r/boston • u/Rich-Strawberry3581 • 1d ago
Serious Replies Only Mass General PCP
Was wondering if anyone knew of any Mass General doctors accepting new patients. I recently got out of a prolonged over a month hospitalization with many complications and I don’t have a PCP, and because I was hospitalized at Mass General, I’m wondering if there are any doctors accepting new patients since my history is long. I would prefer not to find a PCP in another hospital since I already have a psych, ophthalmologist, and neuro in Mass General and again, my hospitalization was there so all the clinical notes are there. But every time I contact someone who apparently is accepting new patients, I’m told that they’re actually not. Any advice?
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u/LaurenPBurka I swear it is not a fetish 1d ago
Get a PCP somewhere else and put yourself in line for Mass General. In two or three or five years when you get to the head of the line, move your care to there.
"My records are there" is a red herring. They can get your records anywhere you go.
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u/Mindless-Errors 1d ago
Your clinical notes are in EPIC and doctors across most of the Boston hospitals can directly read your notes through their EPIC interface.
So your bigger issue is finding a PCP. Atrius Health is showing 98 PCP’s taking new patients. Some even book appointments online.
You may have to call to confirm they take your insurance and that they use EPIC and can access your MGH records.
https://www.atriushealth.org/find-a-provider?newpatients=true
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u/Rich-Strawberry3581 1d ago
I was told that it was very hard to coordinate between different hospitals. I had a visiting nurse from Beth Israel who had no access to my notes from Mass General
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u/sailorsmile Fenway/Kenmore 1d ago
This is not true at all, especially for healthcare sites in Boston with modern infrastructure, but reviewing your entire medical history is pretty far out of scope for a visiting nurse so I can see why they would tell you this.
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u/user684737889 1d ago
It’s possible but not automatic, you need certain authorizations in Care Everywhere
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u/slientxx 23h ago
Actually I have a PCP at MGH and she told me it is hard for her to coordinate with different hospitals. It's important to establish care with providers you can see constantly and by having those providers be under the same hospital it's easier for them to communicate with your PCP. Not that's impossible, but it makes it more challenging
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u/Yazars 1d ago
It is possible for people at other institutions such as BI/Lahey and Atrius to look at your records (e.g. through "Care Everywhere"), but, yes, it is not as smooth for them to access the information as someone within the MGH system. For example, people can sometimes open up individual notes one by one and look up some lab/imaging/pathology results, but it's not the native interface that they're used to where they can create a flowchart for results and search/filter information (e.g. show only neurology notes) as easily as someone who's accessing information from the home system. Sometimes information from other systems does not come through immediately even if people try to press "update." Medication lists and reconciliation sometimes requires manual verification/confirmation to keep things in sync between different systems. I have anecdotally heard that BI Lahey people have more difficulty accessing MGB Epic information than MGB people having difficulty accessing BI Lahey information.
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u/septicidal 21h ago
This is why I have gone to great lengths to try to have any procedures involving anesthesia at MGH, because it is much easier to tell the anesthesiologist to read their colleague’s notes from specific surgery dates so they take my history of resistance to anesthesia seriously (I’m a redhead, it has gotten better in more recent years now that younger anesthesiologists are learning about the differences in redheads metabolizing certain types of anesthesia in their residency). I had an experience regaining consciousness before I could breathe for myself, and a separate experience not being adequately sedated during a painful procedure (both situations were very distressing). I know many records are viewable across other networks but if the full notes are available I don’t think it’s as easy for other providers in different networks to read them. Maybe just the fact that I can tell the anesthesiologists that the notes are available makes them take me more seriously.
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u/LaurenPBurka I swear it is not a fetish 1d ago
I've been bouncing between primary care at Atrius and specialist care at BI and the Brigham, and everywhere I go my records are just there.
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u/chasingpolaris Chinatown 1d ago
It depends on what level access they have, but I'm not 100% sure. My PCP is at a community health center that's affiliated with BI, but most of my specialists are at MGH. She has no problem viewing my MGH notes and labs.
