Frustrated to piece (long post--sorry!)

My primary care dr. required me to come back in for a short physical before he'd clear me for surgery. Took me half a week to get in with him. He listened to my chest. That was the physical. He reviewed my test results and said they were fine. He ordered a chest x-ray and a recheck on my postassium (which was low on the day of my heart cath). Okay--had those done that same day. He told me to tell the nurse (when she called with the results) to remind him to send my letter of clearance. I did that two days later when she phoned me. Last Fri, I get an email from mildred (bless her sweet heart-she's been so kind) at Dr. Hart's office. They got my letter---but my dr. said clearance was contingent on the clear chest x-ray and the lab he had repeated. DUh---he sent the letter without mentioning the results were in-and they were normal. Okay--I'm still pretty calm at this point--so I call his office and leave a message that the results WERE NORMAL-and could he please send a new letter. I even read off what Mildred said Ins. would be looking for: Cleared for surgery OR Stable for surgery with NO contingencies. I get a call back from his nurse (who is sounding just as frustrated with him as I am at this point) and she tells me he NOW wants to see a letter of surgical clearance from the cardiologist. He NEVER mentioned that to me before--he HAS all the cardio results, cuz we discussed them in my appt. He knows they're normal!!! Okay--at this point, I'm getting angry. I tell his nurse I'll call the cardio-and I do. Cardio faxes over a letter of clearance to my dr. Fri. afternoon (thank you, cardio!). I haven't heard back from my dr. yet--have no idea if he sent a letter to dr. Hart's office--or what. I'm thinking he's cooking up some other absurd reason he won't do it. What's up with this??? He told me Mon. that I'm as healthy as he can find me for surgical purposes--but he just can't seem to get that in a letter for some reason. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!! I could have been submitted to in. by now!!! Thanks...just needed to get that off my chest... Michelle

Hey Girl I feel your frustration. I am having to go to the dietician 3 times per month and my pcp once a month, I started in Jan so June will be the end of that. Any way Keep your chin up, and remember to STAY SWEET when you are on the phone with them, Be stirn but sweet. The lady who does the ins. stuff for Dr. P. always says that to me, Because they seem to do things alot eaiser if you do.

Thanks, Erin! I'm not glad to know you're having hassles, too--but it is nice to know I'm not alone. It's good advice to be nice on the phone, too. I try-and it's pretty easy for me as it's the nurse I'm talking to all the time. Her son had WLS and has done beautifully. She understands my frustration, and in fact, seems frustrated for me. She's been really good. You CAN catch more flies with honey than vinegar, you know! Have a good day... Michelle

Hey Michelle, My next step for you would be to go sit in his office and make him dictate or write it with me sitting right there. It is not fair that he keeps coming up with different things to find before sending the correctly worded letter. Just hang in, but keep on his butt if you have to call him everyday. I am only 2 wks and getting really excited and alittle nervous. Can't wait to chat with you soon.

I have my 'daily' call in to him to see if he's completed it today. He's off on Tues...so I suppose on Wed. or Thurs I'll have to go down and camp out till it's done. I'm HOPING he can get it today, though. I'm really excited for you, too! I have it on my calendar and can't WAIT to come see you when it's done! If you're up to visitors, I'll be knocking on the door!!! Hugs... Michelle

Girl, I will be ready for company on the next day I am sure. I dont wake up too good the day of surgery much...but the next day will be great. I could tell you more of how i feel then. I would be upset if I didnt hear from you or see you. D'Lynn

MICHELLE IT CAN GET FRUSTRATING BUT HANG IN THERE IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGHT JUST DO WHAT THEY ASK IT TOOK ME ALMOST A 8 MONTHS AND DOING THIS THEN DOING THAT IT CAN GET ANOYING BUT JUST HANG IN THERE.

Michelle, I understand your frustration....But I encourage you to go to the office and sit down with the dr. or nurse and help them write to letter. You know what verbage the ins. co is looking for, and it means alot to you and you'll see that it's done and done correctly. I know this because its exactly what I did. I even stayed there and watched the fax go through...You have to stay on top of things or they fall through the cracks....Good Luck, Donna