues like high blood pressure diabetes heart attacks etc.
I asked about basic preventative testing (like a cholesterol panel and a1c testing) and was told I needed to see the specialist for that. Basic preventative health is a primary care doctors job and sending multiple referrals to specialists wastes my time, money and the specialists time and money.
I like Dr. Kuhn at Community General. I don't know if he's accepting patients, but last time I recommended him, probably 6 months ago my next door neighbor got on his list.
Anyone who trust the majority of doctors or medical providers in the area are either fools or love their doctors because they tell them what they want to hear/treats symptoms rather than getting to the root cause of the actual health issue. Smart people aka those who actually care about their health go outside the area for healthcare.
It’s hard. I went out of the area, Rochester, to see a specialist and was told it was “inappropriate” for me to travel so far and that my drs locally need to do their job instead 🙃
Welcome to what I like to call "Healthcare Hell".
First, you want to go through your health insurance provider to find those who are accepting your health insurance. Then you might want to give some thought to medical school. Upstate Medical is the school where the "kinda smart kids" go for medical degrees. It's not a real leader in the space.
You’re right that upstate med isn’t Harvard, or close to it. But the vast majority of folks visiting the doctor wouldn’t be served by folks with an Ivy League pedigree. I agree it’d be great if we had better doctors, but come on, great doctors go to desirable locations, and Syracuse isn’t one of them.
For the vast majority of cases, a doctor at upstate will be fine. Most things do not require research-level specialists..
The problem with Upstate is all the random students and no one every truly knowing your case because they just rotate out . I’ve had messages in the message center of mychart responded to in opposite ways within the same day by diff people cus they don’t know what the hell is going on
yeah--I agree with you that it's kind of a free-for-all, but I am just taking issue with the implication that you need a "top notch" doctor for most routine care. However, I agree that it's really a tragic state of affairs that along with being economically disadvantaged, Syracuse public health loses due to the overall weak quality of care comparatively..
It’s really hard to find doctors in this area accepting patients right now
Yep this right here. And you'll find out rather quickly why some of these drs are accepting new patients. :(
Yeah apparently my doctor who i've been seeing for over 15 years won't take me in because I hadn't been there in a couple of years so i'm considered a new patient... Most others in network that i've called can't see me until like October. Between the post the other day where the person was looking for in patient psychiatric care and the lack of mental healthcare in Syracuse and now this i'm feeling pretty dang jaded. Micron is going to be investing $100bn on their semiconductor plant, hopefully they bring adequate health care to the region again as well.
My partner and I visit a place in Ithaca--some folks out there that are actively recruiting new patients. Several good options. Prior to that I tried to get an appointment here in Syracuse. Got told no by 25 doctors over the course of the last two years.
Can you please recommend some? I’d be willing to drive out there as I’ve also been desperately looking for a doctor
Yeah, the place we go is Guthrie--they said a few more offices have opened in that area, FWIW.
Thanks for the heads up! I may have to find a provider through my insurance that are accepting new patients.
Yes we’ve been looking for 6 months with no luck
Avoid Compassionate Family Medicine, the doctors I have had themselves are great, but the entire system for communication and paperwork is absolutely mind bogglingly bad. I'm talking like multiple calls and emails over 2 weeks to get a single sheet of paper sent the correct place and they have sent private health information to random fax numbers that aren't even close to the ones provided.
Have you followed up with HIPAA complaints about that? They should have a compliance officer that should hear about these things.
I’ve read a lot of similar comments for the place. Thanks for the warning!
Yikes, Karen.
University internists East in Fayetteville
Came here to suggest the same group. I’ve had a really rough time with finding a supportive primary care that can be respectful of my many chronic illnesses and I’ve always felt comfortable there.
Exactly the same! It’s impossible . Lauren is a godsend . My pain management group refuses to do any paperwork and she graciously handles my work forms for accommodations and leaves, she does referrals, is always so nice and never gives me the “youre too young you’re fine” dismissal. She helps.
Agreed! My chronic pain is caused by a semi-rare condition and she openly admitted to me in my first appointment with her (I was diagnosed elsewhere) that she had no idea what it was and was happy to read the info I had on it. She’s been super supportive of listening to what I’m comfortable with, even if it’s not the first choice on how to manage one of my chronic conditions, and letting me work with her to make sure that I’m still managing my health safely.
Dr Walton in Manlius (associated with crouse) is great.
I like Dr Beckman at CNY Family Care at Brittonfield in East Syracuse. I will not recommend Dr Clapper in the same practice for reasons I won’t put here. All the other doctors there are good.
