need help

[sweetpea03]

Is there a way to get a referral to go through faster? We had HMO for years and then switched to a PPO, but not they no longer offer PPO to my family through my fathers work, so we are back on an HMO again. I need a referral to a specialist and it's already been two weeks. Is there something I can do to help get things moving?

[sweetpea03]

Thanks. This just brings back the memories of this night mare of trying to get a referral through. Last time it was for severe pain related to a malformation and scar tissue hitting a nerve. Now I have severe pain again, but for a different reason that is unknown. We have called my PCP office multiple times to see if he has gotten to it, but he just says he will. I really want to have a PPO again, this is horrible.

[Amir Mostafaie]

Dear sweetpea03,

There are usually 2 things taken into consideration for setting referral appointments. One is the specialist's schedule (how busy he/she is) and the other is urgency of your condition (as communicated to the specialist).
So depending on which one of the above reasons has caused the delay, you could either ask to be referred to another specialist (who is not as busy) or call the specialist office & stress upon the urgency of your condition & ask them if they can let you see the specialist sooner if someone cancels their appointment.

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie