topic Re: Doctor Referrals in Community Chat

Doctor Referrals

89135 — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:18:30 GMT

If a doctor sends a referral to a Specialist are they suppose to call you for an appt or do I call them and make an appointment ? Need Cataract Surgery..UGH!

Re: Doctor Referrals

MamaWick — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:21:54 GMT

I was recently referred and a few days later, I received a text and email with the number to call them to schedule. That was different.

I usually give the specialist's office 3-4 days to call me. If they don't, then I call them.

Re: Doctor Referrals

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:22:15 GMT

@89135 wrote:
If a doctor sends a referral to a Specialist are they suppose to call you for an appt or do I call them and make an appointment ? Need Cataract Surgery..UGH!

I've had it go both ways. If you haven't gotten a call yet, call them. They will be able to locate the order if one has been sent.

Re: Doctor Referrals

BlueFinch — Fri, 03 May 2024 15:14:01 GMT

When my PCP recommends a specialist, to clarify, I always ask if I'm to contact them, or expect for them to contact me. Docs always seem to think we know what they're thinking. Depending on the situation, or urgency, it can be different.

Sometimes they mention a specialist and it's more of a possible recommendation for the future. It can get confusing.

If it's something needing more prompt attention, I'm usually told to wait for their contact and if they don't within a certain number of days, to notify my PCP.

Not a problem. With my recent event, I heard back from the referral in two days, with a prompt set up visit, with gallbladder surgery scheduled for the following day. It all went so fast, my head was spinning.

Very efficient process. I had nothing to do but show up and follow instructions.

Re: Doctor Referrals

ScrapHappy — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:00:25 GMT

I always call but after I checked with my insurance company to see if they're in network.

Re: Doctor Referrals

Sooner — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:04:29 GMT

@89135 wrote:
If a doctor sends a referral to a Specialist are they suppose to call you for an appt or do I call them and make an appointment ? Need Cataract Surgery..UGH!

@89135 I feel your anxiety but honestly both my cataract surgeries were easier than a tooth cap or certainly than a root canal. I really had little discomfort and no pain.

I whined until my doc ordered me a pill to "relax" me before and was in a jolly old mood by the time I was prepped! I highly recommend!

Re: Doctor Referrals

Meowingkitty — Fri, 03 May 2024 18:04:39 GMT

I fortunately don't need a referral but I'm having knee replacement in two weeks and my doctor sent over a referral to a place that is absolutely horrible. It's nothing but a patient mill. I already knew who I wanted to see so it didn't matter who he referred me to I wasnt going to go to them. It's been about a month and so far they haven't contacted me and I don't care. Make sure you check out the referral carefully and if you don't like them get others. My husband once had a referral to an eye specialist and after looking at reviews online there is no way he would see that doctor. I request two more and got one that was great.

Re: Doctor Referrals

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 03 May 2024 18:17:03 GMT

@89135 wrote:
If a doctor sends a referral to a Specialist are they suppose to call you for an appt or do I call them and make an appointment ? Need Cataract Surgery..UGH!

@89135

I had the two cataract surgeries last year and they were a breeze.

The only thing I still find odd about the whole process was the cost of the eye drops, which need to be applied for a week after, during the healing.

Both surgeries cost me $0 co-pay. The eye drops cost me $130 .... and my prescriptions are usually also $0 co-pay.

I still haven't figured that one out, lol.

Re: Doctor Referrals

ECBG — Fri, 03 May 2024 22:42:41 GMT

Mine have always called me.

Re: Doctor Referrals

I am still oxox — Fri, 03 May 2024 22:47:40 GMT

Any insurances I have had since I started working 40 years I have never needed a referral, I have been very lucky

Re: Doctor Referrals

Puggywuggy — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:23:47 GMT

I always give them a couple of days to contact me and then I reach out to them. As to the cataract surgery itself, it is quick, easy and you are awake during the very short procedure. Recovery time is swift and your vision will be so much better not looking through the yellowish, milky film. 💗

Re: Doctor Referrals

MamaWick — Sat, 04 May 2024 14:43:57 GMT

Referrals are not strictly for insurance purposes. Many specialists will not accept a new patient without a referral from the patient's primary doctor or ER.

Re: Doctor Referrals

tansy — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:52:21 GMT

@MamaWick wrote:
All...referrals are not strictly for insurance purposes. Many specialists will not accept a new patient without a referral from the patient's primary doctor or ER.

I have experienced that lately, @MamaWick. I am not sure what the reasoning is.

Re: Doctor Referrals

Stray — Sat, 04 May 2024 10:55:43 GMT

I don’t need a referral to a specialist but if my PCP feels I need to see a specialist, he gives me the phone number of a doctor her prefers & it’s clear I call for an appointment. I trust him & don’t look at reviews.

Re: Doctor Referrals

on the bay — Sat, 04 May 2024 11:12:51 GMT

@89135,

They are supposed to call you but sometimes it can be over a week or so in my experience.

I like to remind myself to get the phone no for the specialist and call myself, rather than waiting for a random number to call 24/7 and then maybe have to call them back after a voice message.

As for "referrals" from the pc, I've found that sometimes the pc just automatically refers to a specialist they usually refer to without ever really knowing them or patients experience with them. And sometimes the specialist isn't that great. I'm always surprised by this but learned that drs maybe agree to refer each other or something without really knowing their reviews from actual patients.

There is only one doctor I really trust that she refers to people she actually has experience with.

I usually research them and reviews after a referral because that is important to me.

Everyone I know who has had cataract surgery has had a pretty good experience but I really understand your feeling about it.

Another not fun thing! I hope it goee really well for you!

Re: Doctor Referrals

qvcfreak — Sat, 04 May 2024 13:50:41 GMT

I pick up the referral from my Dr's office and appointment with Specialist name, address and time and date are on the referral.

I pick it up because for some reason it never makes it to Specialist office.

Re: Doctor Referrals

MamaWick — Sat, 04 May 2024 14:47:24 GMT

@tansy The reasoning some specialists don't accept self-referrals is to be sure the patient truly has a problem needing to be seen.

Re: Doctor Referrals

Nuttmeg — Sat, 04 May 2024 15:28:23 GMT

@89135 wrote:
If a doctor sends a referral to a Specialist are they suppose to call you for an appt or do I call them and make an appointment ? Need Cataract Surgery..UGH!

Most doctors or groups have a website. You may find helpful information there.

Re: Doctor Referrals

CalminHeart — Sun, 05 May 2024 11:54:52 GMT

I called the specialist's office. I'm not one to wait days or longer for them to call me.

Re: Doctor Referrals

GoneButNotForgotten — Sun, 05 May 2024 21:55:53 GMT

If I don't hear from the doctor within a few days, I call the office. Here in western Washington, most doctors are booked up at least 3+ months (usually more) in advance so you have to make your move right away.