I had to switch endos last year. My beloved endo at Georgetowne U left and I had to scramble. Saw the replacement almost a year ago. In our conversation, he asked if I was only using him to "update" my pump and CGM supplies. It is true--once a year is my norm. Calls? No one answers or gets back to me for days, so I gave that up a long time ago. My PCP writes my scrips, does my bloodwork, etc.
How often do you visit?
I go every 3 months or so. I figure sooner or later, BCBS will balk at paying for it but my endo seems to think that she needs to see me if I'm determined to run my BG where I run it? Not that she tells me anything. I could probably talk my way out of it or something but just don't bother.
I don't see an endo or CDE. I go see my PCP when I need refill of prescriptions or have other medical issues.
I don’t have a PCP. I only see an Endo. 
Potato, potato, as the old song goes. I see him about every 4-6 months, just to catch up.
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I figure if I land in the hospital for something else, the endo needs current information on my lantus and humalog I:C ratios & sensitivity.
He also needs to remember me. I ensure that by telling him something he can log and smile about.
Once a year I need prescriptions.
So it's twice annually. A1c & all labs are done by the internist; I carry these over.
I have put my endo in the "if you need him you've got one" slot.
Every 3 months. I also have very low bone density, so 2 fer one. I've thought about abandoning the endo for my wonderful PCP, but if I end up with an emergency or problem I'd be up the creek...
I see my Endo Every 3-4 months. I see my PCP every 6 months. I don’t see a CDE.
He wants me to see him every 3-4 months, which is a bit excessive to be honest, and I don't see the point in it much. Hopefully we don't have to keep repeating this cycle forever...
I'm sorry but I always find it a bit puzzling when someone says "He wants me to see him every 3-4 months...which I find a bit excessive". Then why do you agree to it? We are consumers (of services). If your mechanic, hairdresser for women or even your dentist said "see my every 3-4 months" would you do it even though you didn't think it necessary for you? This came up in another thread. I think doctors telling us how often to come, or what med we must take is money grubbing and paternalistic! They work for us, after all! Just my opinion.
for the first year, every 3 mths now it is every six to eight months.
Unfortunately every 3 to 4 months because that is the Medicare rule for people using a pump. My endo lets me stretch it out to nearer 4 than 3 & once or twice a year it is a phone consult.
Does he charge you for the phone consult? I'm going to be on Medicare in two years, but my current insurance will be my primary insurance. I sure hope I'm not going to be required to see an endo (which I have no desire to do) and see them that often. For me that means driving an hour over a winding mountain road. Oh well, I guess I might be dragging my "nobody tells me what to do" teenage rebellion into old age..lol
No I don't get charged for phone consults. But I have Kaiser medicare advantage plan. The 3 month rule is a basic Medicare rule.
I always assumed endo appointments were routinely done every 3 months so that an A1c could be done. Red blood cells live 2-3 months so you will have new red blood cells after 3 months.
However, my last endo appointment in February they requested to see me in 6 months. My endo has noted that I do just about everything she would do except I have my pump 1 tick higher than she recommends. Of course it could be that my endo does not like me or my money!
I see my endo every 6 months. When I was first diagnosed, I went much more often. My self-care/A1c are quite consistent, so 6 months is good. My endo has been a huge advocate for me, so seeing her every 6 months helps me get some goodies such as my Dexcom (which I love).
Well that's good, at least you aren't charged, and they give you the phone option. I can't tell you how much I hate all this control stuff that the medical profession and insurance companies do - when, ironically, they don't know as much as we do about how to manage our Type 1. It truly makes me angry!
I will have CalPers which integrates somehow with medicare, medicare picking up what calpers doesn't. So hopefully I will avoid the rule. I would find it a big waste of time, effort and money to have to drive over the mountain to see an endo every three months.
Nope, sounds like you have a smart endo, Capin, who respects your management!
I actually do the home A1C tests and tell my doctor the results. The last time I did a lab one was when I got my pump a year ago.
If my endo had it her way, I'd be in there every 3 months, and never a day late. However, life (which includes work, travel, family, etc) just doesn't make this possible. I travel some for work and have a busy life, so I generally go every 6 months or so, and I consult with my endo (or the CDE at her practice) via the phone if I have issues. Because I use Carelink with my pump, my endo's practice has access to all my data and can help me troubleshoot if I'm having any issues. But, honestly, most of the time I'm able to figure out how to correct any problems without their assistance.
Up until a year ago, I went to an endo religiously every three months. I got tired of going since I didn't think he gave me anything of value. And I guess I don't respect his attempts to give me day-to-day BG control advice.
What I really need is a doctor to write the scripts I need and also to read my blood tests to monitor my kidneys, liver, and heart health.
I just saw my endo recently after a one year absence. He reminded me many times that I need to visit more often but I didn't push back. I don't really want to tell him what I think and get into an argument. I think twice a year should be plenty.
I do not go to an endo or cde. I see my amazing doc once a year and she sees after all of my health needs. Her office calls to remind me it's time for a physical. Doc orders labs twice a year but I don't have to have an appointment with her for them. If I should call for an appointment the doc gets me right in...she knows something is wrong :)