Can't get an appointment: Any tips on what to do?

Posted by radiocity @radiocity, Jul 2, 2021

Over a year trying to get an appointment, Scottsdale/Phoenix. I have two issues that may or may not be related. 5 'regular' doctors and 2 years later reveals what are likely lumbar spinal issues, but none of them can account for an issue in my left abdominal area. Last Doc I saw sent referral to Mayo, April 2020. Mayo says 2-3 years to establish primary care. I asked for an appt (internal medicine, interns, anyone at this point) for a comprehensive physical, to basically start over, but I keep getting rejected. I don't understand.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

I self referd after it was suggested by 3 of my specialists. I was denied. So my GP sent in a referral with documents from each of the specialties I've been seeing.

On Friday I got a call from a rep from Mayo saying they got the referral but since I was denied they would have to set up a meeting with my doctor to discuss my situation befor reviewing. Then Saturday out of the blue I got a denial email.

This confused me for 2 reasons. 1. I don't see how they talked to my doctor that fast. And 2. It was internal medicine that denied me when I believe the referral was specified for neurology, hematology and rheumatology because it's a mystery case.

I have a rheumatologist willing to refer me as well as my gastroenterologist but honestly I'm not sure what to do.

REPLY
@hsiller

I self referd after it was suggested by 3 of my specialists. I was denied. So my GP sent in a referral with documents from each of the specialties I've been seeing.

On Friday I got a call from a rep from Mayo saying they got the referral but since I was denied they would have to set up a meeting with my doctor to discuss my situation befor reviewing. Then Saturday out of the blue I got a denial email.

This confused me for 2 reasons. 1. I don't see how they talked to my doctor that fast. And 2. It was internal medicine that denied me when I believe the referral was specified for neurology, hematology and rheumatology because it's a mystery case.

I have a rheumatologist willing to refer me as well as my gastroenterologist but honestly I'm not sure what to do.

Jump to this post

Ah, that sounds like crossed wires. The denial from Internal Medicine doesn't seem to be related to the referral from your GP. The timing does seem too quick as you said and not the department to which the referral was made.

It's possible/probable the review with your doctor is still in the works. You might want to check with your GP to see if Mayo has contacted him/her and for them to follow-up. It sounds like you're doing all the right things.

REPLY

I appreciate that feedback! I know my rheumatologist wants to get involved as well since he ran most of the tests. Unlike my GP who just knows I've been going through a lot. Do you happen to know if that is possible.

REPLY
@hsiller

I appreciate that feedback! I know my rheumatologist wants to get involved as well since he ran most of the tests. Unlike my GP who just knows I've been going through a lot. Do you happen to know if that is possible.

Jump to this post

I suggest calling Mayo Clinic Appointments and asking how to add your rheumatologist to the referral currently under review. Here is the contact info for all 3 locations: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Fingers crossed.

REPLY

I applied to General Internal Medicine with a referral from my physician. I've had sudden vision loss and I'm only 23, and I'm a rare disease patient.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, mostly because of the uncertainty from my local physicians. I have absolutely no idea why they'd reject me and didn't even know a doctor could refuse to see you? Why would they deny someone an appointment? How can I get one?

REPLY
@juliakristenroy

I applied to General Internal Medicine with a referral from my physician. I've had sudden vision loss and I'm only 23, and I'm a rare disease patient.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, mostly because of the uncertainty from my local physicians. I have absolutely no idea why they'd reject me and didn't even know a doctor could refuse to see you? Why would they deny someone an appointment? How can I get one?

Jump to this post

Hi @juliakristenroy, welcome.
Getting that denial letter is a tough blow. Unfortunately General Internal Medicine receive more requests that can be accepted. It is an extremely busy and well booked department.

If your main concern is sudden vision loss, is there a reason why your physician made the referral to Internal Medicine. Why not to the Department of Ophthalmology? What rare disease do you live with?

REPLY
@juliakristenroy

I applied to General Internal Medicine with a referral from my physician. I've had sudden vision loss and I'm only 23, and I'm a rare disease patient.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, mostly because of the uncertainty from my local physicians. I have absolutely no idea why they'd reject me and didn't even know a doctor could refuse to see you? Why would they deny someone an appointment? How can I get one?

Jump to this post

YES THEY CAN BUT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO WILL, IT MIGHT NOT BE A REFUSER BUT JUST HAVE NO ROOM LEFT FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT THIS TIME .

REPLY
@juliakristenroy

I applied to General Internal Medicine with a referral from my physician. I've had sudden vision loss and I'm only 23, and I'm a rare disease patient.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, mostly because of the uncertainty from my local physicians. I have absolutely no idea why they'd reject me and didn't even know a doctor could refuse to see you? Why would they deny someone an appointment? How can I get one?

Jump to this post

I applied to General Internal Medicine as well with no referral. I have a movement disorder and lupus. Rochester denied. So I don’t know if going to my PCP would help or maybe applied to other locations.

REPLY
@juliakristenroy

I applied to General Internal Medicine with a referral from my physician. I've had sudden vision loss and I'm only 23, and I'm a rare disease patient.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, mostly because of the uncertainty from my local physicians. I have absolutely no idea why they'd reject me and didn't even know a doctor could refuse to see you? Why would they deny someone an appointment? How can I get one?

Jump to this post

@juliakristenroy Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am sorry to read that your first post here is because you are having a problem getting an appointment at Mayo Clinic. As you have read by now, there are so many people who apply to get an appointment, that the books get filled up quickly! And when you are in pain, or in a health crisis, the last thing you want is to get denied being seen at a placer you want to go to, right?

Can the referral paperwork be directed to the opthamology department, or perhaps neurology? Do you think that is worth a try? I hope you will let me know what you think of taking that route.
Ginger

REPLY

My mom’s application to the Mayo Clinic was just denied because they currently have too many patients. Does anyone have advice on what to do from here? Mayo was our last hope.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.