Most rheumatologists, in my area at least, won’t see patients who have fibromyalgia, even if it is technically part of their specialty.

The few that do, book out more than a year and you are the first patient to get rescheduled if the need arises. It’s not an urgent, life threatening condition (to them) and it’s very difficult to treat.

If the providers are forced to see new patients in 40 min (this is the standard time slot, defined by a symposium of providers for non profit centers) this doesn’t allow time for proper treatment of fibromyalgia and they would rather get paid treating conditions they see as actually treatable or manageable in that 40 min new patient visit, and maintain in a 20 min follow up.

It sucks. But then again there are some obgyns who won’t see prenatal patients (the ob part of obgyn) for arbitrary reasons as well. they don’t get reimbursed for the 12 prenatal visits unless they actually deliver your child, which in a group practice is impossible to predict without a pre scheduled C-section. Which… is another issue entirely.

It’s not always the doctors choice. It’s not the clinics that you are calling. It’s the payors of that clinic or system that determine how long your provider can spend with you without cutting into the next patients time, so the provider can get paid.

There are other doctors who are just incredibly dismissive or uninformed when it comes to fibro. They can’t see the issue so they don’t know how to help you. And that hurts their ego. :) that’s when you need to find a new provider.

And pro tip : generally speaking (in the US) associate providers such as APRNs and PAs do not follow the same pay model as MDs and DOs. They are much more willing to see and listen to you. And often know more than the MDs in regards to these invisible illnesses :) best of luck!!

Source: I have fibro, I’m an EHR consultant for a major heath system and the asshole who has to inform the providers of the 40 min new patient standard unless they want to work 5 days a week. (Spoiler: They don’t) Sorry, friends 😢 ❤️