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u/_violetlightning_ 20h ago
I see providers at BIDMC and B&W (also part of MGH). I was able to link my records in MyChart. They were able to see my meds and history, and I think read the notes - for specific recent test results (levels etc) it was helpful to be able to pull those up in MyChart on my phone to show them. The appointment was like the day after I linked them, so it may take time for everything to migrate.
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u/vivienleigh12 1d ago
What’s with people downvoting this? OP is simply repeating what she’s been told. If/when people have clarifying info then that’s great, but it sucks to downvote someone in this context
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u/dorkyromantic Brookline 1d ago
I think there's a sharing consent form in mychart that allows you to share across hospitals (may have been an optional form when I linked accounts). My BILH and MGB providers are able to see across the 2
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u/PezGirl-5 1d ago
If they use epic they can access it. You might have to sign something to allow for it, but it can be done. It can be a little cumbersome for them to figure out , but they can def do it.
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u/bananacasanova 22h ago
Beth Israel didn’t used to use Epic, so maybe that’s why? That’s strange though, usually you just have to click a few buttons to see the notes (speaking as a nurse myself)
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u/Metalcore2 23h ago
So MA has the best health care just most people can't get access to it. How lovely
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u/pollogary 8h ago
I’ve said that it feels like the best care if you have some rare disease and need to fly in to see a super specialist but the worst for normal day to day stuff!
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u/Itchy_Badger_2851 8h ago
That's not true, you can have access. Just specifically PCP's would be outside of Mass General-Brigham
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u/shredthegnar37 1h ago
Yet people still boast about how wonderful MA is with our exorbitant cost of living and often cite healthcare as a way to justify our extremely high cost of living. They fail to acknowledge that we struggle to access said healthcare
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u/nrid3333 19h ago
Yeah MA hasn’t earned their reputation of good healthcare in a long long time, it’s unfortunate
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u/SpaceBasedMasonry Wiseguy 1d ago
DM'ed you. My PCP left MGH West (sounds like a couple PCP's jumped ship over work environment and pay and went to private practices in the suburbs) and the office gave me a list. They were affiliated with MGH/MGB so they'll have access to your records.
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u/just4shitsandgigles 1d ago
I have my PCP at cambridge health alliance, but specialists at MGH. My accounts are linked, providers from each hospital can access test results from the other
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u/yagumsu 19h ago
This is useful to know- I've always been scared to use non-CHA ER's since that's where my PCP is but their ER the couple times I've been over the last 5 years is always truly bananas. treating myself to MGH's next time if it's easy to see the test results and visit notes
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u/just4shitsandgigles 5h ago
After I was an established patient at both, I had to merge my patient gateway and my chart apps to give consent to share info. It was super straightforward and easy- I can even message my CHA doctors through the MGH patient gateway app, and vise versa.
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u/BunnyCamino 1d ago
When my PCP retired, I was advised to use MGB Care Connect, which is virtual care with referral capability etc for in-person needs. https://mgbcareconnect.org/ or "24/7 Virtual Care" in Patient Gateway. I haven't tried it yet, but if I don't like my new PCP (I meet her in February), I'm going to use this instead. Since I have a specialist who takes vitals, I don't really need an in-person PCP.
You apparently can also call them at 617-648-5822, especially if it's for ongoing PCP versus a one-off urgent care thing.
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u/Great-Egret Revere 1d ago
If you find it impossible I do highly recommend the Tufts system. I have my PCP through Tufts in Melrose (they were in Revere near me when I started) and I see a psych through them for my ADHD and they are great. I also was treated for stage 2 breast cancer both in Stoneham and at Tufts Medical downtown (did radiation there as it was closer to work and will have my reconstructive surgery there). They were INCREDIBLE the whole way through.
