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Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,491
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do


@quilter61 wrote:

The facility that I go to get my Mammograms, no longer requires a order from my doctor.   They used to, but a couple of years ago they changed it so it is no longer required.   Probably want to make sure that more women get a mammogram.


 

 

I go to Washington Radiology here in the DC area and they now say they don't need the order, but I bring it anyway since my gyn gives it to me.

 

I think they are trying to get as many people to go for a mammogram as possible and skipping this step may help.

 

You don't need an order for a free  mannogram if you go to the mobile unit. 

 

Many places also do them for free in October for Breast CAncer Awareness Month, but i don't know if yo have to qualify for a free one or not.

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN
Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,491
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

re reviews

 

I find most doctor reviews are for not being able to be seen in a timely manner and awful staff.

 

My gyn gets skewered for not being a hand holding mommy.  She's direct and aggressive with procedures.  She will yank out anything if you let her.

 

 

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN
Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,604
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

[ Edited ]

If you have any type of Medicare insurance, you do not need a physician referral for a routine mammogram..  That law went into effect January 1,  2018.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,168
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

[ Edited ]

I had my PCP and two other drs I see on a regular basis retire or quit their practice within a few months. Fortunately, the two specialists gave me a list of area drs who could take over my care....I am pleased with both of them. My PCP retired but there was a Licenced nurse practicioner in the same office. She has taken over my care him and she is the best I have ever had. She can do everything a MD does except prescribe controlled substances. As far as my insurance is concerned, another MD in the office would just sign off on a script if it was a controlled instance. As far as reviews, I agree to choose someone recommended and make your own decision as to whether you want to keep them as your PCP. Yelp is worthless. The best neuro I have ever had gets terrible reviews on Yelp. I asked him about it. He said every dr will have some disgruntled patients eventually. Some show up very late for spots and get irate when not seen immediately.....he said they usually go to yelp to grouse about it. Others gripe about the front desk staff, which I usually get irritated with if they are clearly incompetent. Judge the doctor on how he takes care of you. You can also check the state for the medical license, etc if you are wary. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,640
Registered: ‎05-30-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

Carmine: What? 2109? Maybe you meant 2009? I don't know about not needing a MD referral.

 

My insurance, PPO, required an MD to send a referral to the radiologist center. But I see, Google,  Medicare doesn't require one for a screening mammogram. 

 

Healthcare is complicated. Ask your MD.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 30,238
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

I've never had to do that.  Maybe because of my insurance?  I don't know.

 

I think it depends on insurance....maybe.

 

I'm about to call Florida Obamacare.  Ugh!

 

I'm paying for my daughter's health insurance.  One person, one person and I'm paying $813 per month.  She's 44 years old.

 

My oldest daughter set it up for her.  She said it had to be done now because the laws were going to change regarding previous medical problems?  I have no idea.  

 

I have an insurance agent that takes care of everything.  I set up auto-pay and that's it.

 

But my oldest daughter is self-employed.  All of this insurance stuff is a nightmare for people who do their best to get insurance and follow the law.

 

They sure as heck don't make it easy on people.

 

I feel the OP's pain.  I already had two Drs who retired.  Now my thyroid Dr is going to retire.  I'm getting a new thyroid Dr.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,604
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do


@ahoymate wrote:

Carmine: What? 2109? Maybe you meant 2009? I don't know about not needing a MD referral.

 

My insurance, PPO, required an MD to send a referral to the radiologist center. But I see, Google,  Medicare doesn't require one for a screening mammogram. 

 

Healthcare is complicated. Ask your MD.


Oops, thanks for catching that.  The correct date is January 1, 2018.  My spell check is aggressive.  i fixed it.

 

For me, understanding Health care is easy.  That was my life for 25+ years.

 

Most insurance does not require a referral for a routine exam.  There are laws to cover mammograms.  No deductible, copayment or other fees can be charged either.

 

Now, if the company you work for is is self insured. The laws do not apply.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 35,597
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

[ Edited ]

You do not need a referral or Rx to get a (screening) mammo. You can schedule one without that.  However, if you've had an abnormal mammo, or history of breast problems in the past, then a diagnostic mammo would need to be done and that one requires a doctor's order.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,627
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

I can schedule my own mammogram, as long as it's one year and one day since the previous one.  However, I need a doctor to formally receive the test results, even though they eventually send me the results.

 

I discovered years ago, when our PCP retired, that you NEED one.  I'm not totally crazy about ours.  But, I go to several specialists for other issues.  I just need one for my blood pressure monitoring, my yearly physical, and to have a physician on my records.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,414
Registered: ‎07-25-2010

Re: Mammograms, Office Wouldn't Do

Not where I live.  Every year I call the hospital to schedule my mammogram and have no problem.  I never have to give them an order from my doctor.  All they ask is who my doctor is so they can send them a copy of the report.  It has been like this for over 10 years.  I do not understand needing an order as most insurances pay for mammograms 100%.