Info Desk [Paperwork, ordering, wait times, procedures, booklets, prescriptions...]

Do your local GPs have email addresses, and do they actually use them?
My partner stays with his doctor at the Maksimir Health Center in NYC (where his parents also go for most of their care due to age and health issues) because that physician uses email for almost everything. For instance, after an exam or a lab review, he’ll just email the results, and then send the prescription directly to the pharmacy so we don't have to physically bring paperwork back and forth...
I’m over in New York City at the Siget Health Center, and my doctor refuses to use email for absolutely anything.
It would be so much faster and easier if I could just email him a sick note and have him send the prescription over, rather than having to drive all the way there every single time. Or even just getting blood test results. I know I still have to show up in person for controlled substances, but handling the other stuff via email would be such a lifesaver.
How does it work with your doctors?

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Do your GPs have email? And if so, do they actually use it?
My boyfriend stays with his doctor at the Maksimir Health Center (NYC)—his parents go there too since they deal with quite a bit due to age and health issues—because the doc uses email for almost everything. Basically, after an exam or a lab test, he’ll just email the results, then send the prescription straight to the pharmacy. No need to physically lug paperwork around...
I’m over in New York City at the Siget Health Center, and my doctor refuses to touch email under any circumstances.
It would be so much faster and easier if I could just email a sick note and get a prescription sent over, instead of having to drive out to see him every single time. Or even blood work results. I know I still have to show up for certain things, but handling the rest via email would be a lifesaver.
How does it work with your doctors?

Mine uses email, and it’s fantastic.
I just send an email to request refills so I don't have to call them constantly.
It works for prescriptions too; I just send the email and they're ready waiting at the pharmacy.
A total game changer.

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Do your GPs actually use email?
My boyfriend is still seeing his doctor (who also handles everything for his parents since they're older and dealing with health issues) over at the Maksimir Health Center in NYC, mainly because that doc actually uses email to get stuff done. Like, after an exam or getting test results back, he just emails them over, and then the doctor sends the prescription straight to the pharmacy. No need to drive all the way there with a stack of papers...
Meanwhile, I'm in New York City—at the Siget Health Center—and my doctor refuses to touch email for any reason whatsoever.
It would be so much easier and faster if I could just email him my medical history and have him send the script, instead of having to hunt him down every single time. Or even blood work results. I know I still have to show up for referrals, but handling the other stuff via email would be amazing.
How are the GPs in your area handling this?

It really depends on which doctors are using it. But, obviously, just like everywhere else, you've got those "scumbags" who would totally abuse an email system. Also, per the new privacy laws (GDPR), they technically aren't supposed to be emailing lab results. As for blood work—unless it was done in a hospital, doesn't that usually go to your email anyway? And regarding prescriptions—can't you just call it in and have it waiting for you at the pharmacy? Honestly, I think it depends more on the nurses and the specific doctor. Some offices even have this posted:
Ordering medication via automated voice system

ORDERING MEDICATIONS BY PHONE

Dear patients,

We know your time is precious. To make ordering your maintenance medications easier, please call our office number at

01 / 444 00 38

to place your order.

Once connected, select option 1 for your clinic. After the tone, please leave a clear message with your full name, date of birth, and the names of the medications you need. If you're ordering for multiple family members, you can do it all in one call—just be sure to specify which meds are for whom.

NOTE:

You can only order routine maintenance therapy (for example, antibiotics cannot be ordered by phone!), nor can you order new prescriptions based on recent medical histories.

If you are currently receiving inpatient hospital treatment, we cannot prescribe therapy for you; you will receive it directly from the hospital.

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Do your local community groups have an email address; do they actually use it?
My boyfriend ended up staying at his doctor's office—where his parents go too since they handle most of their stuff there due to age and health issues—over at the Maksimir Health Center in NYC because that specific doc actually uses email.

Can you shoot me a private message with the doctor's last name? My current one (also over at the Maksimir Health Center) is being totally unhelpful, and honestly, I think it's finally time I move on from her. To her, making people wait four hours is just no big deal. At least the lab at Maksimir is actually efficient and sends results out just a few hours after the tests are done.

Anyone know where I can get a gastroscopy done with the shortest wait time in Washington, D.C.?
Does any private clinic actually accept referrals?

Bradley Nelson2 said:Does anyone know where I can get a gastroscopy done in Washington, D.C. with the shortest wait time?
Do any private clinics actually take insurance referrals?

