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

granitegardener said:What is the standard procedure here regarding specialists under Medicare when they refer a patient for surgery? Does the specific doctor who referred you actually perform the operation, or is it simply whoever happens to be the surgeon on call in the operating room that day?
About ten years ago, I underwent an orthopedic procedure on my ankle, and the exact same physician performed the surgery (at the Brooklyn hospital). However, I am currently facing an ENT issue at the Rib clinic, and I neglected to ask whether my primary doctor will be the one handling the actual procedure.

Generally speaking, they tend to schedule their own patients for their own procedures.

How long does supplemental insurance actually need to be active before you can go in for surgery? I don't want to pay up for extra coverage today only to head into an operation tomorrow. I've heard there’s some kind of waiting period—maybe one month or three months or something like that?

Does anyone happen to know if you need to make an appointment for blood work at the Vineyard Health Center (specifically the endocrinology lab) given how things are right now? Usually, I just show up super early and wait my turn, but since things aren't exactly "business as usual" lately, I figured it’s probably better to check ahead of time before making the trip...

I'm planning on switching dentists soon, and I was told I need to fill out some paperwork at their office first and then drop it off at Medicare. I'm wondering if the process has changed at all lately given everything with the pandemic? I know some Medicare matters are being handled electronically now.

Elizabeth Brown90 said:Does anyone happen to have any intel regarding whether you need to make an appointment for blood work at the Broadway endocrine lab given everything going on lately? Normally, I know the drill—just show up as early as possible and wait your turn—but things aren't exactly "normal" right now, so I figured it’s better to ask before making the trip.

By the way, did you manage to find out what the situation is like over there? I was actually planning to ask the exact same thing myself—though I’ve been putting it off for months because, quite frankly, I can't stand those cramped, crowded hallways of theirs. Thanks!

David Flores68 said:I'm planning on switching dentists, and they told me I need to fill out some paperwork at their office first and then take it over to Medicare. I was wondering if the process has changed at all because of everything going on with the pandemic? I know some of the Medicare stuff is being handled electronically now.

Honestly, just try hitting them up via email—they'll get back to you with the details. I had to sort some stuff out back in March, and I just scanned all my documents and sent them off—everything got cleared up without a hitch. 😁

Health Centers

I need to get some tests done this week after a long hiatus, so I'm wondering about the current COVID protocols. Since the clinic I visit is pretty cramped—and used to be absolutely packed right when they opened at 7 AM—do people still crowd in together, or has the process changed?

Apologies to the moderators; wasn't sure which sub to post this in.

From what I’ve seen here in Washington, D.C....
The local health centers are basically locked down—you can't just walk right in like you used to.
You actually have to wait outside in the open air, and then a nurse or one of the doctors will come out to meet you.
If you need an exam or a consultation, they’ll let you inside to the hallway—but only after you've sanitized your hands and had your temperature checked.

Thanks

Has anyone happened to be over by Rib lately? I'm wondering—in a worst-case scenario—how long the wait might be outside the containers; I need to head into the clinic in the white building. Thanks in advance!

coppergardener said:Has anyone happened to be at Rib lately? I am wondering what the longest possible wait might be in front of those triage containers; I need to visit the clinic in the white building. Thank you in advance!

Which white building are you referring to? Is it the oldest one, or perhaps the one situated right next to the green building?

And where exactly are these triage containers located? Are they spread out across several spots, or does it depend on which hospital department a patient needs to visit?

Nicholas Wells74 said:Which white building are you talking about? The oldest one, or the one leaning against the green building?

Where are these triage containers located? Or are they spread out across different spots depending on which hospital department the patient is being sent to?

Up higher—the one resting against the green building. That specific structure is actually what everyone calls the "white building." There are several of them, though; they’re all marked clearly on the map over on the hospital's website.

coppergardener said:It’s actually up there, the one right next to the green building. That specific one is what everyone calls the "white building." There are actually a few of them, and you can see all of them marked out on the map on the Mayo Clinic website.

I was actually there just last week, and honestly, they make every single patient go through triage first. If you show up at the green building around 9:00 AM on a Friday, just be prepared to sit there for at least 45 minutes. The line by the white building seemed a little shorter, but I wouldn't count on waiting any less than 45 minutes regardless. My little tip if you have a bunch of stuff to get done is to do your triage over at the green building first, then when you're heading out, make sure you grab another slip so you can walk straight into the white building—that way you won't have to wait in that second line. Also, there was basically no line at all over by the nuclear wing.

Hey everyone, I was wondering if I could just go get my blood work done at a different local clinic since I recently moved, or am I stuck? My doctor uploaded my referral to the online portal and told me I have to visit her specific clinic to get it handled, but that’s a bit of a trek now.

Back in December, I scheduled a follow-up appointment with my ophthalmologist. It was supposed to take place today, but I just received a call informing me that the doctor is out sick and the appointment needs to be pushed back to next week. While we were on the line, I took the opportunity to ask if my current referral would still be valid... and she informed me that it wouldn't, claiming they are only good for eight months and that I’ll need to request a new one. I was under the impression that once a referral is placed, it remains valid for an entire year... especially since this was an A2 referral processed electronically by my primary care physician. It seems rather peculiar to me that the window is limited to just eight months...

Sandra Johnson78 said:I stopped by last week—keep in mind, everyone has to go through triage first. Even at 9:00 AM on a Friday, there was a 45-minute wait outside the green building. Now, the line in front of the white building seemed a bit shorter, but honestly? Don't expect anything less than a 45-minute wait there either. If you have multiple things to take care of, my advice would be to handle the triage at that location first, then—and this is key—make sure to ask for another slip as you’re leaving that building so you can head straight into the white building without having to wait all over again. Oh, and there was absolutely no line in front of the nuclear wing.

Thanks! I'm actually at Rebro right now—I waited about 12 minutes at the container, and the wait right in front of the white building was incredibly brief.

coppergardener said:Thanks! I was just checking out Rebro online, and honestly, I ended up waiting at the container for about 12 minutes, though it was super quick once I got right up to the white building.

That’s such a relief to hear, especially since I’ve got to head back there again tomorrow. What time did you end up going?

Sandra Johnson78 said:That is wonderful news—truly! Since I happen to be heading back there again tomorrow, I must ask... what time did you all manage to get there?

I arrived at the facility just a little after 11:00 AM.

Hey everyone, does anyone know what the situation is over at Memorial Hermann? Are they running triage outside right now, and if so, how long are the wait times? Thanks!

Jonathan Johnson22 said:Back in December, I scheduled a follow-up appointment with my ophthalmologist. It was supposed to happen today, but they just called to tell me the doctor is out sick and we have to push it back to next week. While I had them on the line, I asked if my referral was still valid, and they told me no—apparently, they're only good for eight months, so I need a new one. Wait, isn't the rule that once you place an order, the referral stays valid for a full year?? This was an A2 referral sent over digitally by my primary care doctor. It feels a little weird to me that it expires after only eight months...

They told me my referral was still totally fine, even though the kid was scheduled way back in October at Rebro