Doctor problems

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Doctor problems
3
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 3:36pm

My regular GP continues to test TSH and little else. So I went to Mary Shomon's web site and got the name of a "top doc" in the Atlanta area - Chip Reed came highly recommended. I looked him up on my insurance and he was covered. Yay I thought. Well, I just called his office to make an appointment because I'm still symptomatic. He is booked until April. So I said what about a nurse practitioner. No problem, I could come in next week. Only one problem. I have to have my doctor refer me!!!! What???!?!?!? I am not in an HMO I explained. He said that it doesn't matter that they will no longer take walk-ins - you must have a referral from a doctor to get an appointment! This is completely insane. I am tempted to go to my GYN (because the symptoms I am having are related to this) and doubtless she can refer me (because it isn't something she can treat).

Has anyone else heard of any ridiculous policies like this? It is hard enough to get people to believe you when you have thyroid issues - they treat everything else but the thyroid. And now to have a "top doc" for thyroid turn you away! It just smarts.

Sorry to vent but I had to go somewhere to do it and I know everyone here will understand where I'm coming from.

Danielle

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 9:29pm

Vent away...that's what we're here for!

I think this experience is probably not all that unusual. I think the "top" doc's probably do this to try to screen out people who may need to see their GP/PCP first to rule out other possible causes. That doesn't make it right, but I guess I can kinda understand it.

Try your ob/gyn to get a referral, if that doesn't work, try another doctor or perhaps one of those "doc in a box" urgent care type places.

Good luck...and keep trying!!!

dazed

Dazed
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 7:06am

If it's any consolation to you.. my endo is also one of the "top docs" and he wants his patients referred to him.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 11:19pm
Hi Danielle - yes, my endo has the same policy. he didn't at the time that I made my appointment - and I had to wait 6 months to see him, but he has changed his policy now. I want to get my daughter in to see him and have to get her doctor to call his office to make the appointment. I guess it's pretty routine. I don't know the reasoning behind it. Maybe it helps to keep the practice down. Do you have a problem asking your doctor to refer you? Just be really nice about it and tell him or her that you really want to get another opinion and this doc came highly recommended and you'd just like to see what he says. It's your health, not your doctor's, that's at stake so I now it might be uncomfortable to do but you have nothing to lose!! And everything to gain. Good luck. Let us know what happens. Cathy :)