a new referral needed?

I have been seeing the same PM Doc for 8 years or so....I was seeing a PCP that referred me to him way back then and have been going ever since...since then I have a new PCP... When my last appt. with the PM Dr. came up I was told that I needed a new referral...before they could see me. I was out of meds. and they told me this the day before my appt. I called my PCP to get the referral but he was out on vacation and they couldn't help me....ok, a few days I could handle....That was last week....this week I get a call from my PCP saying that he wants me to see another PM Dr. ...actually a Neurosurgeon...and I couldn't get in until August 25th.....That's way too far away...and my PCP never liked the fact that I was taking so many pain meds....and I think he's using this to change that.... My PM Dr. can't help me without the referral...not even with me being out of meds...What am I going to do? I can't go without my meds.....

Has anyone ever heard of this before?

Have you tried offering to pay cash? Usually a referrel is only an insurance thing so there really should be no reason for them to deny you if you do that. If they do, I would ask some more questions and find out a full reason as to why the sudden change.

   Dear Rhonda,

     Good morning *warm hugg* Goodness, it sure is good to hear from you. I had hoped that no news was good news. I am so sorry to hear the turmoil between your current PM and new PCP. That has got to be frustraiting to no end!

     I do think that my current specialists need updated patient file and referral about once a year. But it isnt done the way your situation has been handled. I am just asked to come in earlier and go through the "new patient" questions. The referrals are all done or re-done in the back ground, so there isnt a hassle.

     Your situation has me worried for you to say the least! You are depenent on way to many meds for that kind of lapse in care. Can you call your current PCP and let him know about the time frame of leaving one office for another? Someone, some how, needs to be made aware of the lapse in your medication. I cannot see anyone allowing that kind of preventable damage to occur.

     I hope someone will be able to help you. I am sure you are frustraited and rather angry. I would be livid in your shoes. To top it all off you still have the worry over seeing a surgeon. Gosh, I am terribly sorry you have so much on your shoulders. Hang in there and Stay Strong!

*hugg*
   dani

Hi, Rhonda,
I agree with Straydog, you need to appear in your PCP's office and I would also go with a letter in hand, so that if no one can see you earlier, you put in reasonable language on paper all the meds you are currently taking, and reasonable fears you have over an abrupt withdrawal. You can say you will see the surgeon, but in the meantime you need to be able to stay with your PM. You can be willing to get an opinion from the surgeon, but in the meantime not to pull the rug out from under you with these meds.

I would also call you insurance company and see if the PM is not seeing you because of an insurance requirement for a new referral, or is the PM doing this because perhaps he and your PCP have talked. If it's an insurance issue, I would explain to your insurance company what is happening and see if they can allow you to keep seeing your PM under the old referral until you get the surgeon's consult. Ask to speak to a supervisor if you need to, and explain what meds you're on. If it's NOT an insurance issue, I would call your PM's office and ask the reason why he won't keep seeing you at least until you get the surgeon's opinion, and that if it's necessary for you to detox from these meds, you do so under his supervision. I would tell them you feel "abandoned" as a patient. That word will perk up their ears. That PM has been seeing you for 8 years - has this ever happened before? It could be, again, an insurance thing because you need a referral with the new doctor's name on it, but because this new PCP has a different view on the meds issue, that's no reason to withdraw the meds from you abruptly. In fact, I'd be looking for a new PCP if he's the problem.

Don't give up here. I realize it's going to take a lot of energy, but the way this is being handled is just plain wrong.

Good luck. Let us know what happens!

PaLady

This is a horrible situation and I'm so sorry that you are facing it.

Please go in without delay! I would almost wonder if this is against the oath for these Dr's to "cause no harm". Abruptly stopping your meds will most certainly cause harm.

Please see someone asap!