Primary Care Physician

[Birdman]

Can anyone suggest a primary care physician that won't boot me for being an MMJ patient?

They don't have to be pro-cannabis, I just don't want to be denied medical care after they find out I'm registered with MMMP.

I'm way down here in the SW (Berrien County) and don't mind driving a couple hours if I have to.

Cannabis is currently my only medicine and I hope to keep it that way. It's nice to have a primary care and I've been waiting for my Medicare to become active before I got one.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

[t-pain]

did your primary care doctor boot you?

 

if so, could you share your story?

maybe new patients could learn something from it.

how to keep it private from nosey doctors etc.

[Birdman]

did your primary care doctor boot you?

 

if so, could you share your story?

maybe new patients could learn something from it.

how to keep it private from nosey doctors etc.

 

LOL! No boot yet. My Medicare is just starting next month. The last primary I had was in another state without MMJ laws. I've heard other patients comment about primary care refusing to take new patients based on MMJ use.

[Birdman]

why do you feel the need to tell you primary care physician you have a mmmp card? just wondering.

 

I am open and honest with all healthcare workers. I shouldn't have to keep it hid, but I may have to. I was hoping a fellow cardholder may know a physician who isn't biased either way on MMJ use.

[Birdman]

Guess I will get one without disclosing my MMJ use. I sure would like to have pictures of their reaction when they see my medical records and the fact I'm not taking any prescriptions or OTC meds at all to treat anything. I honestly believe they will figure it out right away.

[The Digital Nomad]

A few things to consider -

 

The doctor is reporting to the insurance agency that covers you. HAP is pretty invasive - they make you take a online exam or be charged 20% extra for not following their "Wellness Program".

On the exam, it ask -" do you have guns, do you drink more than x of alcohol, do you speed - and do you smoke? The doctor is given a copy of this exam form you filled out online, and they are to fill it out and send it back to the insurance company. If you answer the exam 100% truthful - "yes, I speed a little bit", "I do not eat 6 cups of fruit everyday", and "I smoke marijuana" - you fail the exam and they tell you right there - you will be charged a higher rate - until you fix your health issues. Insurance companies get away with this because they say members who follow their wellness program incur less cost - good for business.

 

So the question is - will your doctor tell the insurance company you 'smoke' (even if you don't, they assume you do) marijuana - a schedule 1 substance.

See the insurance red flag on your account? "Drug addict", "non-compliant in care plan", "smoker!" And thus you get higher rates.

 

now, the doctor - his hands are sometimes bind by his organization's policies, say Henry Ford Hospital system vs St. John's system. But - really the doctor's hands are tied because he NEEDS to obey the Controlled Substances Act - its a contract between him and the federal government - he gets a licence to prescribe Schedule 2- 4 (whatever except schedule 1) as long as he follows the Federal rules, policies and guidelines. So - the doctor is afraid that he can lose his license to prescribe medicine - thus 87% of his business - for breaking the rules for you.

 

When I started the MMMP I used a secondary doctor - and he was legit - he needed my records, he had me examined for over an hour, offered other treatment options. But when I said -"thanks but I want to try the MMMP" - he signed with no issue. The paperwork does not get submitted to my insurance company - that's why I pay in cash.

My primary doctor does not get any information from this secondary doctor.

This avoided not just medication issues from my primary doctor, but kept my insurance company from finding out.

 

Now, I made the secondary doctor my primary now, and he keeps the files separate. One visit for MM renewal is not filed as a 'check up' to my insurance company - I pay for it.

[Birdman]

A few things to consider -

 

The doctor is reporting to the insurance agency that covers you. HAP is pretty invasive - they make you take a online exam or be charged 20% extra for not following their "Wellness Program".

On the exam, it ask -" do you have guns, do you drink more than x of alcohol, do you speed - and do you smoke? The doctor is given a copy of this exam form you filled out online, and they are to fill it out and send it back to the insurance company. If you answer the exam 100% truthful - "yes, I speed a little bit", "I do not eat 6 cups of fruit everyday", and "I smoke marijuana" - you fail the exam and they tell you right there - you will be charged a higher rate - until you fix your health issues. Insurance companies get away with this because they say members who follow their wellness program incur less cost - good for business.

 

So the question is - will your doctor tell the insurance company you 'smoke' (even if you don't, they assume you do) marijuana - a schedule 1 substance.

See the insurance red flag on your account? "Drug addict", "non-compliant in care plan", "smoker!" And thus you get higher rates.