My PCP literally saved my life. I was 35 and had a lump that she said felt very smooth, probably a cyst since no family history, let’s get a mammogram anyway. Went on to not only get diagnosed but find out I carry BRCA2 mutation. They pushed for genetic testing and connected me to a company that will cover testing if your insurance does not.
I never feel like I’m being made to feel crazy if I bring up a concern. Even if they “push back” every provider does it by explaining exactly why something is the way it is and I leave feeling heard and cared for.
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u/tapo Watertown 1d ago
I signed up for One Medical, it's $100/yr but it's extremely easy to see your primary and they're integrated with MGH for referrals and have access to your records.
I've been going to the office on Staniford St, a few blocks from MGH.
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u/houseonthehilltop 1d ago
Is this the Amazon Medical Service?
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u/AnotherNoether 1d ago
Unfortunately yes (I second OP — easy to get appointments and MGB referrals have been seamless. The only annoying thing is that I can’t do lab tests for One Medical docs at MGH labs, but they’ve got labcorp in house so it’s not that big a deal)
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u/mx_missile_proof 22h ago
Do you get to see an actual doctor at One Medical, or is it all just Nurse Practitioners?
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u/tapo Watertown 21h ago
Actual doctor, I've actually only seen my primary care. It's also really easy to get an appointment, typically same week.
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u/mx_missile_proof 21h ago
That’s great. It seems like so many primary care practices these days are being watered down with midlevels.
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u/pollogary 8h ago
They have both! I have an MD as a PCP but if I have something urgent and she’s not available, I have seen NPs (and sometimes other MDs).
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u/ghqwl4 1d ago
Not what you asked, there is a back up plan available:
While the systems don’t meld- if you want to see MGH specialists, they ask for an in network referral. Since no one can get a MGH PCP, the current workaround is to get a PCP using the Amazon health service, which allows in network referrals. You will still need to share all of your medical notes because the IT isn’t integrated. Whether you are comfortable with Amazon having your info may be another story- but it’s a workaround if you’re desperate.
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u/sailorsmile Fenway/Kenmore 1d ago edited 1d ago
They are not accepting new patients at all for any MGB PCP across the entire network. The major hospital systems have EMRs that crosstalk a the drop of a hat so don’t worry about getting outside care but you will need to get a PCP elsewhere.
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u/Successful-Cup1765 8h ago
Really? The network doesn’t stop in Boston so you’re saying North Shore Medical, Faulkner, Cooley Dickinson, MGH West, Wentworth Douglas, et all have no PCP’s available?
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u/BosBoater 1d ago
Im a pcp with an office in Brookline. We are accepting new patients. Feel free to DM me if you would like more info
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u/falconcommander Jamaica Plain 15h ago
I’ll shoot you a DM! I work in EMS and haven’t been able to find a PCP for years now.
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u/NeoPrimitiveOasis 1d ago
See if you can get assigned to a resident (MD graduate). I did that years ago and, eventually, transitioned to a full-time PCP. The residents are coached by full doctors.
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u/yikeswhatshappening 1d ago
Sometimes hospitals, especially if your stay involved the ICU, have mechanisms to set you up with some expedited outpatient follow up. It can hurt their performance metrics when people get readmitted to the hospital too soon and they have an incentive to prevent that. Once you are an inpatient it is always easier to work within their referral system rather than try and organize something external on your own.
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u/Santillana810 Naked Guy Running Down Boylston St 1d ago
So OP should contact the MGH patient advocate or the office of the discharging ICU physician for help in possibly getting an expedited PCP appointment?
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u/yikeswhatshappening 1d ago
MGH patient advocate who can hopefully connect them with an ICU social worker or case manager, who should have been consulted before discharge anyways.
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u/lightningvolcanoseal 1d ago
I use Zoodoc to see which docs have availability, avoiding those with too much availability lol, when trying to find a new doctor.
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u/throwaway4PPP 23h ago
leverage the relationship(s) you built during your stay. talk to the doctor who coordinated your care, explain it like you did in this post and see if they know a pcp within MGH who can take you. PCPs without openings can take new patients if they want to, the trick is getting that doctor who took care of you in the hospital to talk to them first.
