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

I usually just handle all that stuff via email🤷

they might need some kind of written proof, I guess

Has anyone here dealt with the fallout from this strike when trying to get testing done?
Basically, I need to go in for a specific test that doesn't require an appointment—you just show up.
It’s not an emergency, but since I have the day off, I might as well get it over with while I have the chance.

ruggedfox23 said:Has anyone dealt with getting screenings done during this strike?
Basically, I need to get a specific test done—the kind where you don't even need an appointment, you just show up.
It’s not super urgent, but since I actually have a day off, I figured I should just knock it out while I can... because who knows when I'll get another chance like this.

Man, I’ve been through this more times than I can count.
Honestly, the easiest and most painless way to handle it is just to pick up the phone and ask.
If you've got the day free, just go for it and take advantage of the break. 😉

Emily Robinson66 said:And then she tells me—get this—that’s what they told her at the hospital! Apparently, if she doesn't fax over a cancellation notice, she’ll be hit with a fine (SERIOUSLY?!?) ...

Maybe they’ve had people pull that stunt on them a few times already, so they decided to play a little "scare tactics" to keep things moving.

Look, everyone has a reason for missing an appointment every once in a while—especially when you're juggling a bunch of different health issues—but some people just make it a habit, and honestly? That takes away a slot from someone else who actually needs it.
Sveki actually had some tests done recently, and they called him last minute to see if he could swing by earlier because someone else canceled. They reached out at the very last second, and it worked out great since he got seen way ahead of schedule! But I guess that's still pretty rare... most of the time, those slots just go to waste while the waiting list keeps getting longer and longer.

I was wondering if anyone happened to visit Dubrava Hospital recently, just to get a sense of how they're operating lately.

I had my initial ENT consultation on September 11th regarding a deviated septum. They sent me for sinus X-rays, which I've already completed. I called today to schedule the follow-up where we’re supposed to finalize the surgery plans. The nurse set me up for Tuesday, October 1st, but then dropped a bombshell: she said they’re only seeing kids and emergencies right now, so if the strike continues, I shouldn't bother showing up. I'm wondering—do they actually have to see me if I was already given an appointment? I've been reading online that nurses aren't even striking anymore. I'm stuck. If they gave me a slot, aren't they obligated to honor it?

I was hoping to get some insight from any doctors out there, or perhaps fellow members who might have navigated similar issues regarding the following:

1. I’ve been prescribed Lyrica to help manage a diagnosis of non-specific mononeuropathy. However, I’ve run into a bit of a hurdle with insurance—it isn't covered by my Medicare plan, so I’m looking at paying the full retail price, which comes out to roughly $77. Does anyone know why a medication like this wouldn't be covered under standard coverage?

2. Regarding diagnostic testing, where would be the best place to go for blood work specifically looking for neurotropic viruses? Also, is this something I can do with a referral from my doctor, or will I need to pay out of pocket without one?

3. I am also trying to figure out the logistics for an MRI. Specifically, what strength of magnet is required to properly visualize the pudendal nerve within Alcock's canal? I had a conversation earlier today with Dr. Borić over at Saint Catherine Specialty Hospital, and he mentioned that a 1.5T machine should be sufficient to capture the necessary detail. On the other hand, I reached out to Medikol, who also utilizes 1.5T technology, but their radiologist insisted that such a visualization is impossible at that strength. It leaves me wondering—who is actually correct in this situation?

In Shalat, you’ve got the strongest magnet there is.

I know they have the strongest 3T magnet in the country over at Neuron Radiology. But it makes me wonder—is it actually capable of picking up the specific structure they're looking for in this case?
Does anyone happen to have a radiologist lurking on this forum who could weigh in?

restlessbadger2 said:1. I've been prescribed Lyric because of an unspecified mononeuropathy diagnosis. Even with supplemental insurance, I can't get it covered—I have to pay the full price out of pocket, which comes to about $77. Why is that?

Dear restlessbadger2,

The answer to this is straightforward, yet it remains difficult for patients, GPs, and specialists to swallow, often sparking heated debates. I'll keep my response brief. For anyone looking to vent their frustration, please remember we have a dedicated thread: A View of the American Healthcare System - discussing the (mal)functionality of the US medical system. You can continue the conversation there.

Essentially, due to budget constraints and the high cost of the medication, Medicare has dictated that only patients with refractory epilepsy qualify for the prescription to be fully covered.

For any other indications or illnesses, primary care physicians are permitted to prescribe this drug exclusively on a standard private prescription, meaning patients must shoulder the entire cost themselves.

And it isn't just Lyric; this applies to a wide range of medications.

As for why this policy exists, why specialists disagree with it, or why some family doctors ignore these rules entirely, I invite everyone interested to discuss those nuances in the thread I linked.

