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Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
#14272763
02/03/22 08:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 780
SenkoSam
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 780 |
I suppose medical specialists have their uses, but recently I been wondering if so many referrals are necessary along with the number of tests ordered by each specialist. All of the ones I been seeing recently referred by my GP, are all part of the same association and I can't but wonder what was and what wasn't necessary. Second opinions are expensive if not covered by insurance leaving the patient in a quandary - should I or shouldn't I especially when it comes to surgery?
Recently I was referred to a urologist who spent maybe 15 minutes with me. He was seeing patients like they were on a production line. Used to be that a finger up your you know what was enough to determine prostate enlargement. But an MRI?!! Think I'll cancel that test tomorrow. At least the med. he put me on has reduced urinary frequency at night. Why couldn't my GP have done that?!
Man do I miss my previous family's GP that passed away years ago. In his case, one size fit all!
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: SenkoSam]
#14272765
02/03/22 09:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,321
RedRanger
burro desagradable
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burro desagradable
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,321 |
Only for insurance purpose, you pay out of pocket then not needed.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: SenkoSam]
#14273255
02/03/22 05:37 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 301
JAlfred
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 301 |
This my second year with a Medicare Advantage policy that does not require referrals. This feature has been very helpful in the past couple of years while dealing with an enlarged prostate. I've never wound up using the provider I used for a second opinion, but it's been comforting to get the opinion. Insurance paid for the second opinion as well.
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: JAlfred]
#14273268
02/03/22 05:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 54,463
RayBob
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 54,463 |
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal.
Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: SenkoSam]
#14273313
02/03/22 06:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,803
gregpaul
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,803 |
Avoid this instrument if you can.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: SenkoSam]
#14273375
02/03/22 06:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,041
Hard Rain
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,041 |
^^^ Shiver me Timbers
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: JAlfred]
#14273385
02/03/22 06:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,528
JCBYEN
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,528 |
This my second year with a Medicare Advantage policy that does not require referrals. This feature has been very helpful in the past couple of years while dealing with an enlarged prostate. I've never wound up using the provider I used for a second opinion, but it's been comforting to get the opinion. Insurance paid for the second opinion as well.
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal. So how was it after the procedure? Any complications?
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: SenkoSam]
#14273684
02/03/22 10:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,733
Fishin' Nut
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,733 |
I suppose medical specialists have their uses, but recently I been wondering if so many referrals are necessary along with the number of tests ordered by each specialist. All of the ones I been seeing recently referred by my GP, are all part of the same association and I can't but wonder what was and what wasn't necessary. Second opinions are expensive if not covered by insurance leaving the patient in a quandary - should I or shouldn't I especially when it comes to surgery?
Recently I was referred to a urologist who spent maybe 15 minutes with me. He was seeing patients like they were on a production line. Used to be that a finger up your you know what was enough to determine prostate enlargement. But an MRI?!! Think I'll cancel that test tomorrow. At least the med. he put me on has reduced urinary frequency at night. Why couldn't my GP have done that?!
Man do I miss my previous family's GP that passed away years ago. In his case, one size fit all! What is your PSA level? A MRI is used to see if cancer is present, which a finger cannot detect. That's how mine was discovered.
He is truly a sick individual.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: Fishin' Nut]
#14273701
02/03/22 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,520
TR176
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,520 |
I suppose medical specialists have their uses, but recently I been wondering if so many referrals are necessary along with the number of tests ordered by each specialist. All of the ones I been seeing recently referred by my GP, are all part of the same association and I can't but wonder what was and what wasn't necessary. Second opinions are expensive if not covered by insurance leaving the patient in a quandary - should I or shouldn't I especially when it comes to surgery?
Recently I was referred to a urologist who spent maybe 15 minutes with me. He was seeing patients like they were on a production line. Used to be that a finger up your you know what was enough to determine prostate enlargement. But an MRI?!! Think I'll cancel that test tomorrow. At least the med. he put me on has reduced urinary frequency at night. Why couldn't my GP have done that?!
Man do I miss my previous family's GP that passed away years ago. In his case, one size fit all! What is your PSA level? A MRI is used to see if cancer is present, which a finger cannot detect. That's how mine was discovered. They use a probe.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: JCBYEN]
#14274729
02/04/22 06:55 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 301
JAlfred
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 301 |
This my second year with a Medicare Advantage policy that does not require referrals. This feature has been very helpful in the past couple of years while dealing with an enlarged prostate. I've never wound up using the provider I used for a second opinion, but it's been comforting to get the opinion. Insurance paid for the second opinion as well.
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal. So how was it after the procedure? Any complications? Infection a few days after the procedure which was cleared up with antibiotics. Enlarged prostate symptoms decreased dramatically, but then started to return. Now, 4 months later, I suspect I will eventually have TURP. Appointment next week to review options.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: JAlfred]
#14274917
02/04/22 09:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,528
JCBYEN
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,528 |
This my second year with a Medicare Advantage policy that does not require referrals. This feature has been very helpful in the past couple of years while dealing with an enlarged prostate. I've never wound up using the provider I used for a second opinion, but it's been comforting to get the opinion. Insurance paid for the second opinion as well.
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal. So how was it after the procedure? Any complications? Infection a few days after the procedure which was cleared up with antibiotics. Enlarged prostate symptoms decreased dramatically, but then started to return. Now, 4 months later, I suspect I will eventually have TURP. Appointment next week to review options. Damn, hate to hear that. Hope it works out for you.
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Re: Medical specialist - always needed via referral?
[Re: JAlfred]
#14275064
02/04/22 11:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 61,053
LoneStarSon
Private Dancer
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Private Dancer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 61,053 |
This my second year with a Medicare Advantage policy that does not require referrals. This feature has been very helpful in the past couple of years while dealing with an enlarged prostate. I've never wound up using the provider I used for a second opinion, but it's been comforting to get the opinion. Insurance paid for the second opinion as well.
Pro tip based on personal experience: If you are ever given the option to have the Urolift procedure, insist that it be done under general anesthesia. The office procedure is brutal. So how was it after the procedure? Any complications? Infection a few days after the procedure which was cleared up with antibiotics. Enlarged prostate symptoms decreased dramatically, but then started to return. Now, 4 months later, I suspect I will eventually have TURP. Appointment next week to review options. Dr Charles Secrest in Fort Worth is one of the best urologists in the state, especially for men. I was finally able to get my best friend in to see him and he has helped him tremendously. When he had to have some bladder stones blasted, the nurses at the hospital told us that people travel from California, Mexico, etc. to see him. His fellow, Dr. Valadez is also excellent. If y'all need a good urologist, I'd definitely look him up.
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