Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
I was forced by insurance to switch in 2021. The hospital where my previous team was went out of network. In 2022 they went back in network but my old endo retired. I didn’t feel like switching back because it would be a new doctor all over.
I have been going to a University hospital for neurological care for about thirty years and decided to move all of my doctors to this location about fifteen years ago.
I’ve been using the same hospital, which is local to myself, for the past 43 years, ever since I was diagnosed. I will add, however, that it’s not the same endocrinologist/diabetes consultant/Diabetes Specialist Nurse(s)/dietitians, etc. as many have changed over the years.
First 5 years post diagnosis, from 1991 to almost the end of 1996. Then I lived in southern Alabama for 22 years, and am now back in my home town and going to the same practice I was seeing 22 years before I returned to this area almost 5 years ago.
Same practice for 10+ years, with a 22 year gap between years 5 and 6.
Too bad you didn’t ask this one year ago. I would have answered 21-30 years with same practice but my benevolent endo retired so I moved to a new practice. So far so good I’m happy to say.
I always say it took me six years to train my Endo. He listens to my opinions and we discuss treatment options. I try to keep up with latest diabetes news.
I said more than 30 years and I dread the
Day he decides to retire. He has been both progressive and comprehensive in his treatment. I have visited other Endo’s in the area and I would not like to be their patient.
I started with this practice in 1996, but went to a different practice for about 4 years when my endocrinologist left. However, when my new endocrinologist left her practice to join the practice I’d been with, I came back.
Before retiring I went to Dr. Cathcart for more than 23 years. After retiring we moved to another area of the country. Now I’ve gone to the same provider for over a year.
Other – I began seeing my current endocrinologist in the summer of 1989. Due to positions in different healthcare systems I’ve been forced to see other’s because of the health insurance through them. This would have been okay if I would have been able to find ONE of all the other’s I’ve seen, that would have been a team member and not my way or the highway. So I’ve always gone back to that one from 1989; when I was made to move to an adult endocrinologist from my pediatric team.
I may have to switch again.. Due to the high number of people that are now seeing endocrinologists to try out a Libre or Dexcom as a non-diabetics, but just out of curiosity to achieve better fitness.. , and also the number of people trying to get an Ozempic/ Wegovy prescription for weight loss, My Endo cannot see me for 8 months. (Though I need to go every 3 to qualify for durable medical supplies).
My cardiologist said the same, he has had a surge of people that don’t actually need to see him, but they are concerned because their smart watches show something that makes them (perhaps irrationally) nervous.
Moved to Florida four years ago and can’t find a knowledgeable doctor anywhere. Had one ask me what interstitial fluid was and no ability to read pumps. This state is very scarey and sad.
I was with Group Health a local non-profit HMO that emphasized preventative health care, like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo. By a close vote members decided to merge with Kaiser Permanente, a for-profit that does not provide original Medicare, only Medicare Advantage plans. Sadly I’ve learned that for-profit so-called “advantage” plans charge the Social Security Administration exorbitant rates way above Original Medicare. Every year I think of opting for Original Medicare, but this would mean new doctors, new pharmacy, new specialists. I’m in a quandary. Fortunately there are at least 2 other choices nearby offering as good or better care that do accept Original Medicare.
Endo suddenly retired. Primary literally left town, without warning. The “white coats” I now see are literally brand new, but the practice(s) I attended for a while. In TRUTH I have absolutely ZERO usage for any medical doctor at this point, they have nothing of value to offer. I do not consider being blackmailed 4 times a year for a mandatory medications check a medication I have taken for decades and decades A-N-Y value, merely a forced business transaction of which I am NOT a “voluntary” participant. The nurse practitioner at the endo, I would gladly walk through fire for… her slightest whisper is my immediate command
I was forced by insurance to switch in 2021. The hospital where my previous team was went out of network. In 2022 they went back in network but my old endo retired. I didn’t feel like switching back because it would be a new doctor all over.
I have been going to a University hospital for neurological care for about thirty years and decided to move all of my doctors to this location about fifteen years ago.
I’m also constantly trying to get all of my doctors in one place. I’d get that done and then my Endo would move. 🙄
My mom recognized something wasn’t right because I was constantly thirsty. I was only 7years old when DX.
Me too!
