So I've been going to Swedish Neuroscience Center here in Seattle.
I wrote my general physician from the University of WA to tell him what my problem turned into (I was going to him 8 months ago for the problem), and he said it warrants a second opinion, and he started some referral process within UW.
So this morning I get a phone call from some NW Neurology to schedule an appointment for next Tuesday.
I emphasize I've already been through $20k worth of tests at Swedish, and I simply want someone else to look at it and either confirm that I'm on the right track or point me in the right direction. She says they'll request the records and I kept the appt for next tuesday.
Then an hour later I get a call from UW Neurology, telling me they're calling to schedule an appointment. I told her I just scheduled with someone an hour prior, and asked if they had my records, she said they have my UW records but not Swedish. I tell her the Swedish stuff is what I need checked out, and she said she'll request it and call me back when they have it to schedule......
So what do I do now? Go to the Tuesday consultation? I'm planning to just go but I'm not going to let them run new tests I've already had. I have the paperwork showing what tests they did do at Swedish, but not what the results of each were.
I still have an appointment at Swedish in 2 weeks to schedule a follow-up MRI, but now I'm getting into a whole mess with these "second opinions"..........
2 second opinions probably won't hurt but my insurance is going to kill me. What do you guys think?
It has cost me extra money but become worthwhile to get copies of all of my diagnostic test results and keep a personal file at home. I have been told by Dr's offices too many times that they will get a copy of my records and I show up and they have nothing due to a miscommunication or because it was lost, etc. Now, I just tell them that I have the records and I make them copy it at the office and give them back to me. I don't have time nor $50 co-pays to waste. (Sorry to sound so bitter.)
I believe in second-, third-, fourth-...whatever-it-takes-opinions until you find what makes you feel comfortable. I remember reading your prior post and it sounded like you have something complicated going on. A second opinion would be good to know if what Swiss is doing with your case is the right thing or if even if they are doing the right thing, what other options there are. The Swiss way might be different than the UW way, but you might agree with UW's way more.
If you decide to go ahead with the second opinion, I would call Swedish to make sure they got the request from UW and tell them the date of your appt and how important it is that UW gets these. Then I would also call UW for updates.
And when it comes to insurance companies: that's what they're there for. They take a gamble on us that we will be ok and not need to use them. In our cases they've lost the gamble and have to pay up.
As frustrating as it all is (and WE all know how frustrating it is), you must keep going forward until YOU are satisfied. It is simply a crime that medical records are not shared in this country and there is no point in keeping an appointment to discuss your extremely complex case if your 2nd opinion giver hasn’t even glanced at any of your results (or looked up your rare condition). So I say, find someone on both ends to play ball with you. Say I need to be sure you have the records or I’m canceling this appointment. Then say you’ll be happy to wait until they can find out for sure. Always take down the name and # of whoever you’re talking to so that they get it that you won’t just go away. Be polite but persistent. Understand that you probably need to speak with an office manager or head nurse to make sure your documents are there in a timely fashion. Keep your chin up (unless that hurts). And stick with it till you get what you deserve. No you should not have to repeat any recent studies, unless there has been a significant change in your symptoms. And you already have a f/u scheduled. No need to get too many cooks in the kitchen.
Good luck.
I have every single medical record ever done in relation to this as well as cd's of my mri in a huge file, any time I go to the neurologist etc i take it with me, that way I have it if they dont. I have become a control freak over records, but it really does pay off. I know from my job in insurance, that so much paper is faxed or e-mailed a day that some of it gets lost in the mix, if you have copies of your own records you have more control.
My gp faxed all the information of my tests for surgery to my neurosurgeon this week, they never got it, but because I had copies i e-mailed them to the hospital, thus not having a crisis when i got there (traveling out of state for surgery) and would have to postpone the surgery. Its worth the extra work to have your own set of copies, and legally they have to give it to you
Wow, i have yet to be charged for records, that sucks that they can charge for it, especially it was you who had the tests, its not like you are having them sent to Figi or somewhere godforsaken.
I hope you get some answers, sounds like you have been through the ringer.