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

I'm not entirely sure if I’m hitting the mark with this topic—pardon me if the question comes off as a bit trivial—but I was wondering if supplemental insurance actually covers things like glasses, frames, or lenses? Or does it perhaps just cover a fraction of the total cost? I’m currently a student, so my coverage is through the university...

Check out article 12 here.

Blue Cross Blue Shield covers the basics—like the lenses and the frames—and if you’ve got supplemental coverage, you won't even have to deal with a copay.

The thing is, that allowance is pretty tiny, maybe around $100$67 depending on which lenses you pick. It’s basically peanuts. If you actually want something decent, most big-name optical shops let you take that credit and just pay the difference for the specific frames or high-end lenses you actually want.

swiftbear86 said:check out article 12.

Blue Cross Blue Shield covers the basics—lenses, frames, all that—and you won't have to deal with a copay if you've got supplemental coverage.

That said, the coverage amount is pretty meager. We're talking maybe $100$67 depending on which lenses you pick. If you actually want something decent, most big-box retailers let you apply that credit toward better frames or higher-end contact lenses to cover the difference.

Right. Thanks for the quick reply!

Does anyone happen to know which software or viewer I should download to look over my own hip MRI results? Also, does anyone have recommendations for highly regarded abdominal surgeons here in the States?

Hey. Does anyone know the wait time for Shunt scintigraphy at the hospital?

I just got back from a coronary angiogram on Friday and the doctor gave me an internal referral for this test. Since they don't do it in Indianapolis—only in New York City—I need to know if I'm looking at a massive wait.

I can't even start job hunting until this is all cleared up. The diagnosis is Ductus Botalli.

I just received my referral for some immunology lab work—specifically ANF, AMA, AGM, and LKM.

Does anyone know if I can get this done at a private clinic? The wait time at Mayo Clinic is currently sitting at two months, which feels like a lifetime.

I recall hearing somewhere that we have the right to request a second opinion from our primary care physician. Specifically, if we’ve already seen a specialist, can we ask for a referral to someone else just to get a fresh perspective? Is that actually how it works? Is a doctor legally obligated to provide a referral if we want to seek a second opinion?

Of course, you’re free to seek a second opinion from whichever specialist you choose—provided you actually know who specializes in your specific issue.

Sandra Brooks91 said:Sure, you have the right to seek a second opinion from any doctor you choose, provided you actually know which specialist is qualified to handle your specific issue.

So, does she strictly have to provide a referral if I ask for a second opinion?

I’m asking because the last time I saw her, I didn't explicitly demand one, but the moment I brought up the idea of a referral, she pushed back. She basically told me "we aren't doing that" and insisted that she is the one who decides whether or not I need a referral.

Sure, just say you’d like to get a second opinion because you heard a certain doctor or clinic is highly recommended for this specific issue, then ask them to issue the referral.

Angela Wright said:I was at the hospital last week seeing a GI specialist—specifically a hepatologist—and they sent me off for an abdominal MRI. They want to see me back for a follow-up in two months. The problem is, my appointment for the MRI isn't until November. When I filled out the intake paperwork, I made sure to note that the doctor needs those results by April to decide if surgery is necessary or even what the plan should be, so I attached my medical history too. The receptionist told me the review board handles these things and they might move my slot up based on urgency, saying they'd notify me five days before a new date. I’m wondering if anyone has gone through this—what are the actual odds that they’ll actually bump my appointment up to meet that April deadline?

Turns out the odds were great. They called me yesterday to tell me the MRI is this Friday at 5 PM, which is perfectly timed for when the doctor needs the report. I can't tell if it's because the doctor is a total powerhouse with a huge reputation or if their triage system actually works, but it happened.

I just faxed my paperwork over and now I'm waiting on the call for my shunt scintigraphy. Obviously, those documents of yours are why this is moving so fast. Good luck. 🙂

redcyclist7 said:I just faxed over the paperwork and now I'm just waiting for them to call me in for the Shunt scintigraphy. It’s pretty obvious your files are the reason they're moving so fast on this exam. Good luck! 🙂

Not really, at least not when it comes to the diagnosis. My doctor wants to figure out if we're dealing with actual crystals in my gallbladder or if it's just sludge; the ultrasound couldn't quite make the distinction, and given my symptoms, it's definitely on the table. Besides, he's basically waiting for another attack before he pulls the trigger on surgery... so 🤷 the doc did mention a follow-up in two months, along with an MRI and a new liver function test, so he wrote an internal referral and that's that.

The voucher is valid for one month.

Got my appointment for the fish on March 19th..

Can someone please walk me through how this whole electronic prescription thing actually works for blood work? And more importantly, how am I supposed to verify if it’s even showing up on my ID card? I had this incredibly awkward moment recently where I walked all the way to the pharmacy only to realize I had to trek right back to the doctor's office... turns out the nurse just forgot to hit "enter" on her computer, so there was absolutely nothing linked to my insurance card. Total waste of a trip...

And while we’re on the subject, which lab should I actually head to in New York City? Does it matter where I live, or can I just pop into any clinic I feel like... I'm living over in Queens, by the way.

I rarely ever make it to the doctor's office, but man, I just completely blew through my schedule today... 🤷

So now even the nurses at your doctor's office are running tests? If they aren't, you should just head to the nearest lab. Honestly, your doctor should have briefed you on this, and you really ought to have asked for details when she sent you for testing—unless, of course, you rarely bother visiting the doctor...

Does anyone in the US do research regarding homozygosity issues—specifically blood defects or incest within families?

Basically, an orthopedic report I received mentions possible homozygosity. Are there any specific institutions or experts I could reach out to who specialize in this area?

Sorry for bringing up such heavy medical stuff here.

Sandra Brooks91 said:I mean, even the nurses at your doctor's office can pull those up for you now. If not, just hit up the nearest lab. Your doctor really should have told you, and honestly, if you aren't seeing a doctor constantly, you should probably be the one asking when they sent you in for testing...

Look, I was sent for testing by my OBGYN, and she isn't even in the same medical group as my primary care physician. Calling my GP just to ask about it... yeah, right.

So, what actually happens during that first appointment with a hematologist...?