2. Where can I get blood testing done for neurotropic viruses? Does it require a referral, or can I go without one?

With a referral to the CDC's Virology Department at the Dr. Fran Mihaljević Infectious Disease Clinic.

However, since the costs for these tests (as they cover multiple types of viruses) are quite steep, you will need a valid medical indication and a recommendation from a specialist—and not just any specialist.

Dear Nicholas Myers,

Thank you for getting back to me. 🙂

I have just one more question regarding neurotropic viruses. To avoid repeating my entire history over dozens of pages—as you probably know, I’ve been posting extensively in the Vulvodynia thread where I laid everything out—Dr. Bakran believes there is a strong possibility that some sort of virus is messing with my nerves. To confirm or rule this out, he suggested I undergo specific testing once I've finished my pelvic MRI. However, he didn't provide a formal recommendation for which specific viruses to test for. Now, I find myself wondering: which type of specialist would be able to write an order for that? Dealing with all this administrative red tape and the endless cycle of insurance referrals is becoming more exhausting than the condition itself. Honestly, if I can just pay for these tests out of pocket, I'd prefer that. If this continues much longer—and I've been struggling with this for two years now—I am genuinely afraid I will never actually uncover the root cause of what I'm going through.

restlessbadger2 said:He didn't include a recommendation for the viruses. Now I'm stuck—who can actually write that for me?

Well, there’s your snag. Given how tight things are with the budget right now, they've started tightening the leash on referrals and diagnostic tests.

That's why you'll likely need a specific written recommendation for neurotropic virus serology. In terms of who carries the most weight for that kind of request, you're looking at a neurologist or an infectious disease specialist first, though an immunologist or a physiatrist might also work.

Nicholas Myers,

Thanks so much for getting back to me 🙂

Does anyone happen to know how one goes about scheduling an abdominal ultrasound over at Maja Radiology & Internal Medicine?

Is it actually possible that a seventeen-year-old—my daughter—isn't allowed to have an EKG without an adult present?

I was wondering if I might ask for some advice
Specifically, it has been quite some time since I last requested any referrals, and since we are currently in breast cancer awareness month, I felt it was high time to get things organized. I don't carry any supplemental insurance, and I am based here in NYC, near Dubrava
Does anyone happen to know what the initial cost for a referral is at a Private General Practice? Furthermore, how much would I likely need to pay out of pocket for the actual exam—and where exactly should I go for such an appointment? Thank you all so much in advance! 🙂

How do I go about getting tested for celiac disease? Can my primary care doctor just send me for it, or am I required to see a specialist? Also, since I don't have supplemental insurance, how much is this going to set me back? And what's the wait time for results like?

Hey, this test looks like it’s done in 15 minutes—does that sound legit to you guys?

Karen White4 said:How do I go about testing for celiac disease? Can my primary care doctor refer me, or does it have to be a specialist? Since I don't have supplemental insurance, how much am I looking at paying per test? And what's the typical wait time for results?

Is this a fifteen-minute turnaround? Does it look legit to you?

Here is a link for you:

http://dalje.com/hr-zivot/celiko-cen...ijakiju/157195

Your doctor can definitely send you for testing... though, of course, whether they'll provide an insurance referral based on their suspicion is a whole different story.

So I’ve got this weird issue with my health insurance coverage. My current plan expires at the end of this month, but I sent my mom a faxed confirmation from my university to prove I'm still a full-time student—she took it down to the Social Security Administration office, and they told her my coverage stays valid and will just automatically renew once the current term ends.

Anyway, I called my doctor about getting a refill on some meds she usually prescribes, and she said she'd send the prescription over. But when I swung by the pharmacy later, nothing was there. I followed up a week later, and the nurse tells me she couldn't put the script through because apparently my coverage had already lapsed.

I'm totally lost—how can she say my insurance isn't active when the SSA told my mom it would auto-renew, and even the official government website shows the exact same thing?
How is it possible that the nurse sees "inactive" on her screen and the pharmacy gets absolutely nothing?

Look, saying they couldn't write you a prescription because of your insurance coverage just doesn't hold water.

The doctor can absolutely write the script; then, when you get to the pharmacy, you just show them your insurance card or pay the $3.25/prescription cost out of pocket.

Plus, you can easily check your own coverage status on this website—just plug in your Social Security number or whatever ID you have on file.

http://www.medicaid.gov/check-coverage

The reason nothing showed up at the pharmacy is simply because the prescription wasn't entered into the system yet.
Just a heads-up: most prescriptions are good for 15 days after they're written, but if it's an antibiotic, you've only got a 3-day window.
From what I gathered, the nurse probably didn't even submit the order, so now everyone is making excuses about insurance.
At the end of the day, they don't really care about your coverage status—if you have to pay full price at the counter, that's on you.