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

I know it’s not exactly the same thing—I actually just did this myself the other day, so I figured I’d throw it out there just as an example... 🙂

I was wondering if anyone could help me out.
I emailed my request for an EMG at the Mayo Clinic back in late November. I scanned over my referral and everything, and they scheduled me for the end of March.
Since my original referral is now more than a month old, do you think I'll need to get a new one from my doctor, or does it still count?

So, I have a few questions...

I don't have any supplemental insurance, but I really need to get some dental work done. I was wondering if they would charge me for things like extractions or repairs?
not including the fillings, since I'm just paying for those myself anyway...

And one more thing—if I happen to lose my basic coverage, will I get some kind of notice in the mail?

Here's my situation...
I was registered with the unemployment office, but then I signed off because I was having a baby. After that, I didn't bother re-registering. I don't really see the point since I'm not looking to go back to work right now... I'd just be walking over there every month for no reason...

Betty Gray84 said:I could really use some advice here.
Back in late November, I emailed over my referral and everything to set up an EMG at the Mayo Clinic. They scheduled me for the end of March.
Since the original referral is more than a month old now, am I going to need a brand-new one, or does the date not really matter once you're on the schedule?

Your best bet is to just head back to your primary doctor and have them update the date on the current referral. Make sure they give it a fresh signature and stamp too.
Usually, those referrals are only valid for 30 days from the time they're issued.

Has anyone else ever had a hospital slap them with a bill for a test they never even took? I’m talking about a supplemental insurance claim here. I didn't undergo this procedure, so how on earth did they come up with this? It's not like someone swiped my insurance card, so I have absolutely no clue where they're getting this from! I don't even carry supplemental coverage right now, so I pay my way for every visit—full price. Specifically, I just got hit with a bill for a spirometry test. I’ve done that one single time in my entire life, and that was over a decade ago. Honestly, I am completely baffled! Of course I’m going to file a dispute, but I really just want to know why they sent me a fraudulent bill and if anyone else has dealt with this nonsense.

New code on the referral

I was wondering if that code is absolutely required on the referral now, specifically under the Notes section where there are just a few blank lines? Is it mandatory for that code to be written on the very bottom line of the Notes section on the referral? I recently scheduled my own specialist appointment at a hospital for four months from now, but my referral doesn't show an issue date at all, and that code isn't listed in the notes section either. The nurse who helped me schedule didn't even ask to see the referral when we booked; she just asked for my medical history. I did ask her if my referral was still valid since it was issued last year. She mentioned that the referral really should have that code, and she actually showed me another patient's referral from that same hospital for a specialist visit that *did* have the code. She told me mine was fine, it just lacked that specific code. My referral doesn't list an issuance date anywhere. She suggested I go back to my primary doctor so they can write the code on the referral and validate it with a stamp. She didn't mention anything about the issuance date, though. I guess I'm just not sure if it's even possible to add that code to the notes section after the fact. This new code starts with MSC, followed by some numbers, a slash, and then a whole string of other digits. I’d really love to use this referral if I can, just so I don't have to make another trip to see my GP.

Does a referral without that code even count? Earlier this month, I went to get a referral for a family member for a diagnostic test—a urine culture—and there wasn't any code on it at all. No one said a word about needing a code when we handed it in. And just recently, when my dentist gave me a referral for an oral surgeon, there wasn't a code on that one either, and it wasn't an issue. So, I'm a bit confused as to why this code is suddenly mandatory.

Does anyone happen to know if a referral from a primary care doctor for a specialist visit must have that code? Also, is a specialist referral still valid if it doesn't have an issuance date?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I need to get an MRI for my lower spine. I originally scheduled it at Holy Spirit because the wait time was pretty short, but a friend of mine who works as a nurse just warned me that their scanner is an older, weaker model. Since this scan is really important for monitoring my demyelination, I’d much rather go somewhere else with a high-field magnet to ensure we get the highest quality images possible.
I've been doing some digging online, but honestly, I'm just more confused than when I started.
Does anyone have any advice?

