It’s sometimes all right to wait an extended time for a doctor’s appointment. But if you have worsening symptoms, concerns about your health, or need timely treatment, advocating to see a medical professional sooner is important.

It can be difficult to get an in-person appointment with your medical professional. Recent research shows there’s a shortage of medical care professionals, while existing professionals are overloaded.

According to a 2025 study, significant gaps in the training pipeline for primary care physicians in the United States has led to shortages of available medical care professionals nationwide. And according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), these shortages will continue to increase.

One commonly cited survey of doctors in large metro areas shows the wait time to see a new doctor has increased to about 31 days.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that the average wait for those in qualified health plans to receive primary care is about 15 business days, and for specialized care, it’s about 30 business days.

If you’re trying to schedule an appointment with a doctor but are on the distant end of a long waiting list, you may have some options.

Read on to learn when you should ask to see another medical professional or when it’s worth waiting.

If you already have a diagnosis of a medical condition or need routine follow-ups with your doctor, they should be scheduling your appointments in a timely manner.

If this doesn’t happen, calling your doctor’s office and letting them know the timeliness of your specific situation may be an effective way for them to clear up an earlier appointment time. If your doctor is not available, they may be able to refer you to another doctor in their practice who has availability to see you as a special circumstance.

Note

Government changes to telehealth benefits were planned for fall 2025. It’s best to call your medical insurance provider and confirm if your policy covers telehealth appointments.

If you need advice rather than specific care, consider asking for a telehealth appointment, which is one that takes place over a telephone or video call.

If the situation is more urgent but your doctor is not available, consider visiting an urgent care clinic, which is meant for people with injuries or illnesses that need prompt attention but are not a severe or life threatening emergency. While this type of clinic cannot provide ongoing care, it may do in a pinch while you wait to see your doctor. Typically, an appointment is not needed to get attention at urgent care.

You also have the option to look for a new medical care professional. However, wait times for new patients are often longer than for returning, established patients.

It can be nerve-racking to be concerned about your health but not be able to see your doctor in a timely manner.

If you’re experiencing long appointment wait times but your schedule allows it, you can tell the doctor’s practice that you would like to be considered for short-notice appointments in the event of a cancellation.

Additionally, you can ask your primary care doctor’s office for a recommendation to another professional. They may be able to recommend someone they know who is accepting new patients and has earlier availability.

If you’re trying to schedule an appointment with a specialist, your primary care doctor may be able to recommend other specialists with earlier availability.

Additionally, it’s possible to get diagnoses of some medical conditions at either an urgent care clinic or a walk-in clinic. Like urgent care, a walk-in clinic does not require an appointment to receive care.

At a walk-in clinic, you can be seen for minor ailments or injuries, such as a cold, scrape, or the flu. Most do not have specialized imaging test capabilities.

Consider waiting for your scheduled medical appointment, even if it’s a long time away, in the following situations:

  • Annual checkup: For routine preventive care visits, it’s generally safe to wait until your scheduled appointment date.
  • Nonemergency concerns or routine care: If your symptoms are mild and manageable at home, waiting is usually OK. And if an existing medical condition is stable and not worsening, waiting is often appropriate.
  • Trust in your current doctor: If you have confidence in your current medical professional and trust their assessment that waiting for the scheduled appointment is best, it may be advisable to follow the recommendation.

Routine follow-up appointments and wellness visits should be scheduled in advance to avoid waiting an extended period of time when the appointment is due.

If you’re unsure about waiting a long time for your scheduled appointment, experience worsening symptoms, or have concerns about your health, it’s best to share them with your doctor and ask for guidance, contact another medical care professional, or visit a walk-in or urgent care clinic.

You are the best advocate for your health, and it’s best to share any concerns you may have with your medical care professional. If you feel that they don’t relieve your concerns, finding another healthcare professional may be best for you.