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

I suspect they are only valid for about a month.

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Karen Martin75 said:I think they’re only good for a month.

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Exactly.

Don't go calling me out on this, but if I remember correctly, it used to work like this: a referral for the Cardiovascular Center or similar tests was good for about 15 days—I think that was for those specific black lab slips—while other blood work lasted a month, and anything a specialist wrote directly on their own referral stayed valid for two months.

At least, that’s what I was told. I haven't a clue if they've changed the rules since then.

Will the outpatient clinics be operating under normal hours tomorrow?

Should be, it's a workday. 🙂

melloworca6 said:They probably should, since it's a workday. 🙂

Alright, thanks 🙂

I already posted this over on the Women's health board, but I haven't heard a peep back. Maybe I'll have better luck here 🙂
So, how does the scheduling work for getting hormone levels checked? If I call on day one of my cycle but actually need the bloodwork done on day two or three, is that enough notice? And where can I even go for this—is it strictly limited to hospitals, or can I go somewhere else? 🙂

Hey everyone,
I received a referral for blood work and some other tests back in December. My doctor didn't specify an expiration date or even include the exact date it was issued.
Do you think they'll still see me for my blood draw even though it's been over a month since it was written?

They told me I have to go ahead and schedule an appointment at the hospital for that red one...
Of course, they only dropped that bombshell on me while I was at LabCorp—and they didn't even specify which hospital! (The paperwork just says Endocrinology - Contraceptive Procedures, which is totally wrong because I have way more serious issues going on, but hey, to them, everything is just the same thing, right?). The woman there acted like I was supposed to be psychic or something... like I should just magically know what to do when neither my doctor nor the nurse ever actually explained anything to me!

Amanda Morgan67 said:Hey everyone,
I got a referral (back in December) for some blood work and a few other tests, but my doctor didn't specify an expiration date or even when it was actually issued.
Do you think they'll still see me for the blood draw if it's already been a month since it was written?

That referral needs to be valid on the day you actually show up for the testing..

If there isn't an issue date printed on it, the staff at the LabCorp will usually just fill that in themselves.

Depending on which lab you use and what kind of tests you need, you might need to book an appointment.
Your best bet is to give the lab you're planning to visit a quick call as soon as possible.

When a referral says "Endocrinology" but doesn't list a specific hospital, you can either go to a specialist near where you live or just book with the first available provider that accepts it.

For instance, if you're looking at a place like the Mayo Clinic, you typically have to see a doctor there first, and then they'll order the specific tests you need.

swiftbear86 said:If your referral says Endocrinology but doesn't specify which hospital, you can either go based on where you live or just try to book an appointment at the first place that’ll take you.

Ugh, honestly, what really got me worked up was that they didn't tell me—even though I actually asked! I didn't find out until I was already at the LabCorp... and then, of course, by that point, I couldn't get an appointment within the timeframe because there was a specific date listed on my referral. Just my luck, right?...

Amanda Morgan67 said:Hey everyone,
I got a red referral slip (back in December) for blood work and some tests, but the doctor didn't write down an expiration date or even when it was issued.
Do you think they'll still take me for my blood draw if it's already been a month since it was issued?

If there isn't a date on there, how is the LabCorp staff supposed to know when it was actually issued? Honestly, even if a date *was* written, a nurse could just cross it out with white-out, slap a stamp on it, and nobody would ever know.

Sarah Morris57 said:They told me regarding that red slip that I have to go schedule an appointment at the hospital first.
And of course, they only bothered telling me that once I was already at the lab! They didn't even specify which hospital—the slip just says "Endocrinology - Contraception Procedures," even though that’s not even what I'm in for; I have way more serious issues than that, but they act like it doesn't matter. The woman there acted like I was supposed to just magically know everything, but how am I supposed to know when neither the doctor nor the nurse said a single word to me?

Just go ahead and schedule it at whichever hospital you want.

Sarah Morris57 said:What really drove me crazy was that they didn't tell me, even though I specifically asked! I only found out once I was standing in the lab, and by then it was too late to get an appointment within the timeframe because, naturally, there was a date on the referral.

I don't understand why people make such a huge deal out of the date. Just erase it, let the nurse stamp it, and move on—it's not rocket science! Besides, you can just try to schedule the appointment regardless of the date; as long as it clearly states what service you need, the clerk at the window will just let you know if you need to get it extended or whatever.

How long has the Runjanin Community Health Center been open? Or more specifically, since when have they been accepting samples for sanitary testing? It’s incredibly urgent!!

Does anyone know if they might email the results over, or do I really have to show up in person to pick them up?
It’s just a bit inconvenient since I don't live in Washington, D.C. ....

I need to schedule my grandmother for a consultation with a neurosurgeon. The nurse we spoke to on the phone mentioned we should just send everything over via email... besides a scanned copy of the referral, what other details does the email actually need to include?

Look, it’s all right there on each individual clinic's website. Usually, they just need your full name, your Social Security number, your date of birth, and the specific specialist you're trying to see. Just Google it, people! 😁

lonefalcon41 As expressed by:
Well, if I were in your shoes, I would simply reach out to the doctor or the specialist who issued the referral and ask them exactly which facility you can visit using that authorization! Personally, I went to Quest Diagnostics to have my carotid Doppler performed using a referral, and it was quite straightforward once I asked. 🙂

Thanks Daisy, I just finished up my appointment at Quest Diagnostics!

I find myself wondering where else I might go to get an ENT consultation, besides the Trnje Health Center!
I find that the scheduling at both the Trnje Health Center and the clinic in Aurora just doesn't align with my availability at all! It’s such a hassle when you're trying to stay on top of things. Does anyone happen to know of any other locations where I could go that offer free services with a referral?

I wonder if it’s actually possible for someone else—like my mom or dad—to take my enrollment verification to renew my supplemental benefits for this year. I have the verification on hand, though it’s probably a little over a month old now, so I guess there might be a chance they'll accept it, but I'm not sure. I’m in a bit of a rush since I won't be a student much longer, and honestly, I really don't want to deal with the hassle of trying to sort this out all the way from rural Alaska if there's any way someone else can just handle it for me.

Greetings from Finland. 😬

Gregory Rogers20 said:Thanks Daisy, I already went to Quest Diagnostics.

Now I’m wondering where else I can go for an ENT exam (besides the Trnje Health Center)?
The scheduling at Trnje and Aurora just doesn't work for me. Does anyone know any other spots where I can get this done for free using my referral?

Any hospital will do.

steelowl said:Is it actually possible for someone else—like my mother or father—to take my enrollment verification and renew my supplemental benefits for this year? I already have my proof of enrollment on hand, even though it’s about a month old now, so do you think they might still accept it? I am in quite a rush because my student status is about to expire, and I really don't want to deal with the absolute nightmare of trying to sort this out all the way from the far north if there is any way at all for someone else to handle it for me.

Greetings from Finland! 😬

Yes, absolutely! My mother handled the supplemental filing for me, for herself, and for my father. Since it worked for them, I imagine the process for students should be exactly the same...