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

People are constantly asking where they can get their thyroid hormone levels checked without jumping through all the hoops of scheduling an appointment beforehand. So, here’s the lowdown:

I think I saw someone mention on another thread that starting September 1st, we’re required to see doctors within our own county's hospital system? Is that actually true? Because I have a neurologist in the next county over—and honestly, she is just way better than any doctor I could find in my own area....

Kimberly Palmer22 said:Quick question—I just got my referral to get my thyroid hormone levels checked over at the Mayo Clinic, and I was wondering if I actually need to make an appointment beforehand, or if I can just show up and get it done?
Thanks.

For a few months now, they’ve been telling everyone they really ought to call ahead and schedule a slot. Usually, you’ll get a date within about a week of calling. Still, you always see people trying to wing it by just showing up unannounced, claiming they didn't know or some other excuse, and somehow, the staff ends up squeezing them in anyway.

Even if you do book an appointment and have a specific time set, don't expect things to run like clockwork; you’ll likely end up waiting in line downstairs in the basement, so definitely budget plenty of time for the whole ordeal. It isn't quite the experience where you're scheduled for 9:00 and you're stepping into the doctor's office at exactly 9:00. Bring a bottle of water or something to keep you occupied, because it can get pretty stuffy down there. In my experience, I spent about an hour waiting downstairs only to spend about five minutes with the doctor upstairs, though I think everything went fine since I had an actual appointment. If they give you referrals for ultrasounds or other tests, I’d highly recommend checking whether you can do those right then and there or if you need to schedule a separate visit, because waiting for an ultrasound can easily take a couple of months.

Where can I get a gastroscopy done ASAP? I really want to be sedated for it. Also, does anyone know if they use that pill you swallow that basically makes you poop everything out afterward? That's what I heard...

Can someone break down the difference between a GP working at a public clinic versus a doctor in Private General Practice? If I go private, am I paying out of pocket for every single checkup, referral, and prescription, even if I have supplemental insurance? What exactly am I paying for at a private clinic? It’s all a bit confusing. 🤷

Regarding that upcoming doctors' strike—I’ve got an appointment scheduled at the Mayo Clinic in the hematology department this Thursday.
It’s not like I’m an emergency case or anything, but I’ve been waiting three months just to get this slot. So, what now?
If I actually show up, what are the odds they'll even see me? What am I even going to be told?

They'll probably transfer you sometime in the near future. Just head over there and ask them directly.

quietfox384 said:Regarding this looming doctors' strike—I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic in hematology this Thursday.
It’s not an emergency, but I waited three months for this slot. Now what?
If I actually show up, what are the odds they even see me? What's the move?

Let me know how it goes! I’m scheduled for hematology at Mayo Clinic next week, so I need to know what I'm walking into if this strike drags on... I’ll probably call them the day before so I don't waste a trip to NYC for nothing, but hey, if you hear anything, let me know... Thanks! 😉

Alright, I'll let you know.
Since I'm still in Washington, D.C. for the rest of the week, heading over to the Mayo Clinic isn't much of a hassle—I'll definitely make the trip up there just to see the situation for myself.
However, once next week hits, I won't be in D.C. anymore, and frankly, it’s going to be a massive headache if I have to fly back to the capital just for this.
It wouldn't even be such a big deal if we weren't dealing with months of waiting for an appointment... then you're left wondering when they'll actually bother calling you back in.

Thanks. I’m out in the Midwest, so it’s way too expensive just to drive all that way and get turned away at the door! I don't know which doctor you're seeing, but you should check if they're actually striking or if it's just everyone walking off the job. I’m seeing Dr. Kindra.

Oh, and I’ve got an appointment scheduled for September after being bumped to the 4th month. I’ve already finished all my tests, and now they really need to push me back... I just hope this stupid strike wraps up soon.

Since this will be my very first time visiting the Mayo Clinic, I’m honestly a bit unsure about the doctors there—I just don't know what to expect from the experience. I’ve been trying to do as much research as possible beforehand to get a sense of things. As it turns out, I managed to get lucky with the scheduling; I booked my appointment back in June for a slot this September.

First timer, huh? Usually, people are booking their slots about three months out. I was already four months along when I went in, so my doctor just told me to swing back by the end of September, and they automatically scheduled me for that window... We'll see how it plays out for you. Anyway, you aren't seeing my doctor because she only runs her clinic on Wednesdays and Fridays. 😉

Good luck, and let me know if you find anything out! Best.

mellowcobra82 said:Can someone help me make sense of the difference between a primary care doctor at a community health center (like the "public" kind) and a private general practitioner? If I go to a private doctor, do I have to pay out of pocket for every single visit, referral, or prescription—even if I already have supplemental insurance? What exactly am I paying for at a private clinic? It’s all a bit confusing. 🤷

The main thing to look for is whether the doctor is in-network with Medicare. It doesn't actually matter if their office is part of a big community health center or just a small private practice; if they take Medicare, they're "in."