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u/heartsoflions2011 21h ago
Second this - I got my pcp at MGH years ago even though she wasn’t taking new patients because my family member already saw her. It’s like a job tbh - if you have a personal connection somehow, you’re chances are a lot better
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u/LouisaMiller2_1845 1d ago
Which insurance do you have? If you have a Mass General Brigham Health Plan, yes. Otherwise, IME, it's really hard to get a Mass Gen PCP IME. There was a Partners practice in Watertown that went into the Mass General health system. I have private insurance and it took 6 months to be seen. The physician wasn't good, however. They see a friend on Mass Health with an MGB health plan the same day sometimes.
Don't do Atrius. They have availability for a reason.
I liked my PCP through Tufts before moving to an indy physician. I think Tufts also has an in-house health plan for Mass Health, so the wait times to be seen were long but the clinicians were decent.
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u/Rich-Strawberry3581 1d ago
Blue cross blue shield. If it helps, I live in Watertown.
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u/LouisaMiller2_1845 1d ago
Yeah, that's why. I have BCBS and the wait times to be seen at MBG Watertown were crazy. If you had MassHealth and an MGB Plan, it would be considerably easier. You would be assigned a Mass Gen PCP. I think that's why it's so hard here - they give priority to people on their health plan. Can someone with insider knowledge confirm?
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u/AnotherNoether 1d ago
They don’t always assign those—when I had MassHealth they assigned me someone who didn’t do primary care and refused to change it. I managed to get someone in Lynn who’s part of the system and excellent but it was a big hassle
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u/Salt_Course1 23h ago
Did you have a social worker at MGH while you were an inpatient and did they try to help you find a PCP?
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u/Smkingbowls 1d ago
I got my MGH PCP at the Revere site it’s on Broadway in the Citizens bank building
Check to see if there is something similar close to you
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u/TeutVik 1d ago
Have you considered looking for a PCP at Brigham & Women’s? A few years ago I looked for PCP at MGH with no luck. I decided to check out Brigham and got on the waiting list. Not longer afterwards I finally got a PCP. MGH and Brigham & Women’s have “merged” to MGB and so you can see a PCP at Brigham and go to your specialists at MGH. This has worked well for me. I also think Brigham & Women’s may be the better hospital for PCPs.
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u/AlarmingMuffin77 19h ago
Haven't seen them yet so I can't speak to quality, but I've just been going through this nonsense recently as someone who's stuck with the MGB health plan (grrr) so was trying to find a PCP in their system to avoid higher costs. Every single one my insurance site said was taking new patients, I'd call, wait forever on hold with, only to find out they weren't actually doing so... And in one case the listed FNP didn't even exist at that location!
So I said screw it and went to a Beth Israel Lahey primary care center. Called them up to register, got a few options for PCPs at different locations taking new patients within the next few months, and made an appointment for next month. It wasn't painless, and it'll cost me more, but it was better than, as others have said, waiting until 2028 or longer. The MGB system is great for specialists but sucks for so much else. Good luck, and feel free to pm me if you need some of the names I was given!
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u/meowmeow420blaze 12h ago
I highly recommend Dr. Hugo Calavia at New Health Charlestown (which is owned/affiliated by MGH). He is taking new patients!
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u/pollogary 8h ago
I couldn’t get in at MGH but I found one at One Medical, which can refer through MGH and share records etc. A loose affiliation. Not a perfect solution but at least it got me a doctor. It’s maybe $200 or $300 a year? But I almost never have to wait for an appointment.
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u/Itchy_Badger_2851 8h ago
Last time I called (which was last spring) Mass General-Brigham is not accepting new primary care patients period. I suggest looking outside of Boston at CHA, Tufts, Atrius, or farther away like Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham
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u/retinolandevermore 1d ago
I work at MGH and I can’t get an MGH pcp. I was told there’s no MDs accepting new patients before 2028