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

Rachel Brooks4 said:My doctor referred me for inhalation allergy testing. She mentioned I should head over to the area across from the Mayo Clinic where they handle those tests. She assumes you don't need an appointment, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know exactly where I need to go or who I should call for details? Apparently, it's in the old health center building. Since we just moved to Chicago, any info would be appreciated. Is this part of Mercy Hospital, or am I getting everything mixed up?

Glad I checked this. That's exactly what I need to figure out, and I have no clue where to go. I'm seeing a pulmonologist there this Friday. This forum is a lifesaver.

It’s been years since I last had any blood work done, and now I’ve suddenly been handed a referral to check my thyroid hormones. My doctor was pretty vague about it, too; she just mentioned that I need to schedule an appointment somewhere, but didn't really give me any specifics on where to go or how the whole process actually works 🙄 Since I'm currently over in Chicago, does anyone know what the standard procedure is around here?

Brenda Cruz84 said:It’s been years since I last had bloodwork done, and now I’ve suddenly been handed a referral to check my thyroid hormones. My doctor just vaguely mentioned that I need to schedule an appointment somewhere, but she didn't give me any details on where to go or how to actually book it, which is super confusing 🙄 I'm based in Chicago, so what's the standard procedure here?

Well, you can basically book wherever you want, really—but honestly, if you go to Mercy Hospital, they are probably your best bet (they're actually super friendly, and they poke you so fast and professionally that you barely even feel it!), and you can either just walk in to schedule it or send an email over to the Nuclear department (just Google them) along with a scanned copy of your referral and whatever specialist notes you have from whoever suggested the test. I guess if it was just your regular GP who recommended it, then you won't have a formal specialist history to attach, so that's fine too. Just make sure you get scheduled within 90 days, because that's usually how long the referral stays valid before it expires...

rapidnomad322 said:Well, you can just book an appointment wherever works best for you—honestly, the folks over at Mayo Clinic are fantastic (they are truly kind, and they work so quickly and professionally that you barely even feel the needle), and you can schedule things either in person or via email through the Nuclear department (just give them a quick search online); you’ll just need to attach a scan of your insurance authorization and the medical history from whichever specialist suggested the test (though, if your primary care physician was the one who recommended it, you might not have a formal specialist history on hand). Just make sure to get on their schedule within 90 days, since that's how long your referral stays valid...

Thanks so much, but what's the deal with Holy Spirit? Their site says you don't actually need to make an appointment:

Brenda Cruz84 said:Thanks, but what's the deal with Holy Spirit? It says right here you don't even need an appointment:

I'm really not sure about Holy Spirit, since I actually had my tests done over at Mercy Hospital (though, if I remember correctly, their site also mentions you don't need to call ahead 🤔), so I guess I don't know what all these new procedures are lately... back when I was booking stuff in March, that wasn't really a thing... ☕ Anyway, I suppose you could just book it at any hospital that does those specific tests—and honestly, you could probably just give them a quick ring to ask why they have this whole "no appointment" policy going on anyway...

Anyone have any clue what an occupational health exam actually looks like? I’m trying to remember when I went for my driver’s license about 15 years ago—back then, they basically just listened to my lungs and checked my vision, nothing crazy. Has the whole process changed since then? I’ve got one scheduled for next week, and they told me to show up on an empty stomach, so now I'm low-key stressing about what to expect.

Does anyone happen to know how much a referral for stool lab tests actually costs out of pocket?

I really hope I’m not barking up the wrong tree by asking here, but does anyone happen to have a direct phone number or an email address for the Primary Orthopedic Department over at the Lovran Clinic? It honestly feels like they’re guarding those contact details like state secrets! I’ve been trying the main switchboard all day to no avail—it just rings and rings—and even the central scheduling desk is completely unresponsive, despite me hearing the line ring incessantly. I haven't quite worked up the nerve to try calling the Director just yet. 😁

Does anyone actually know what that white referral is worth these days?

An internal referral? Well, that really depends on the specific field of practice, though typically you would also receive an order confirmation specifying a set date if everything is scheduled accordingly.

Just got this lab referral from my primary care doctor.
The only thing actually on there is the date it was issued... seriously?

I am curious to know whether this referral was issued by a specialist at a major hospital or perhaps by a primary care physician? If it falls into the latter category, I suspect the results will be processed through a local diagnostic lab; in that scenario, the facility can simply access the electronic order via their system, making this paper document essentially nothing more than a physical confirmation
of which specific tests are being requested.

Dr. Schmidt, medical school.
Yeah, the lab is just some local spot nearby.
My head has been ringing like crazy for a month straight...

Yes, it has been a full month now.

Thanks.👍

Hey there,

So, I just got back to the States recently after being away for work, and I’ve already gone ahead and updated my residency. When I went down to Medicare to get everything sorted, they told me I don't qualify for free coverage right now since I've been unemployed for about a year. Apparently, you're supposed to register within a month of losing your job to stay covered.

Here's what I'm wondering: Is it actually worth paying into the state insurance system (roughly$1833) or would I be better off just getting supplemental coverage through a private clinic?

Thanks,

Is an electronic referral the exact same thing as a "paper" one? Specifically, does it have the same thirty-day window for blood work, or is the timeframe shorter?
I need to get some labs done at the Siget Health Center, and my doctor mentioned they already sent the referral over digitally.

It would be prudent to perform a thorough assessment.

Keith Gonzalez said:You should probably estimate it.

It’s valid for 30 days. That’s what the guy at the counter told me.

Just wanted to share a little win: I finally got scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound (dealing with some gallbladder issues and polyps). My appointment is set for September 4th, 2018.