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DiscussionHow do you deal with stubborn doctors?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Apr 7, 2021 | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "First off, I'm sorry to hear your dealing with it. It can be very frustrating when..."
Sorry you are having this issue. Maybe find a new doctor that came from Mayo? OR call the doctor and ask again nicely and directly for the referral and remind him you already drove there and want to continue there for your second opinion. Good luck.
@shawnb2020 I am sorry you are having so much difficulty. You should call your insurance company tomorrow. Your doctor has to answer to them. Explain the situation and that you were supposed to get a referral to Mayo and that your doctor screwed up. Do you have a POS or an HMO plan? I have heard that to stay profitable doctors are rewarded for not referring patients to specialists with HMO plans. It isn't right, but it is the game they play and they try to keep it within the same company. That is why it is better to have a plan where you don't need a referral. Patients can self refer to Mayo if their insurance allows and I did. It's hard enough to be a patient who needs medical help without all the games. Insurance companies rate doctors and they know who the good ones are. If you don't get anywhere calling your insurance, you can call your state's insurance board. You can also complain to a state medical board about a physician. At least look and see if this doctor has any disciplinary action against them. You'll also need to demand that copies of referrals and records are sent to you at your request because they can't be trusted to follow through when asked and you have a right to your records. If this is too upsetting, have a family member advocate for you. I wouldn't assume a new doctor won't give you a referral. You don't really know that for sure, and you need a different opinion because this doctor is not helping and may even be harming you by increasing your stress. Say that to your insurance company. It should make them worry since this is about your heart health. If you don't get anywhere with your insurance company, asking a new doctor for help sounds like a good idea. You probably need copies of your tests and records for that, so ask for them if you don't have them. I've been through some difficulty with 5 spine surgeons who refused to help me because they didn't understand my symptoms. I figured out what they missed and came to Mayo which was the right choice. When I needed surgery on a broken ankle recently, I came back. You need to insist on a different specialist and ask to go to Mayo. Ask your insurance company how they mediate disputes when the patient is not being helped and ask for supervisors. A lot of insurance centers are staffed by people without college degrees and they might even be getting bonuses for denying claims. That starts a process of having to re-apply for benefits and wastes time, and that means the insurance can put off paying the claim for a coupe months while their cash is invested and earning profits. It just wastes your time. My physical therapist explained this game to me.