If you're seeing an in-network provider, your coverage should kick in and handle the costs.

swiftbear86 said:It’s vital that the doctor has a contract with Medicare (meaning they accept insurance), regardless of whether the office is part of a community health center or located in a private building.

For anyone using an institution that takes Medicare, supplemental coverage applies.

Alright, I think I get the gist now! My issue is that I just moved to a smaller town and need to find a primary care doctor. I’ve heard the doctors at the local community health center aren't great. There’s one doctor in town (outside the health center) listed as a "Private General Practice," while others are just listed as "Specialist Office..." Does the word "private" just mean she operates out of a private building? Can she still take Medicare? I'll have to double-check...

Thanks!

Has anyone been to Maja Radiology & Internal Medicine or seen Krešimir čavka lately?
I need an MRI for my head and upper back ASAP, and I noticed they’ve got some kind of discount going on here . Are they actually any good...

mellowcobra82 said:So, this is your first time navigating the system? Well, you'll see how it goes. Usually, people are booking their appointments about three months out—it can be quite a wait. When I was four months along, my doctor told me to check back in at the end of my ninth month, and she just scheduled me for that slot automatically. We'll see how it plays out for you. Just a heads-up, though—you won't be seeing my doctor, since her clinic is only open on Wednesdays and Fridays. 😉

Good luck—keep me posted if you find anything out! Best.

I recently visited the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Pulanić saw me without any issues at all. From what I could gather while sitting in the waiting room—it seemed like they were seeing everyone who walked through the door right on schedule.
I just hope their lab isn't currently shut down due to some strike or something—I couldn't quite catch everything the nurse was saying. She mentioned I should drop by sometime next week once the strike situation settles down, so I can finally get those referrals from them for the tests I need to complete.

Drew Doyle said:So, according to the laws passed back in 2003—or maybe 2004—referrals for specialist visits (including surgeons) technically don't expire, provided you actually scheduled the appointment within 30 days of getting the referral. I'm not entirely sure if they've messed with those regulations since then.

I don't recall that ever being an issue. As I remember it, you could just bring the referral in to have the dates updated if it had "expired" by the time your appointment rolled around.

quietfox384 said:I went to the Mayo Clinic and Dr. Pulanić saw me without any issues. From what I could gather in the waiting room, they were seeing everyone who showed up just fine.
The only thing is, it looks like their lab might be down due to some strike or something—I couldn't quite tell from the nurse. She told me to swing by next week once the strike settles down so they can give me a referral for the tests I need.

Thanks for the heads-up... I’ll probably try calling them in a day or two before deciding whether to make the trip. They'll call me back, right?! Usually, the nurses at the front desk are friendly and actually want to help...

I just need to pick up my results at the counter downstairs; they should be able to hand those over, right?! Anyway, fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!

Good luck!😉

mellowcobra82 said:Okay, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this! The thing is, I just moved to a smaller town, so I need to track down a new GP. From what I’ve heard about the local FBI offices, they aren't exactly the best. There’s this one doctor in town—not affiliated with the FBI—whose office is listed specifically as a "Private General Practice," whereas the others just say "Specialist Office..." Does the "private" part just mean she operates out of a private building? Can she still take Medicare? I'll have to look into it...

Thanks!

Basically, any clinic that isn't run by the FBI (and I don't just mean the physical location, but the actual management) where the doctor is their own boss will be labeled as Private.
If they accept Medicare, you'll usually see a sticker on the front door, or you can just give Medicare a quick call to ask if that doctor is currently taking new patients.

So, I was standing in line at the post office the other day to drop off a package, and this older lady at the counter was handing over some hospital paperwork to the clerk. Apparently, she had to send a fax to the hospital because she couldn't make it to her scheduled appointment. Now, look, I’m not usually the type to butt into other people's business, but I couldn't help myself—I asked her why she was bothering with a fax when she could just give them a quick call to cancel. I've had to reschedule my own appointments a few times, and it was never an issue; in fact, the nurses actually thanked me because so many people just ghost them and don't show up. But she looks at me and says the hospital told her if she doesn't send a fax to cancel, she'll be hit with a fine (seriously?!?)

It makes me wonder, is that actually a thing now? Or did I just completely misinterpret what she was saying? Is this part of some new system they've rolled out?

Because if it's true, then what on earth are they thinking, screwing people over like that? They're making folks trek all the way to the post office just to save a few bucks that they probably need for basic living expenses anyway...

And honestly, seeing how much she was struggling to move around made the whole thing feel even more absurd. If you have to jump through these ridiculous hoops just to cancel, what happens to the people who are truly immobile and don't have anyone to run errands for them?