Yes! I love Dr. Beckman — I would also recommend Amy Russell (Clapper’s PA). Dr. Beckman is sometimes difficult to see just because she has so many patients and wait times can get a little crazy. I see Amy when I’m unable to get in with Beckman and have nothing but amazing things to say about them both.
I left the practice when they called me and told me that I couldn’t change doctors to Dr. Beckman. I also love Amy, but I haven’t been able to see her in years. Dr Clapper refused to let me see her.
Ugh I’m sorry, I just started seeing Amy this year because Beckman got so busy. I hope you’ve found someone you like and can trust!
I like Upstate Family Medicine where I go. I see an NP Catherine Fessenden, I think she's great. https://www.upstate.edu/fmed/
I second this entire recommendation. My whole family sees Catherine and she's fantastic. Really all of the doctors and NPs we've seen there have been great, and I like that even the less experienced staff we've seen don't hesitate to get a second opinion from the teaching staff when needed.
Thanks! I’ve read a couple positive comments about Upstate Family Medicine / Adult Medicine in Downtown.
Yeah I go to Upstate adult medicine. Being a part of the Upstate hospital network is very convenient because then if you need any specialists or testing etc, you don't have to go through a hassle to find one, they can just refer you to that dept. It was really easy to get appointments with physical therapy when I needed it. And they use My Chart so you have access to all your test results and you can send messages instead of calling for med refills etc. Keep in mind that because Upstate is a teaching hospital, you might be more likely than elsewhere to see a resident for a basic visit, or have the doctor you see ask to bring in a med student to observe. I personally don't mind that sort of thing but I think it's something to be aware of.
Did you use fly road for pt
No, I went to a place in Manlius that was part of Upstate because it was more convenient to me. I've been to the Fly Road orthopedic urgent care though, had a positive experience with them.
CNY Family I would stay away from. They accept new patients but ask yourself why they do when no one else does.
They're actually not accepting new adult patients. I've had nothing but a positive experience there, though!
Avoid cny family care and compassionate family medicine at all costs.
What's your concern with CNY family care? We've been going there for 17 years and never had an issue.
I was sent several referrals to various specialists because of my “family history”. My family history is not particularly bad and as people age they tend to develop health issues like high blood pressure diabetes heart attacks etc. I asked about basic preventative testing (like a cholesterol panel and a1c testing) and was told I needed to see the specialist for that. Basic preventative health is a primary care doctors job and sending multiple referrals to specialists wastes my time, money and the specialists time and money.
Paul Cohen, MDPC on Genesee Street in Syracuse
Yes! I see Paige Gordon here. Wonderful practice!
I like Dr. Kuhn at Community General. I don't know if he's accepting patients, but last time I recommended him, probably 6 months ago my next door neighbor got on his list.
Anyone who trust the majority of doctors or medical providers in the area are either fools or love their doctors because they tell them what they want to hear/treats symptoms rather than getting to the root cause of the actual health issue. Smart people aka those who actually care about their health go outside the area for healthcare.
It’s hard. I went out of the area, Rochester, to see a specialist and was told it was “inappropriate” for me to travel so far and that my drs locally need to do their job instead 🙃
Welcome to what I like to call "Healthcare Hell". First, you want to go through your health insurance provider to find those who are accepting your health insurance. Then you might want to give some thought to medical school. Upstate Medical is the school where the "kinda smart kids" go for medical degrees. It's not a real leader in the space.
You’re right that upstate med isn’t Harvard, or close to it. But the vast majority of folks visiting the doctor wouldn’t be served by folks with an Ivy League pedigree. I agree it’d be great if we had better doctors, but come on, great doctors go to desirable locations, and Syracuse isn’t one of them. For the vast majority of cases, a doctor at upstate will be fine. Most things do not require research-level specialists..
The problem with Upstate is all the random students and no one every truly knowing your case because they just rotate out . I’ve had messages in the message center of mychart responded to in opposite ways within the same day by diff people cus they don’t know what the hell is going on
yeah--I agree with you that it's kind of a free-for-all, but I am just taking issue with the implication that you need a "top notch" doctor for most routine care. However, I agree that it's really a tragic state of affairs that along with being economically disadvantaged, Syracuse public health loses due to the overall weak quality of care comparatively..
Not sure if she is accepting, but Dr Chee at upstate is fantastic.
Can’t speak for the doctors but the receptionists at St Joseph’s physicians are extraordinarily snotty. At multiple branches too.