Forum Discussion
Indefinite referrals
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?
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?
23 Replies
- @Deanne definitely not - I just get them from my GP for each specialist.
- Thanks for confirming that @"Kiwi Angel". I’m not going crazy after all then :D :
@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!!
- 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! :) - 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! - 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.
