Last Thursday I was given two referrals, one for acupuncture and one for an ophthalmologist. I'm having a lot of problems from a secondary cataract and need it seen to quickly. There were problems with both referrals. I spent most of Friday afternoon and again much of today trying to sort it all out. I was getting different stories from different people, and I don't think the vision center I was referred to even treats cataracts. I don't know for sure, of course, because the person who answered the phone couldn't tell me exactly what they do treat. Quite maddening. This morning, though, I phoned the insurance company and a nice, well-informed woman was able to answer many of my questions.
The only thing I didn't like was, after asking for my DOB, her comment that her mother and I have birthdays a week apart (same year).
Apparently, when the referral coordinator asks for an ophthalmologist the computer gives her any ole ophthalmologist, without checking specifics. It is down to the patient to check into that doctor's specialties to know if he/she even treats your condition! Otherwise, you're given an appointment with someone who may not be able to help. I think I finally found someone and obtained a new referral, but I spent many hours getting to this point. I don't have an appointment yet, though.