The most powerful 3T scanner in the country is over at the National Institute of Mental Health. I’m pretty sure they take Medicare. You should probably look into it.

lonefalcon41 said:The most advanced scanner in the US (3T) is at the National Institute of Mental Health. I believe they take Medicare. It might be worth looking into.

Thanks!
I have; however, since my budget is pretty tight right now, paying out of pocket isn't really an option. They told me at Neuron (that's the one at the National Institute of Mental Health) that there is an 11-month waiting list. That would be next year. On the other hand, I managed to get an appointment at Quest Diagnostics in just two months. I also checked with my neurologist, and he advised against going to Holy Spirit because their MRI machine is quite outdated, and he needs high-quality imaging.

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Thanks!
I am, though since my budget is pretty tight right now, paying out of pocket isn't really an option... They told me at Neuron (that's the one affiliated with the National Institute of Mental Health) that there is an 11-month wait. It would be sometime next year. However, I managed to snag an appointment at Quest Diagnostics in just two months. I also checked with my neurologist, and he advised against going to Holy Spirit because their MRI machine is outdated, and he needs high-quality imaging.

On a side note, I was reading up on the guidelines regarding the required strength for an MRI when diagnosing MS. It used to be recommended to use a 3T machine (like the one at Neuron), but they've moved away from that idea. It turns out the Tesla strength isn't the deciding factor as much as the software being used. For example, some 3T magnets actually have inferior software compared to a 1.5T machine, making a newer 1.5T model a better choice than an older 3T one. That said, the general recommendation is to ensure it is above 1.0T.

Regarding MRIs, does anyone know if there's a required waiting period between scans? Specifically, is there any medical reason I couldn't have an MRI of my head and then an MRI of my spine within the same week?

I have a quick question, and it’s a bit of an urgent matter for me.
For work, I need to provide proof of my Hepatitis B vaccination. The problem is, I’ve managed to lose my yellow immunization card somewhere along the line. Does anyone happen to know if it's possible to get a replacement certificate issued after the fact?

You can request your vaccination records directly from the facility where you received the shots. If they were administered during a routine school physical, get in touch with your school's health clinic. However, if you went through a local public health department, you'll need to contact them instead.

How can one go about verifying whether a doctor is actually licensed when there are rumors suggesting otherwise?
Where might I look to confirm this information?

Emily Bishop30 said:How am I supposed to verify if a doctor actually is who they say they are?
Where can I even look?

Medicare and the medical board

Thank you.
Do you think I could manage this without hiring an attorney?
Regarding the permit to operate the clinic...

For a medical practice to even open its doors, it needs to be fully cleared by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Then, if a doctor wants to run their own private practice without a group behind them, they have to hold a specific license issued by the medical board.
On top of that, to actually write prescriptions or issue referrals that get covered, they need a formal contract in place with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
It really just depends on which specific permit you're looking for, so your best bet is to send a formal written inquiry to the right agency.

Can anyone give me an idea of how long the wait is from submitting a referral to actually getting an appointment for a specific scan at Mayo Clinic? We aren't local to NYC, so we're a bit out of the loop. A friend turned in the referral about a month ago, and we still haven't heard anything, even though they said they'd call us with an update. Apparently, they prioritize based on urgency, but still...
I really wish they’d give us at least a rough estimate. I get that there will always be someone with a more urgent case, but a little heads-up would go a long way.

You’ll get an appointment immediately; it's highly likely your referral just vanished into thin air somewhere 😢 Just shoot an email to the central scheduling department here:

I was wondering if anyone could clarify whether it’s actually possible to walk into a private facility like Stele—or any similar outpatient clinic—and just request specific lab work on my own terms? I’m looking to get some routine testing done, specifically things like cholesterol levels and liver function tests, but I’d much rather just show up and pay out of pocket without having to wait for a primary care physician to write me a formal referral first. Does anyone have experience navigating this kind of thing? Thanks so much. 🙂