Indefinite referrals

Deanne

I am just over 5 years since diagnosis. Both my oncologist and surgeon still see me each year. So I see one of them every 6 months. I have had an indefinite referral for my oncologist for 4 years but have always got a new referral each year for the surgeon. Last time my GP said “I’ll do an indefinite one this time to save you having to come in just for a referral each time”.I was happy with this.

So today I arrive for my surgeon review and hand over my referral. I have my visit and all is good, yay! Then I go to pay and make my next year’s appointment and the receptionist says you’ll need a new referral. I say that I thought my doctor wrote an indefinite one and the receptionist gets really weird and rude. Goes on to say that if I insist on using it then she won’t be able to put through the Medicare claim and I will have to go into Medicare myself and do the claim.

I have never had any trouble using the indefinite referral for the oncologist. They always put the claim straight through for me. The surgeon’s receptionist went on to be really ridiculous. She did not give me a card with my next appointment on and when I asked for one she carried on bizarrely insisting that she had already given me one. Her behaviour was really unnecessary and instead of leaving the appointment over the moon that I am still cancer free at 5 years I was completely rattled by her treatment of me.

Has anyone had trouble using an indefinite referral?

June1952

Hi @Deanne

Fantastic news that you are cancer free after 5 years - this gives all newbies real hope and faith !

Oh, that receptionist sounds such a precious soul !  What a load of crock about the ongoing referrals.  I originally had an indefinite one then asked for that to be changed and have had no issues with it at all.  My only problem was that I have relocated and my original doctor apparently has to be sent a report - oh well, his filing cabinet will be filling up.

I hope you told her that if you keep going there that keeps her in a job ?  Maybe she needs to be told how upsetting her actions are.  I find some of them are "Little Gestapos" - it is their sense of power.

March on proudly, enjoy your happiness.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Zoffiel

Door bitches! Gargh! A polite 'please explain' may be in order, I'm assuming you know her name?

kezmusc

Hmmmm.......doctors receptionists...........a special breed.  The Gate Keepers.  

I didn't even know you could get an indefinite referral.  I have to go back and get another referral for my radonc apt in August.  Hopefully I don't forget or I will be in trouble I imagine.

Big congrats on the 5 yrs.  Woohoo.

Sister

As far as I know, GPs can give indefinite referrals to specialists, but specialists can't give them to other specialists.  But I could be wrong.  Hard to know how you're going to pull her up on her behaviour if she's the one who you have to go through to access your doctor.

And congratulations on the all clear!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Deanne

Thanks for your comments everyone. I have since had an email from the receptionist. That in itself is strange as every other communication from her has always been by phone. She has changed my appointment for next year to a week earlier so I can use the same referral as this year. Still ignoring that it is actually an indefinite one  .

She finishes up with sorry for the ‘confusion’. I have always found her very friendly and pleasant before (but a little inefficient with some other confusions with messages at times). At least I know I am right for a referral for next year and I’ll see if she is easier to talk with in a year’s time!   

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Kiwi Angel

@Deanne - congrats of the 5 years cancer free - such good news.

I have an indefinite referral for my oncologist and surgeon and have never had any problems - maybe she had a brain fart!!

Deanne

Thanks for confirming that @Kiwi Angel. I’m not going crazy after all then  :

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Kiwi Angel

@Deanne definitely not - I just get them from my GP for each specialist.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Glemmis

Hi @Deanne, great news for 5 years. I work for a Specialist but not the type where you would be followed up for more than a year so have never come across this. I don't know why she was rude to you but I think specialists don't like indefinite referrals because it means they can't charge the full rate for a new referral, they may only be able to charge for a review app. I have an indefinite referral to a dermatologist & have never been questioned. I always get a new referral for my surgeon & oncologist when it is due & never have to present it before hand. I guess they all have their own rules!

Deanne

I was wondering if it had something to do with what they can charge @Glemmis. She just did not want to put it down as an indefinite referral. She ended up saying I can think about it and let her know next year. I think it may mean that she will have to charge me more and I will not get as much back from Medicare. The difference she quoted was about the same as a visit to the GP anyway so I thought for the convenience of not needing to go back to the GP it would be fine with me. But I will request a clearer explanation. Thanks for your input.