Ok, so I am waiting for my stupid infusion on Wednesday...and in a lot of the same pain as yesterday. Then I get a call from RD nurse...um...your referral for visits and infusions have run out and we need them before Wednesday or we will have to cancel your appt until Friday next week. Ok...so isn't it the Rheumy's job to make sure all of the referral stuff is in and I can carry on with my appt.
Did it just expire or would I have had a huge bill that would not have been paid this week?????
I don't know what I will do if the referral doesn't get there by Wed. This is putting new meaning to feeling postal!!!!!
I slept a total of four hours last night, and dozed for an hour this afternoon. I am going back to see if I can ignore the pain to rest. Oh, and I thought when I described my pain level to him on the phone yesterday that he would write my vicodin 5/5oo and give me the option of taking two every four, but NO he wrote it for one every six...yep, been taking it every four. I may try to take two tonight...I can't survive with this disease and talk to my hubby about stuff going on and deal properly!!!
Mad as heck!!!!
Shoot, I just hate when that happens! A lot of times your doctor can get a same day referral from your insurance over the phone. I have had to do it numerous times and fortunately it has always worked out. I think one time i had to cancel a routine appointment but it was only delayed a week. good luck!Shelly - I am so sorry, I just came off ,000 in tests that they "forgot" to get pre-certification for. If we are suppose to avoid stress, they could help by doing their side of the work they are paid money to do.
This is being held hostage, tyranny, and fraud by medical providers. This is insanity. American medicine should be ashamed of itself.
awww Shelly Im soo sorry you have to deal w/ all this b.s. You would think that the dr would have noticed that when they scheduled your next infusion appointment. I hope they can get it all straightened out by Wed.
Shannon-yes I thought they would have seen it in the chart, but no.
Justsay and Deb...thanks for the sympathetic ear. The only thing that worries me is we are not only dealing with insurance it is the Military Insurance...they can take their time if they want. I also have to see if the "brand new" doc on base will sign off without seeing me. If he doesn't I am going to be furious!!! Military docs can sometimes be difficult.
Aw, babe, that is just the last straw. Geez. Put a fire under whomever you have to Shel, to get that referral stuff through in time. Red tape, just sucks.Shelly, I have Tricare also, Prime, husband retired military. I've been able to receive authorization for treatment within 24 hours. All the doctor's staff has to do is write urgent across the request and fax it to Tricare authorization. When it happens I call the next day and make sure it shows in the system and didn't get lost in cyber fax land. I've also gotten retro-active authorization when my ortho's office changed my appt. and put me beyond the authorization date.
I showed up for my appt. and they told me at the front desk that I couldn't be seen because authorization had expired. Considering it ws their fault, I refused to leave without seeing the doctor. Finally the office manager tried to intimidate me into rescheduling. She really made a mistake, because after I was finished with her I caught the doctor walking into the front office and I went through the closed door and in front of the office staff I explained nicely to him what had happened. I told him that I didn't think that he would want me to wait to be seen, since my surgery was scheduled for the following week. He firmly told his nurse that he would see me at the scheduled appointment that day. I thanked him and then nicely requested an apology from the office manager. They got a retro-active authorization and she grudgingly gave me an apology.
I would follow-up with Tricare authorization within 48 hours and make sure it's been logged into the system. Lindy
Hi Shelly, OK that's it!!!! I'm coming to Wyoming to beat them up!! See ya, LyndaCordy...yep...stars are not aligned for me this month!!!
Lindy...I am hoping the base doc doesn't pull any stuff about seeing me first. I love Tricare Prime for the most part(we are retired as well), but I just don't know how anal the new doc is going to be. If it was the old one...I would have had it today.
Lynda...please come...I need someone to beat the crap out of these people.
I also just noticed that I forgot to go get my premerin. I am on a very low dose and I moved tomorrow's pill to Sunday. I think I can skip tomorrow, I may be hot flashy, but oh well...my fault. (that's what I get for running around with hubby)
Shelly, that's the difference in our treatment. I don't use base docs because when we came to Yuma we weren't allowed to use base docs because they were to busy with active military due to deployment to Iraq and docs were at a premium because of Iraq. I'm much happier seeing a private RD. He's great and has helped me tremendously. I don't need the base doc referral because we're not allowed to use the base medical facilities even though my husband is a 30 year retired Coast Guard officer. We were stunned when we were told that. But it's worked out better for both of us. Lindy
ya know I wish that would happen to me. RD is in private practice, but I wish they would just let me go. I do have an appt. on Friday on base and I am going to ask for an internal med doc. I need someone to keep track of all the meds and be a point person for everyone. I have seen some very talented docs through the years, but the majority don't even want to see me. I am very hard to treat because of allergies.
Lin, what a coincidence, my hubby is a retired coastie as well! I have Tricare prime and I have to say, the have come through for me every step of the way so far. You should have no problem getting what you need, just be persistent
I have no complaints with tricare....I just want the referral in by Monday. I have to have that infusion. My fingers are hurting very badly tonight, and I have already taken one vicodin.
I am sorry, shelly. I know how frustrating it must be. I hope you get your infusion soon.
Huggs.
Hi Shelley, I wish you the very best of luck getting your referral on time, I don't know why whoever is responsible for sending it can't just fax it urgently. I will also offer to come and bash someone for you as I am on steroids like most of us on here and I believe we can get away with a lot of naughty things that are illegal because of the sTeroids!!!! Best of luck Shelley, (like you really need the stress). Dear Shelly, you are a smart woman you have good ideas and know your body. I hope you take hold of this 'thing' treatment, get the doc you think is best for you! take care, Lynda
Lynda, thank you for your vote of confidence. I felt like I used to be more in charge of my body, but lately...it seems to do what it darn well pleases. I HATE that.
Joonie---thanks for the well wishes. I do realize this is a bump in the road, but I do want to get more consistant with the infusions, 'cause I did feel slightly better with them.
Janie...Yep, I'd let you beat the crap out of them!! I will check on Monday to see what has happened. I actually have to go into the base clinic anyway, so I am going to go postal if it is not already done.
Shelley, I know I've said this before but it amazes me what you guys have to keep going through to get your meds... especially as you/insurance pays for it.
Everything is crossed that its all sorted for you by Monday.
Dont let the b-----ds grind you down.