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

Samuel Phillips3 said:Hi there. My health insurance coverage just lapsed, but I'm an honors student and really need to get it extended. Can someone please tell me what my next steps should be?

Hello,

Please direct your inquiry to this thread (just click the link). Our member Zikomid handles these matters and will provide you with a professional, accurate response.

I’ve been scheduled for a follow-up regarding my extrapyramidal disorders, but the paperwork only lists the date and doesn't specify a time. I can't quite remember what the deadline is for submitting referrals... I really want to avoid showing up at the last minute, especially after that nightmare last time. They told me to be there at 9:00 AM, just like everyone else, and I ended up sitting there waiting until 12:30 PM. It was exhausting. So, I'm just trying to find out how long they will continue to accept referrals

Quick question for you guys.
So I just left my endocrinologist over at the Mayo Clinic.
They want me to get bloodwork done in 10 days, then follow up with more tests on day 15 and 17.
Basically, the doctor ordered a whole laundry list:
p4, fsh, lh, e2, prl... plus a dexamethasone suppression test, t4, tsh, anti TPO, and a 2-hour insulin test.

Here's what's tripping me up—some of those hormones have to be checked during days 2 through 5 of my cycle. So, do I just show up and handle those specific ones when my cycle hits, or does the clinic schedule everything all at once?

Does anyone have any clue how you actually manage to book a follow-up appointment at the Mayo Clinic?

I tried sending an email to the central scheduling address—total disaster, the delivery failed immediately.

Then I called the office of the surgeon who handled my fibroadenoma surgery, and the nurse just snaps at me right away, saying, "You need to call the outpatient clinic down the line." Like, thanks for the tip, lady.

So, I call the surgical department number (let's say 212-555-0199), and I've been sitting here for three straight hours now—just a constant busy signal.

I try the other scheduling number (maybe 212-555-0122), and again, three hours wasted. Not a single soul picks up. Just silence on the other end.

What kind of ridiculous game am I supposed to play to actually get this exam scheduled? 😕

Does anyone know a third number that actually works? Or maybe a reliable email address that won't bounce back?

Is there some specific window of time when they actually answer the phones, or is it just pure chaos all day?

The oncology center is actually part of the Mayo Clinic system. You should try reaching out to them directly via their email address.

Does anyone know if I actually need to book an appointment for the surgical clinic over at Rib? Last time I swung by, they just saw me without one, but honestly, it’s been ages since then...

lonefalcon41 said:The Mayo Clinic is actually part of the local University Hospital system... you might want to try reaching out to them via email.

Just three days ago, I finally got an appointment at the University Hospital for those three checkups I asked for... back about six months ago. 😬
Last week, after being tired of waiting, I just went down to the hospital and scheduled it myself in person.

I honestly can't decide what's worse—the fact that I waited half a year (it wasn't an emergency, since I needed it anyway for early next year, but still...) or the realization that when you go to hospitals expecting politeness, you mostly just get met with attitude.

Though... about a year ago, this incredibly sweet and professional lady at the front desk really saved my day by giving me some info I hadn't even thought to ask for...

So, yeah... that's how the online booking thing works...

I've got bloodwork scheduled for tomorrow—progesterone check, day 21 of my cycle—but my throat is killing me and I've got a bit of a fever at 98.6. Does this mess up the results?

I don't think so... even if you did, it’s better to just do it right rather than finding out later that it didn't matter and you already missed day 21. 🙂

Sandra Brooks91 said:I don't think so... Honestly, instead of just making it happen, you should probably find out if it even matters. You already missed day 21. 🙂

Thanks!
Just went to get some blood drawn, so we'll see what they find.

I've got one more question—I need to head in for a follow-up this month to show my results to the endocrinologist. Do I actually need a referral from my primary care doctor for that?

Yes, you'll need a referral from your primary care physician for every single checkup.

Sandra Brooks91 said:Yeah, you need a referral from your primary care doctor for every single checkup..

thanks ;-)

If you're going back for a follow-up within a month of your initial appointment (or checkup), I believe you only need to bring the referral for the first visit. I guess that rule still holds true today, maybe.

mistyjackal842 said:If you have a follow-up appointment within a month of your initial exam (or previous checkup), you usually only need to bring the referral the first time. I'm pretty sure that rule still applies today.

Is there actually some specific law or regulation that states this? I want to know if I can officially cite it. Thanks!

I'm not really sure about that specific law. I mean, maybe you should just ask your sister where she goes for her follow-ups? A few years back, my sister mentioned to me that if I was scheduled for a checkup—like seeing an ophthalmologist at the hospital—within two weeks of my last appointment, I didn't need to bring a new referral because the old one was still valid. But, if the follow-up was set for a month out, then yeah, I had to grab a new referral. I guess I don't know if any regulations have changed since then. I do remember reading on a forum about a year ago that things were still working that way, though.

Where should I go for the Emergency Room in Washington, D.C.?

I don't live in NYC, but I'd probably head to the closest facility. Or if it’s a total emergency, just go to whichever one you can reach first.

The issue is I'm not even sure where to find one, 🤣 since I'm not originally from NYC. I went to the Sisterhood of Mercy hospital, and managed to get through my checkup and tests in less than an hour. All credit goes to the doctors in the urology department. 👍

Kyle Martin3 Asks:
The problem is that I don't even know where to find one. 🤣 I'm not even from NYC. I ended up at the Sisterhood of Mercy hospital, and managed to get through all my exams and tests in less than an hour. My sincere thanks to the doctors in the urology department. 👍

Let me ask one more silly question;

If I received an examination at the Emergency Room mentioned above, and the results state...

Once therapy is complete, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician in the US.

Where should I go for my checkup? Should I see my primary care physician, or head to the Sisterhood of Mercy? 🤔

I’m looking to see a dermatologist. I know I need to hit up my primary care doctor first to get a referral... who actually handles that paperwork?