Laura Barnes said:I didn't make it clear—this was about choosing a specific OBGYN, not just some routine specialist visit via a referral.
So, you call your sister, tell her you're in intense pain and experiencing light bleeding, and ask when she can squeeze you in. And then, because it's an emergency, she manages to get you in somewhere. Is that how this works now?
Megan Wells8, you know how it works with a general practitioner. You have to show up with a pre-packaged list of symptoms and reasons, and then you really have to sell it if you want to get that referral... Lawrence Alvarez2, wait, is he really the only doctor in town?
You can't really do it all online yet. Sure, doctors might reply to an email, but getting a full prescription cycle going requires more than that. If you just need a refill, I know you can sometimes just call it in, but for a first-time script? You’re definitely going to need to see a physician in person. They aren't exactly in the business of writing prescriptions from a distance. 🙂
It’s always better to run a specific search if it's non-invasive—assuming blood draws aren't actually an issue. Plus, if he's dealing with anemia and needs frequent testing lately, you really need to make sure he's eating well. 😉
Being in your 40s doesn't make you old 😁 Markers are usually ordered once a growth is detected, but honestly, you can get them done privately at almost any lab. I believe the cost is around $30 per test. You just tell them what you're worried about, and they'll suggest the right marker—or you could just do a little Googling yourself 🙂. Why wait?
Michelle Harris19 said:I managed to snag an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic relatively quickly last year...🙂 so you might want to give them a call and see what happens.🙂
They told me I have to clear an initial screening with one of their own doctors first.
It’s likely your primary care physician or a doctor who can actually check the schedule on their computer. Your other option is to just reach out to everyone directly and see what they have to say. Unless someone on this forum happens to be psychic, I have no idea how anyone could give you a straight answer to 🙂. Pure guesswork at this point—my guess? It might be a fractured rib 🙂
If money is no object, I’d suggest seeing Dr. Michael Ries; $167 he’ll perform the exam. Given how things look, you’ll probably just end up needing some nasal drops. 😁
You're looking for a referral anyway, whether it's a blank one or specifically for a certain facility, so just find a blank one, get it ordered, and go whenever you can snag an earlier appointment.
Sure, just make sure to mention that the wait times for an appointment are ridiculous. They either give you nothing at all regarding a date, or if you actually manage to secure a slot, you're expected to show up for your referral within a month. Does that sound reasonable to anyone else? 😉
Honestly, I think everything should be free. Since you’re already entitled to one visit per year through Medicare, isn't the only reason people pay just because they can't stand waiting? If you want to skip the line, you pay. Simple as that.
Your primary care physician handles your referrals. They can also point you toward a specialist in your local area if you don't already have a doctor you trust.