Surgery Date and More Frustration

So I have my date for my hernia repair, Feb. 15th.  The doctor ordered the pre surgery labs so I contacted the NP and asked her if I could get the full labs done at the same time since it has been a year since I had some of them and I told her I was concerned about malabsorption because of my weight issues and also have been concerned about being more fatigued then usual and I told her I was afraid I wasn't absorbing all my vitamins and iron.
So I got a call back from the office telling me that the labs were ordered.  I was so excited.  Until I got there and asked for a print out.  Once again they just ordered minimal labs.  I am so sick of this.  I have contacted at least 5 different doctors and none of them will order the labs that vitalady recommends.  And the only reason they give is that I don't need them and my insurance might not pay, even though they have paid last year with no issue.  I am wondering if there is some kind of pressure going on providers from Medicare not to order any tests that aren't absolutely necessary?  
I am at a loss at this point.  I have gone through three different PCPs trying to get these done, as well as my surgeon and the NP.  I am thinking about contacting the one other surgeon in the area that has experience with the DS and see if she would do the labs.  I have heard bad things about her, too, though and I really didn't want to see her.  I am at a loss.  Do I keep calling doctors and ask if they will order the labs I need?
Someone suggested I pay myself but I cannot afford that.  

I would go to the Doctor familiar with DS's as hopefully she is use to being more dilligent about labs.

I'm sorry to be reading about your struggles lately and glad to see there is some improvement.  Big congrats on quitting smoking (been there did that 4 years ago and still miss it once in a while) and love the new haircut.

All the best!

I don't know what you do to get them ordered.  I couldn't get my Dr to order A but the lab tech just wrote it in, probably illigal but she said neither Dr knew what the other ordered so no one would know.  I do the test are god awful expensive and with all the states broke, I imagine cost is driving a big part of it.

I had the same thing happen here.  Got a new PCP and wanted Vitalady's labs run - he wouldn't do it.. AND he wouldn't do the level my bariatric surgeon had me getting.  Said just because the insurance paid for it wasn't a good reason to have it done - huh????

So - I'll go back to my bariatric surgeon and get the lab order... and they add whatever I ask them to it... except insurance won't pay for vit K - haven't figured that one out yet.

Keep looking... even if you don't like the DS surgeon - all you're asking for is labs, right?  Not any treatment?  Doesn't hurt to ask.

I think I would go to the DS surgeon and see if they will order them.  My PCP won't order mine either - she tells me to go to my surgeon and get them ordered.  My surgeon does the majority of the ones of the list but there are a few that they don't feel are necessary and I just can't get anyone to do....

I'm glad you got your date for your hernia repair.  Good luck.

Linda

There's a place that will do any labs without a doctor's prescription. You have to pay for them though. I can't find a link to the site but Andrea U can give it to you.

I'll check it out.  They won't bill insurance for you?

I don't know. I can get pretty much any labs I want as my PCP is easy that way so I haven't had to check it out except to note is exists for people who need it.

Andrea has a blog post about it on her site with more details.

Oh Ladytazz, I've been thinking so much about you.    I'm glad you got a date for the repair but
sorry you have to go through all of this.   You are such a lightweight I hope you don't have any trouble with pain meds etc.

Maybe the NP would do it if she had a list.  It wouldn't hurt anything to try the other surgeon.  She might want you to come for an office visit though.  The worst she can say is no.  You said you have heard  things about her but since she isn't doing surgery on you she might be ok for this. 

Fortunately for me my PCP uses the Vitalady list that I gave him and has never questioned it.

You've got a gem there.  I have literally gone through 3 PCP's trying to get Vitalady's list done.  I don't have the energy to look for another one.  
I may give the other surgeon a call after I get this surgery taken care of.