Finding a New Cardiologist is Difficult

Last year, I moved from Florida to Wisconsin. It was to pursue a new degree and to make a career shift. So far, I've enjoyed my experience in a new state and learning so many new things.

However, one annoying thing that I have come across is how difficult it is to find a new cardiologist. There are so many steps involved, both logistically and emotionally, that can complicate finding a new healthcare team.

Dealing with changes in insurance coverage

Logistically speaking, the first problem I encountered was switching insurances. With a new job, you usually have to switch insurance, and each company and carrier has its own providers, deductibles, in-network and out-of-network specialists, rules on when and how you can see a specialist, etc.

With my current insurance, I have to get a referral from my primary care doctor to a cardiologist, whereas with my previous insurance, I could just go to a specialist that was in my network. This means that it has taken a bit longer to find a cardiologist that is in network with my insurance.

New limits on who I can see and when

Even if a doctor is in network, another problem arises: sometimes, there are no available appointments for 3 or 4 months. When I could choose whichever cardiologist I wanted, I had more flexibility and therefore a reduction in wait time to get seen. Because my new insurance is contracted out to a particular provider, I have to generally stay within their network to avoid receiving exorbitant bills, and this significantly reduces the providers I have available to see. This is incredibly frustrating, and something most people who have moved have probably experienced.

Trouble accessing medication and refills

Further, this complicated process of insurance interrupts continuity of care, something that is especially important when you need specialty care. If you're on medications to treat a heart condition (like I now am), not being able to get in with a specialist quickly can jeopardize your access to important medications.

I have experienced this firsthand in not being able to see a cardiologist in Wisconsin until just recently, even though I moved here in August of 2023.

Other issues with access to care

One other major issue that can occur when you don't have readily available access to a cardiologist is that you might end up in a situation where you are stuck with a cardiologist who you might not like or who does not understand the complexity of your health situation.

It's an unfortunate reality that the medical world can be hostile to marginalized individuals, where women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and other marginalized groups often experience discrimination and/or a lack of quality care. This becomes compounded when there are only a small number of cardiologists available, and even more compounded if you live in a rural area.

Working toward a more equitable system

I belabor on this recent change in my insurance because it's an important reminder of how different people experience the world around us. Especially for those of us with chronic illnesses, we experience the world incredibly differently than those without chronic illnesses/diseases. It's important to hear these stories so that we can work toward creating a more equitable insurance system that is actually helpful instead of increasingly cumbersome.