I finally got an appointment with the surgeon's office. I was so looking forward to getting a date. Now, they tell me they won't schedule a date until I get the clearances from the Pulmonary Dr. and Cardoligist.

I have an appt with the pulmonary on Sep 5th and my PCP's office (who gave me a hard time getting a referral for the pumonologist) is now giving me a hard time getting the referral for the Cardiologist.

Even thought I had my annual physical on Aug. 7th, they won't release my chest x-ray without another office visit. Money hungry?

It's like you take 1 step forward and get knocked back 10 steps.

Looking like October surgery. 11 months. Well, I can't do anything about it and had to vent.

That sucks....don't loose faith.

Yeah....thats how it is unfortunately..but don't give up.

That really sucks, I started my journey June 11th and have my surgery next Friday its amazing how some insurance co's want to drag it out.

sorry really suck.. try to schedule the pulmonary and cardiology visit in advance sometimes it take a month to get the appointments.

Can you have your surgeon give you a referral since it's related to your surgery? Or is it an insurance requirement that it be from your PCP? Why are they giving you a tough time about it? That's a bummer, I hope they stop dragging their feet!

you do not need another dr's appt to get your chest x-ray. you just need to request in from medical records or have the pulmonologist/cardiologist request it and they have to do it.

you do not need another dr's appt to get your chest x-ray. you just need to request in from medical records or have the pulmonologist/cardiologist request it and they have to do it.

I agree. You do not need another visit. Call the cardiologist or pulmonologist office and fill out their release of medical records form. Specifically list the x-ray on the form if you must. If you ask the office staff for help and tell them you had a chest x-ray, they can make sure it is listed on the form to obtain it for you. Your PCP may not send the x-ray films, but at the least, they will send the over-read of your x-ray which could hinder things a bit.

Can you have your surgeon give you a referral since it's related to your surgery? Or is it an insurance requirement that it be from your PCP? Why are they giving you a tough time about it? That's a bummer, I hope they stop dragging their feet!

I agree. Try this.

The surgeon cannot issue a referral with my ins, but he did call my PCP and got him to do the referral.