Re: medicare plus osteoporosis

[Guest guest]

I took a bone density test a month ago-i already have spinal stenosis and

herniated disks but I had not heard. so i called the Doctor's office 2 days ago

and the Receptionist said they didn't

have it yet but would call me in a few days.

i called the Nuclear Med. dept and they said YES, the Doctor had

it but she faxed over again the info and said call patient ASAP.

I waited 2 hours and called and they said, YES i had it but i had

to come in to hear the numbers.is that right? Nuclear Medicine said

i can come in and get a copy there.I am very mad. Is this normal?

thanks,

cathie in Ct

[Guest guest]

Always get a copy of all images and reports from the hospital departments to

keep in your own records. 

These days, doctors like to get you in to tell you results and if they charge I

feel it's wrong since it's a continuation of a test they ordered.

Jennette

>Cathie in Ct wrote:

>I waited 2 hours and called and they said, YES i had it but i had

>to come in to hear the numbers.is that right? Nuclear Medicine said

>i can come in and get a copy there.I am very mad. Is this normal?

[Guest guest]

Dear Cathie,

This is called " take your money " . I used to get that all the time. They make you

come in again just to tell you results you already know or that might be of no

consequence to your treatment.

Now, before I go anywhere for any test, I call the place of testing and ask if

they will send me a copy of the report to my home address after the test. If

they won't I go somewhere that will. Then, when I go for the test, I ask to see

the pictures, x-rays, etc before I leave and ask for a copy of those as well.

They will usually give you one on a CD. Actually, by law they have to. Those

records are yours. After that, I go home and read the report and stick the CD in

my computer. If you just look online, you can find out how to read the report as

well as any scan, x-ray, etc.

If I find that anything needs further attention or I think I want to see my

primary doctor about the results, I make an appointment. If I think I will need

to see a specialist, I research on the internet to find the best specialist in

my area that will take my insurance. If I have to have a referral, I go see my

primary and TELL him who I want to see as a referral. I give him all the

information on the doctor I have chosen. If I don't have to have a referral to

see a specialist, I call the Specialist directly and make my appointment. This

way, I don't pay money for extra appointments or waste my time.

What happened to me many years ago, was my primary doctor's office failed to

call me with results of a test that said I needed to be on 2 liters of Oxygen. I

found out 2 months later on my own. Needless to say, I was not happy, but a

mistake like that will never happen to me again. I would have changed my primary

physician if I could have but I have Medicaid as well as Medicare and it's

almost impossible to get a doctor to take the Medicaid where I live, so I have

to continue to deal with this clinic.

I hope this information helps you and anyone who reads it out. Remember, the

doctor is your employee, not the other way around!

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