Referral Questions

Hey everyone! I've had 2 other posts and they both are in regards to my referral! My dr said YES no problems, but I had an issue with the competence of his receptionist, she didn't include my co-morbidity and I was only approved for the medical program, not surgical. So she had to have help removing the first referral request and then resubmit. I've been told by the nurse that the old one was successfully canceled and they are just waiting for the receptionist to resubmit. Here's my question. Did anyone not hear from their dr right away about being accepted into the program and just waited for the letter? And how did that go? I'm kind of going crazy not knowing what is happening, but getting a call back from my Dr's Office is near impossible these days!

Good lord, why is your doctor's office having such problems with this?! The referral system online could not be any more user friendly! Must be so frustrating.

My doctor never told me about being accepted into the program. Once the referral was sent I waited to hear from the bariatric centre. They called me to let me know they got my referral request, and to let me know to expect a letter regarding orientation in the mail.

BattleCryForever

Thank you! Do you remember approximately how long in between your drs visit and the call was? I know it can be different for everyone but I don't want to wait too long to find out she sent it in wrong again.

I was originally referred to Windsor. They called me about two weeks later. I then asked to be switched to Guelph, and they took about a month to get in touch.

I got the letter with the stuff to fill out within about 6 weeks and the orientation was about 6 weeks after that.

I was referred around February 22 and heard nothing until end of April. I actually thought the doctor just didn't fill out the referral.

i was referred on May 31st and my Doctor's office emailed me a copy and gave me my ID #. I received a CALL a week later and I went to Orientation a week after that.

Get a copy of the Referral and ask for your ID#. That way you can track your progress through the system yourself.

First of why is the receptionist doing it? I am so sorry you been going through this. My doctor literally went on the biatric website and filled out the form that is 2 pages. I would call the hospital you are being referred to and speak to someone there. When my doctor refered me I called the same day and they already had the referal. They then told me I would get the orientation package in the mail. I would say to call the hospital. If they don't have it, it wasn't sent. I don't understand why they are making a simple referal so complicated (my doctor showed me the form so I know it's simple). I am so sorry again.

Exactly.

I agree with JenPrince. Call the hospital, and if you don't know which hospital, call the OBN and confirm your referral went through and you have been accepted into the surgical program. It is your RIGHT to access of information concerning your health.

I also agree with the poster who said the receptionist shouldn't be the one filling out the referral... but she did. If you can stop by your doctor's office, do... and have her pull up your referral right in front of you, and do a print screen of the page that says it was accepted and what hospital and what your MRN number is. I got that from my doc, and it was very useful.

Keep pushing!!! You will get there. This is all part of the journey and SO worth it in the end. :)