>Good question. I have Blue Shield PPO so I can go to any doctor even without a referral. However, I have to see two doctors for different reasons and each one has a waiting list of four months! The biggest complaint I hear about medical care in places like Canada and the UK is the wait. So what is the difference?

As Tracy said, when you really need a doctor for an emergency, they manage to fit you in. I've also found two things that help:

1) You get an appointment sooner if your doctor's office calls to set it up than if you do it yourself;
2) When you can't get an appointment soon enough, most offices will put you on a list to fill cancellations. (Some ask you to call back to check.)

Between these two strategies, I've rarely had to wait more than a couple of weeks to see a doctor. OTOH, I have learned to call for my mammogram appointment at least two months ahead of when I'm due.

Tamar