 

now, the doctor - his hands are sometimes bind by his organization's policies, say Henry Ford Hospital system vs St. John's system. But - really the doctor's hands are tied because he NEEDS to obey the Controlled Substances Act - its a contract between him and the federal government - he gets a licence to prescribe Schedule 2- 4 (whatever except schedule 1) as long as he follows the Federal rules, policies and guidelines. So - the doctor is afraid that he can lose his license to prescribe medicine - thus 87% of his business - for breaking the rules for you.

 

When I started the MMMP I used a secondary doctor - and he was legit - he needed my records, he had me examined for over an hour, offered other treatment options. But when I said -"thanks but I want to try the MMMP" - he signed with no issue. The paperwork does not get submitted to my insurance company - that's why I pay in cash.

My primary doctor does not get any information from this secondary doctor.

This avoided not just medication issues from my primary doctor, but kept my insurance company from finding out.

 

Now, I made the secondary doctor my primary now, and he keeps the files separate. One visit for MM renewal is not filed as a 'check up' to my insurance company - I pay for it.

 

Thanks so much for the reply! My insurance will be through my Social Security Disability, which is Medicare. The only reason I had a primary care in the state I moved from was because they required a referral for me to see a specialist. My health has improved since moving here the past few months but I do need to get regular LFT (Liver Function Testing.) Having more than one qualifying condition for the MMMP, it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings to get rid of a couple of them.

Thanks again for your time and input!

[The Digital Nomad]

BTW - good news, some patients that have poor liver functions did not have any adverse or negative effects for using marijuana.

 

If you get pain meds, just think carefully about telling the doctor that prescribes it. He would be concerned about his job.

[Birdman]

BTW - good news, some patients that have poor liver functions did not have any adverse or negative effects for using marijuana.

 

If you get pain meds, just think carefully about telling the doctor that prescribes it. He would be concerned about his job.

 

I think the cannabis is what has kept my LFT and liver biopsies close to normal all these years. My last biopsy was still only Stage 1/Grade 1 which is excellent for someone who abused alcohol daily for over 30 years along with an existing liver disease. Of course none of the Docs would admit cannabis had any impact but I know it is the reason my liver has remained so healthy.

MMJ is currently my only medication. I have severe dysphagia which makes it near impossible to swallow pills. But it may be a blessing in disguise. It kept me from becoming a pill freak.

[pickles]

I travel to Petoskey for my primary care, interviewed with her before signing on as a patient. I told her up front about my MMJ card, she was great, asked lots of questions about use and results. also, gives me pain killers if I ask. I feel our Drs should know all about anything that may affect our health or treatments. I also told my ortho surgeon, he checked it out with the anesthetic dr before surgery, all I had to do was abstain 24 hrs prior to surgery. The staff seemed to get a giggle out of a little old lady indulging . My previous Dr in Hillman, wrote me a script for pain, asked me to do a pee test, I told her about the MMJ and she ripped up the script right in front of me. I calmly walked to the front desk, asked them to send me all my medical records, and walked out. It's a lovely drive to Petoskey and well worth it.

[Fat Freddy]

My friends we have overlooked a small distinction between Prescribing a medication and a recommendation.

All a doctor is saying when making a recommendation is that he/she believes the patient would benefit from using mmj.

I have yet to talk to my doctor about this issue, he does not like to prescribe pain killers so that might help in the conversation.

I feel that the doctors out there that are informed and have a regular patient base could reach out to other doctors.

Imho they speak a language all their own when needed. I am of the mind that some of the mmj lawyers have doctors as clients?

Maybe they could have some informative conversations?

[redwood]

I travel to Petoskey for my primary care, interviewed with her before signing on as a patient. I told her up front about my MMJ card, she was great, asked lots of questions about use and results. also, gives me pain killers if I ask. I feel our Drs should know all about anything that may affect our health or treatments. I also told my ortho surgeon, he checked it out with the anesthetic dr before surgery, all I had to do was abstain 24 hrs prior to surgery. The staff seemed to get a giggle out of a little old lady indulging . My previous Dr in Hillman, wrote me a script for pain, asked me to do a pee test, I told her about the MMJ and she ripped up the script right in front of me. I calmly walked to the front desk, asked them to send me all my medical records, and walked out. It's a lovely drive to Petoskey and well worth it.

 

 

just moving to the area from northern california. also looking for a physician who is compassionate and nonjudgemental. in ca my primary physician wrote my medical recommendation and pain meds. looking for a smooth transition. feel free to message me. this would be so helpful!!!! GRATITUDE.

Edited October 9, 2012 by redwood

[Bisharoo]

Welcome Redwood, and good luck in your quest! Peace...

[redwood]

MuchRespect Bisharoo~

That indeed used to be home. Ahhhhh.

[pickles]

I checked with my Dr and she is not taking new patients at this time. sorry