Still No Approval but a Phone Call

I received a phone call this morning from my medical group. The woman said that she needed some answers regarding my authorization and my doctor's office has not been returning her calls. Hmmm! Well that explains the break down, I suppose.

She needed to know who initiated the request for a second opinion...relevant, how?? And what type of oncologist I wanted to see surgical or medical. Hmmmm! Hmmmm! Doc's office said they already were asked to give a specific doc's name at City of Hope. Really any will do but my primary care doc obliged and gave them a name of an onco they are familiar with.

In her defense the woman on the other end of the phone was very nice and full of empathy for my situation. She said she hoped to be able to call me with a decision today and if not sometime this week. I didn't hear anything today so I expect it will be this week.

Thinking back on it I should have told them it was at the request of my doc, huh? Who am I to request a second opinion???!!! I know it is my "right" as a patient but we all know they don't give a rat's patootie about what I think! Darn! I should be quicker on my toes. Technically speaking my primary did initiate the referral but that is symantics really. Who cares who initiated the darn thing, it's needed! Ugh!!

Nothing...stil!

My doctor called last Thursday to let me know they still have not heard anything regarding the City of Hope referral. I was told he was putting a call into the medical director who makes the ultimate decision. He agrees that this is taking entirely too long. Hopefully I will get an answer this week so I can get going!

I had the bump in my foot looked at...he said it looks like a growth but unsure if it is related. We are watching it... It hurts to wear shoes so I don't know how much longer I can continue "watching" it.

I also mentioned the numbness and tingling I experience every time I bend at the waist. He didn't have much insight except to say that I should hear about my authorization soon. I suppose he feels it's all related and should be tended to by an oncologist.

I'll be in touch!