[quote=flyer]As far as MD’s in San Diego go, I have heard many of the healthcare systems here are expanding and recruiting more physicians.
We’ve always tried to choose from the “bests” lists (US News and World Report, etc.) in whatever category we require treatment, and most of those seem to be at Scripps and UCSD here–some are older–others younger, but, they all have great credentials.
Overall, we prefer the Scripps system, but wouldn’t hesitate to see physicians at other facilities around the state or even in other states, if necessary.[/quote]
After watching many relatives in other states over the years suffer from lack of good medical care (even if they could afford it), lack of coordination among their local physicians for a condition such as cancer, and lack of choice as to leaving a local network, I agree that having the best physician available in a particular locale for a particular specialty is worth paying for. As is being able to choose to be worked up at one of the country’s top cancer centers if the need arises.
My BSoC plan from Covered CA has a narrower network than what I was used to from having an Aetna Advantage Plan for almost 9 years, but it does include Scripps and Mercy here in SD (but not Sharp or UCSD). It also includes major hospitals in other CA regions and many thousands of physicians on the nationwide BCBS network, which will prove very helpful to me should I need medical care while traveling … even non-emergency care.
Yes, I have visited many patients at Mercy and from my experience, their care was very good as the nurses there seem to be very attentive. Most of the best physicians in SD also have privileges there.
It’s entirely possible that medical groups all over the nation are currently expanding due to the now burgeoning (and continually growing) group of “baby boomers.” We are unlike our predecessor generations in many ways because a large portion of us have never smoked and have kept fit and demanded (and received) regular medical and dental care throughout our adult lives. We boomers have also had access to sophisticated scans and tests during most of our adult lives. Many in my parents and grandparents generations weren’t near as fortunate … especially when they were young adults and at the age of raising a family.