I’ve been using the same hospital, which is local to myself, for the past 43 years, ever since I was diagnosed. I will add, however, that it’s not the same endocrinologist/diabetes consultant/Diabetes Specialist Nurse(s)/dietitians, etc. as many have changed over the years.
Not the same clinic but I’ve followed my endocrinologist across four different practices over the years.
First 5 years post diagnosis, from 1991 to almost the end of 1996. Then I lived in southern Alabama for 22 years, and am now back in my home town and going to the same practice I was seeing 22 years before I returned to this area almost 5 years ago.
Same practice for 10+ years, with a 22 year gap between years 5 and 6.
Too bad you didn’t ask this one year ago. I would have answered 21-30 years with same practice but my benevolent endo retired so I moved to a new practice. So far so good I’m happy to say.
I always say it took me six years to train my Endo. He listens to my opinions and we discuss treatment options. I try to keep up with latest diabetes news.
3-5 but she schedules 6 months out so I’m looking again!!
I said more than 30 years and I dread the
Day he decides to retire. He has been both progressive and comprehensive in his treatment. I have visited other Endo’s in the area and I would not like to be their patient.
I started with this practice in 1996, but went to a different practice for about 4 years when my endocrinologist left. However, when my new endocrinologist left her practice to join the practice I’d been with, I came back.
About 5 years, my original Endo. retired.
Less than a year because I moved last August.
I finally stopped moving every 2 -3 years and now have been with the same provider 6 years.
Long time
Before retiring I went to Dr. Cathcart for more than 23 years. After retiring we moved to another area of the country. Now I’ve gone to the same provider for over a year.
Other – I began seeing my current endocrinologist in the summer of 1989. Due to positions in different healthcare systems I’ve been forced to see other’s because of the health insurance through them. This would have been okay if I would have been able to find ONE of all the other’s I’ve seen, that would have been a team member and not my way or the highway. So I’ve always gone back to that one from 1989; when I was made to move to an adult endocrinologist from my pediatric team.
I may have to switch again.. Due to the high number of people that are now seeing endocrinologists to try out a Libre or Dexcom as a non-diabetics, but just out of curiosity to achieve better fitness.. , and also the number of people trying to get an Ozempic/ Wegovy prescription for weight loss, My Endo cannot see me for 8 months. (Though I need to go every 3 to qualify for durable medical supplies).
My cardiologist said the same, he has had a surge of people that don’t actually need to see him, but they are concerned because their smart watches show something that makes them (perhaps irrationally) nervous.
have been with the same endo since diagnosis 20 years ago. he’s frustrating me some lately, like not approving Afrezza. we’ll see what happens.
I’ve been going to my health care practice for diabetes issues for 27 years! They treat me well and as a person and I truly appreciate their help.
Moved to Florida four years ago and can’t find a knowledgeable doctor anywhere. Had one ask me what interstitial fluid was and no ability to read pumps. This state is very scarey and sad.
I’m in Florida too and have found some great docs. Guess it depends where you are in this big state.
Same doc, though he’s been part of five different practices. Finally found a good fit. Happy for him and for me.
I currently do not see any one for T1D care….
for 16years
I was with Group Health a local non-profit HMO that emphasized preventative health care, like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo. By a close vote members decided to merge with Kaiser Permanente, a for-profit that does not provide original Medicare, only Medicare Advantage plans. Sadly I’ve learned that for-profit so-called “advantage” plans charge the Social Security Administration exorbitant rates way above Original Medicare. Every year I think of opting for Original Medicare, but this would mean new doctors, new pharmacy, new specialists. I’m in a quandary. Fortunately there are at least 2 other choices nearby offering as good or better care that do accept Original Medicare.
I have been with the same provider for 20-25 years, however, my procider has changed practices.
The minute my insurance plan adds a 3rd endo to my “in network” list I’m changing.
Endo suddenly retired. Primary literally left town, without warning. The “white coats” I now see are literally brand new, but the practice(s) I attended for a while. In TRUTH I have absolutely ZERO usage for any medical doctor at this point, they have nothing of value to offer. I do not consider being blackmailed 4 times a year for a mandatory medications check a medication I have taken for decades and decades A-N-Y value, merely a forced business transaction of which I am NOT a “voluntary” participant. The nurse practitioner at the endo, I would gladly walk through fire for… her slightest whisper is my immediate command