I (24/F) feel ashamed because I should have known better. I have Medicaid in NYC. I just saw an ENT for a nasal endoscopy and a hearing test but I did not see my PCP prior to the visit for a referral. I saw an ENT in Oct 2020 for the same concerns and didn’t need a referral, I wasn’t charged or asked for one by this doctor. The issue with the Oct 2020 doctor was that I would need to go to a different location for the hearing test and needed numbing spray for the nasal endoscopy. However, the nasal spray was denied by my insurance. The doctor was also very far from where I lived so I only went to the consultation and never went back. I would ultimately have 3 or 4 visits before I was given results and it was too much for me to commit to.
I finally scheduled a visit with a nearby ENT. The visit was today and he handled everything in the office, including numbing my nose for the nasal endoscopy. My results came back normal but prior to seeing the doctor I was asked for a referral. I had completely neglected to request one from my PCP BEFORE the visit because I didn’t think I needed one based on the Oct 2020 experience. I told the receptionist that I’ll call my PCP to request and have it sent over but she just rushed me to sign a liability form and told me to get the referral to them as soon as possible. Now I wish I hadn’t signed that form. Now I’m panicking because I may have to ask my PCP for a backdated referral and that is unethical. I called my PCP today to request one to avoid having to ask for any backdate and I can’t be given one by phone, I have to physically go to the office and schedule an appointment for a visit. I was given an appointment this Thursday with a different doctor in the same network and can possibly be given a referral then but I just feel so dumb because I will have to ask for a backdated referral.
Does anyone have any success stories with getting a medical claim approved without a referral? I just know this medical bill will be large because of the help I received and I don’t have a bunch of money to pay for that bill. Regardless, lesson learned.
submitted by /u/x3vicky
[link] [comments]I (24/F) feel ashamed because I should have known better. I have Medicaid in NYC. I just saw an ENT for a nasal endoscopy and a hearing test but I did not see my PCP prior to the visit for a referral. I saw an ENT in Oct 2020 for the same concerns and didn’t need a referral, I wasn’t charged or asked for one by this doctor. The issue with the Oct 2020 doctor was that I would need to go to a different location for the hearing test and needed numbing spray for the nasal endoscopy. However, the nasal spray was denied by my insurance. The doctor was also very far from where I lived so I only went to the consultation and never went back. I would ultimately have 3 or 4 visits before I was given results and it was too much for me to commit to. I finally scheduled a visit with a nearby ENT. The visit was today and he handled everything in the office, including numbing my nose for the nasal endoscopy. My results came back normal but prior to seeing the doctor I was asked for a referral. I had completely neglected to request one from my PCP BEFORE the visit because I didn’t think I needed one based on the Oct 2020 experience. I told the receptionist that I’ll call my PCP to request and have it sent over but she just rushed me to sign a liability form and told me to get the referral to them as soon as possible. Now I wish I hadn’t signed that form. Now I’m panicking because I may have to ask my PCP for a backdated referral and that is unethical. I called my PCP today to request one to avoid having to ask for any backdate and I can’t be given one by phone, I have to physically go to the office and schedule an appointment for a visit. I was given an appointment this Thursday with a different doctor in the same network and can possibly be given a referral then but I just feel so dumb because I will have to ask for a backdated referral. Does anyone have any success stories with getting a medical claim approved without a referral? I just know this medical bill will be large because of the help I received and I don’t have a bunch of money to pay for that bill. Regardless, lesson learned. submitted by /u/x3vicky [link] [comments]Read Morer/HealthInsurance