Waiting for weeks to see a doctor. Trying to understand Medicare. Wondering how you’ll even get to your appointment. If healthcare has started to feel more stressful than supportive, you’re not alone, and those feelings are more common than you might think.
At Town Square Health, a Medicare primary care practice in Rochester, NY, these are the worries we hear about most.
1. The long wait for a doctor
You call for an appointment and hear “our next opening is in three months.” Long waits for a primary care provider (PCP) can mean putting off checkups, managing symptoms on your own, or ending up in urgent care for something your own doctor could have handled.
How long does it take to get a new patient appointment with a primary care doctor?
Here in Rochester, we hear from patients who have waited months to get a new appointment, or have gone without a PCP for over a year because their practice is closed to new patients.
At Town Square Health, new patients are typically seen within a few weeks. Visits are also longer, so there’s time for every question on your list.
How do I find a primary care doctor accepting new Medicare patients in Rochester, NY?
To find a Rochester primary care doctor who accepts new Medicare patients, check your plan’s provider directory or Medicare’s Care Compare tool. Then call the office to confirm two things: that it’s accepting new patients, and that it takes your specific plan.
Town Square Health is accepting new Medicare patients at 2275 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14618. We currently accept Medicare, Aetna, Excellus BCBS, and Wellcare/Fidelis Care Medicare Advantage plans.
What to do: At Town Square Health, we build our care around time with you. Our patients get timely appointments with a care team that knows them. If you or someone you know is stuck waiting for a PCP, call us at (585) 440-6045 (Press 1) to get established with Dr. Michael Mendoza and our fantastic team, or become a patient online.
2. The Medicare maze
Parts A, B, C, and D. Premiums, deductibles, enrollment periods. Medicare can feel like a puzzle with no instructions, and a wrong choice can cost you money or coverage you need.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare has four parts. Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing, and hospice. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services like your yearly wellness visit. Part C (Medicare Advantage) delivers A and B through a private plan, often with extras. Part D covers prescription drugs.
| Part | What it covers | 2026 costs to know |
| Part A (hospital insurance) | Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, some home health care | $1,736 deductible per benefit period; most people pay zero premium. |
| Part B (medical insurance) | Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, annual wellness visit, medical equipment | $202.90 standard monthly premium; $283 yearly deductible |
| Part C (Medicare Advantage) | Everything in A and B through a private plan; many add dental, vision, hearing, or drug coverage | Varies by plan |
| Part D (prescription drugs) | Prescription medications | Varies by plan |
2026 figures from CMS, via Penn State Office of Rural Health.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or long-term custodial care.
Can I change my Medicare coverage?
Yes. You can change your Medicare coverage each year during Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, and your new coverage starts January 1. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get another chance from January 1 through March 31 to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
- Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7): Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change plans, or join or drop a drug plan.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31): Make one change if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Special Enrollment Periods: Moving, losing other coverage, or qualifying for extra help can open a window outside these dates.
Before you switch, check that your doctors are in the new plan’s network.
What to do: Join our complimentary Medicare 101: Getting to Know Your Benefits webinar on Thursday, November 12 at 12 p.m. ET with Erika Holleron, Dominique Richardson, and Lauren Ranalli, MPH. We’ll walk through what each part covers, how to compare your options, and the deadlines to keep on your calendar, all in plain language. This is an educational event; no plan-specific information will be shared.
3. Getting to the appointment
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the appointment itself; it’s getting there. No car, a ride that fell through, or a busy family schedule can turn a routine visit into a skipped one.
Does Medicare cover Uber or Lyft to doctor appointments?
Original Medicare does not cover Uber, Lyft, or other routine rides to doctor appointments. It covers non-emergency ambulance trips only when a doctor says other transportation would put your health at risk. Some Medicare Advantage plans include ride benefits, and Medicaid covers non-emergency rides for people who qualify.
- Original Medicare: Emergency ambulance rides, and non-emergency ambulance rides only when medically necessary with a doctor’s order.
- Medicare Advantage: Some plans include a set number of rides each year to approved health locations. According to AARP, citing KFF, 36% of regular Medicare Advantage plans offered medical transportation in 2024. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage or call the number on your member card.
- Medicaid: If you have Medicaid (including people with both Medicare and Medicaid), non-emergency medical transportation is covered for Medicaid-covered appointments.
- Your doctor’s office: Some practices arrange rides for their patients directly.
What to do: Town Square Health patients can get complimentary rides to and from appointments through Uber Health. You don’t need the Uber account, app, or a smartphone. Just tell our team you need a ride when you schedule, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Healthcare shouldn’t feel scary
You deserve a care team that knows you, makes time for you, and helps with everything around the visit, too. If any of these worries sound familiar, we’re here to help.
Call Town Square Health at (585) 440-6045 (Press 1), visit us at 2275 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14618, or become a patient online.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical or insurance advice. Medicare costs and rules change each year; confirm details at Medicare.gov or with your plan.
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