Dealing with Doctor Shortages: What to Do When Your Physician Retires
TL/DR –
There is an increasing shortage of primary care physicians in the U.S. as more seasoned healthcare providers retire, resulting in a gap between supply and demand, which is expected to reach a deficit of 40,000 by 2036. This shortage, which is not limited to doctors but extends to nurse practitioners and physician assistants, is particularly impacting seniors who often find it hard to access primary care or the specialists they need. One suggested solution includes turning to community health centers, which provide a broad range of services regardless of patients’ ability to pay, and considering seeing nurse practitioners or physician assistants instead of insisting on seeing a doctor or a geriatrician.
Finding a New Doctor amid Retirement Wave
The retirement wave of seasoned healthcare providers is a growing concern. Many of us have long-standing relationships with our primary care physician. However, maintaining such a relationship in today’s world is becoming increasingly difficult due to a high retirement rate among experienced doctors. This has led to a worsening national shortage of internists and general practitioners, creating a gap between supply and demand.
By 2036, forecasters estimate a shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians. A recent Yale University study published in October 2025 found escalating attrition rates across all specialties, geographic regions, and demographic groups. Seniors are especially impacted by this situation, and states like Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, and Tennessee are projected to have the largest gaps.
Primary Care Clinicians Shortage
The national shortage is not limited to medical doctors (MDs), but also primary care clinicians such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). This shortage makes scheduling an appointment increasingly difficult and could lead to longer waits for an initial visit.
What if Your Doctor Retires?
When your doctor retires, you might be referred to other providers or practices. However, seniors often face difficulties accessing primary care or specialists and might need to exhaustively search for practitioners accepting new patients.
Alternatives and Solutions
If you have health insurance, consider contacting your insurer for an updated list of in-network providers. Local Area Agencies on Aging may also provide resources and referrals. Those struggling to find a doctor should consider community health centers, known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), as they offer a broad range of services and provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Community health centers have more than 16,000 locations in the U.S., many in areas short of healthcare providers. These centers aren’t only for uninsured or low-income individuals. They cater to people of all income levels, making them a viable choice for seniors.
Despite grappling with employee turnover and understaffing, community health centers maintain certain conditions and standards set by federal regulators, thus making them reliable options. You can use the Find a Health Center tool on the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website to locate a community health center near you.
Resetting Expectations
Adjusting expectations for healthcare is necessary. Older patients should be open to seeing a rotating mix of practitioners, rather than insisting on a consistent doctor-patient relationship. Be proactive in securing appointments and be flexible in seeking out a specialist. General practitioners and their teams are often capable of caring for seniors, making the need for a geriatrician not always necessary.
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