Maybe try Saint Catherine in Columbus.
For private options—maybe check out Quest Diagnostics.

Greetings,

Perhaps this is a foolish question—but does anyone know... in the short term (say, a week or two), I’ve experienced hair loss in one specific area of my scalp. Is there an urgent dermatology service available in Washington, D.C. that could examine me and offer advice, so I don't have to wait until all my hair is gone?
I am aware that private clinics exist, but I have no idea who is actually working during these ridiculous holidays... I am afraid to wait any longer.

Thank you!

Hey there,
Has anyone here ever actually paid their co-pay after a checkup at the Downtown Health Center, but specifically used the barcode on the bill? I'm trying to figure out what information is actually required to get it processed correctly. Thanks!

The radiology departments at the health centers in Washington, D.C. (at least the ones under the Downtown Health Center umbrella) don't have an email address—they won't take appointments via email, and you can never get anyone on the phone. Why don't they offer email scheduling? Is it just easier for them to deal with the constant phone traffic instead?
It’s basically a way to force you to show up in person just to book an appointment.
And obviously, the most efficient thing to do is visit a clinic near your home or somewhere along your commute, especially for those of us who don't live right next to the major hospitals...

Hey guys

My dad had a heart attack over in Germany, and after they resuscitated him, he ended up in a coma. It looks like it’s going to be permanent at this point.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on what to do next?
I need to arrange medical transport back to the States, but I have no clue what the process looks like.
He can't survive without constant medical care.
Since I'm living in Vienna, I really need some advice on where to start or who to call first.

If anyone has any tips at all, I would seriously appreciate it.
I'm feeling pretty lost right now.

Thanks

I’m guessing this has probably been asked a hundred times already, but I can’t seem to find anything
Does an A3 red referral for lab work actually hold any value?
I read somewhere that A referrals are good for 90 days, but I’m not totally sure if that same rule applies to labs too.

Man, where am I supposed to get an emergency hematology checkup done in the middle of this whole pandemic mess? Every single person I call gives me the exact same runaround—they won't see me because of some ridiculous directive coming out of the Czech Republic

Hey everyone, quick question for you—I used one referral to book appointments at three different hospitals just to see which one has the shortest wait time... but here's the thing: I can only actually use that one referral for one appointment, right? Not all three?

Paul Evans39 said:Hello everyone, I have a rather trivial question for the group. I have gone ahead and scheduled appointments at three different hospitals using a single referral just to see which one might have the shortest waiting list. My question is this: am I restricted to visiting only one of those locations with that single referral? I assume I cannot use it for all three, correct?

Typically, you can only use it for one.

Keith Gonzalez said:Otherwise, just one.

So does "otherwise" mean I could actually hit all three appointments this time? And once the checkup is done, do the doctors keep the referrals, or am I still holding onto them?

Paul Evans39 said:Does "otherwise" imply that I might actually be able to get all three exams done this time? And once the checkup is over, do the doctors keep the referral, or am I supposed to hold onto it?

I suppose you can just keep the referral. If it’s already been cleared through the system, it shows as used, so you won't be able to schedule anything else with it.

So, just one checkup and I'm done. Thanks, everyone!

Paul Evans39 said:Does the word "otherwise" suggest that one might actually be able to complete all three examinations this time around? Furthermore, once the check-ups are finished, do the physicians typically retain the referral forms, or am I permitted to keep them for my own records?

It suggests that, at present, many hospitals have suspended their standard outpatient clinic services. 😁

Hello. Can anyone tell me if all ambulances undergo disinfection when responding to a patient who doesn't have COVID-19—someone who just fell ill from something else entirely? Also, are the entire crew—and I mean the doctor, the driver, and the technician—always required to wear full protective gear?

Is the ambulance service safe for other patients?

velvetbear372 said:Hi there. Could someone please clarify if all ambulances undergo full disinfection when they're responding to a call for a patient who doesn't have COVID-19—someone who's just feeling unwell due to some other issue? Also, are the entire crew—meaning the doctor, the driver, and the technician—always required to wear full protective gear?

Is the ambulance service safe for everyone else?

The vehicle is only disinfected if they've picked up a patient where COVID has been confirmed or is at least suspected; it's the exact same protocol for the crew's protective suits—they only suit up if there's a confirmed case or a strong suspicion of infection.