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

In short—yes.

By the way, is there actually a directory somewhere that lists all the specialists? 🙂

What happens if I travel abroad and end up getting sick or getting into a car wreck or something?

From what I understand, our health insurance covers us in Canada, Germany, Italy, and a few other places. I know it’s useless in the USA, Canada, and most other countries.

I want to know if my coverage is automatic in Canada, Germany, Canada, Austria, and Italy—meaning I can just flash my insurance card—or if I need to visit Medicare before I leave to request an international health card, similar to how you have to go to AAA to get an international driver's license?

Where are you getting the idea that our insurance covers us abroad? I mean, whenever I travel, I just grab some travel health insurance and call it a day. No stress.

Roger Sanders said:What happens if I travel abroad and get sick or end up in a car wreck or something?

From what I know, our health insurance works in Canada, Germany, Italy, and a few other places. I know it definitely doesn't work in the USA, Canada, or most other countries.

I'm wondering if my coverage is automatic in Canada, Germany, Canada, Austria, and Italy—like, can I just show my insurance card, or do I need to visit Medicare before the trip to get an international health card? Is it like having to go to AAA to get an international driver's license?

I'm not sure about Canada, whether we have some kind of agreement where things are covered there, but I'm pretty sure none of those other countries you listed recognize our insurance. Man, if my insurance actually worked in somewhere like Germany, I'd be the first one heading over there for medical treatment.😁

We always just grabbed an Austrian pass whenever we headed out that way... 🤷
When it comes to Canada, we usually just wing it since those trips are pretty quick anyway. 🙂

Basically, $33 health insurance is just peace of mind—you pay your premium and you don't have to worry about it.

Does anyone happen to know—my doctor sent me over to get some bloodwork done at the local community clinic, specifically a CBC and a full panel, plus PT and PTT levels... my question is, does it matter if I go to the neighborhood clinic or a major facility like Mayo Clinic for those specific tests? Also, is it okay to have my blood drawn if I'm currently on my period?
Please, please help me out here. I’ve got a 3.5-month-old baby at home, so my schedule is basically non-existent, and I really can't afford to be running around aimlessly all day—especially since nobody seems to be answering the phones down at the clinic either!
Seriously, any info would be a lifesaver...
Thanks so much!! 🙂

Frank Parker2 said:Does anyone know—my OB sent me to get bloodwork done at the local clinic, specifically a CBC plus coagulation tests and clotting time... I'm wondering if I need to go to the community health center or a private clinic for all of this? Also, is it okay to have my blood drawn while on my period??
Please, please help! I have a 3.5-month-old baby and zero time to be running around aimlessly, especially since nobody ever answers the phone down there!!!
Please, please...
And thanks!! 🙂

If she didn't specify that you need one test at the public clinic and another at a private one, you probably just need to head to the health center...

Quick question. I recently saw a private OB-GYN, and she gave me a list of all the tests I need—hormone panels plus blood and urine work. She told me to grab the referrals from my primary care physician. Well, I went to see my doctor today, and she’s insisting she can't write the referral for those hormone tests just because I'm over 18. (She did give me the ones for blood and urine, though.) Then she basically sent me right back to my gynecologist. Can a private doctor even write a referral?
And is it actually true that my GP isn't allowed to give me that kind of referral anymore because I'm an adult?

Maybe your OB-GYN covered by Medicaid could take a look?

velvetcobra23 said:I’ve got a question. I recently saw a private OB-GYN, and she gave me a list of tests I need—hormone stuff plus blood and urine work—and told me to get the referrals from my primary care doctor. Well, I went to see my GP today, and she’s claiming she can't give me a referral for those hormone tests just because I'm over 18. (She did give me the ones for blood and urine, though.) She basically sent me right back to my gynecologist. Can a private doctor even write a referral?
And is it actually true that my GP isn't allowed to give me that kind of referral anymore since I'm an adult?

Your primary care doc can't handle the referral for hormone testing (sex hormones). You'd need to see a "network" gynecologist—basically someone working at a community health center who’s in-network with Medicare.

I just picked up my file from my OB-GYN covered by Medicare, and I've got some paperwork that needs to be officially verified at the Medicare office.

Does anyone know how the process works or what the wait times are looking like? I was hoping to knock this out before heading into work—just wondering if I can squeeze it in or if I should probably just request the day off.

Thanks! 🙂

You’ll be looking at an hour tops, certainly not the entire day. 😉

Hvaaaalaaaa you 😘

Ugh. Is this even worth my time? 😬

Hannah Long72 said:Thanks so much, 😘

Man, do I even really need to go there? 😬

Basically, you just head to the local Medicare office based on where you live.
If you're feeling unsure about it, just check in with your doctor.
You can find a full list of their regional offices right on the Medicare website.

Alal, man, you’re a real one! 🙏

Hannah Long72 said:Alal, you’re a real one! 🙏

I try my best.
Thanks.

Hey everyone, quick question—my health insurance just expired, and since I’m actually doing pretty well in school right now, I really need to get it renewed ASAP. Does anyone know what steps I should take to get this sorted out?