Is this standard practice nowadays?

[hamsterjill]

I was at my internist's recently for a yearly exam. She suggested some wellness testing (i.e., mammogram, etc.). But she evidently made referrals to medical places that do these tests and now I've got those medical places calling me while I'm at work trying to schedule appointments.

Maybe I'm a real social derelict here, but I don't like being hassled. I have severe white coat syndrome, and I want to get through these tests one at a time on my OWN time frame. To my knowledge, I have nothing wrong with me that indicates that I need these tests immediately.

I didn't understand when I left the internist's offices that these places were going to be calling me. Rather, I was given names and phone numbers, etc. and I thought that I would be the one calling on my time frame to make appointments. I have either avoided the calls by not picking up or have politely told the places that I will get back to them when I'm ready. None have been rude. But one did leave a message on a general voicemail number at my office where someone else could hear the message. The message did not indicate what the test would be for but identified the name of the medical business, and it wouldn't be too hard to figure out what types of tests that they do.

Is this standard practice nowadays?

[Thirties Child]

1. Apparently standard practice

When doctors have recommended physical therapy, and given me a prescription, I've still gotten calls from centers they also recommended.

[djean111]

2. That has been my experience, too.

I HATE it.
I don't know if there is some sort of goal they have to meet, but they are very insistent.
I have Humana Gold, Medicare coverage. It seems like every couple of weeks I get a really intrusive questionnaire to fill out, too. And they ask about everyone in my home.
I toss them.

[hamsterjill]

3. I absolutely hate it, too.

Yes, I think it's nothing more than drumming up business when you have "good" insurance so that they know they'll get paid.

Every time I've gotten a phone call, it's made me angry. It's a very stressful thing for me to seek medical care because of some past issues in my childhood. I want to do the right thing, but it takes me being able to feel comfortable, etc. I can't feel comfortable when I feel like I'm being pushed to get something scheduled.

I will be taking the approach of one thing at a time over a period of time without rushing or stressing myself out too much. And if that doesn't work with my internist, then I guess I'll be looking around for someone else.

I'm with you as to any questionnaire. I haven't received one YET, but if I do I will not be filling anything out.

[Squinch]

4. I haven't experienced this. I would call the people back and tell them to stop calling

and that they are in violation of HIPAA for calling me at my work and leaving a message on a work number.

That ought to shut them up.

[hamsterjill]

5. I know!

I thought about HIPPA. I work with four men, and I just don't think it's any of their business that I'm getting a mammogram!

What is really pissing me off, I guess, is that I don't think I signed anything that asked if it was okay with me if the internist gave my phone numbers out.

[Squinch]

6. I might also call the doctor's office and tell them that you are getting these calls and don't want

them. And if the calls persist, I would report them: http://www.wikihow.com/Report-HIPAA-Violations

[Warpy]

8. It only violates HIPAA when they call with test results and put them on general office voicemail.

Just saying the name of the facility does not.

[Squinch]

10. Oh. Oh well. They have put such a fear of God into us about them, I just assume we can

all lose our licenses if we THINK about patient information outside of the approved places.

I was told by one agency not to have one patient's file in a closed, zipped, non-see-through pouch inside my purse when I visited another patient. I am guessing that was the agencies paranoia, now.

But thanks for the info.

[Warpy]

7. yes, for several reasons

First, a lot of these places are freestanding and don't coordinate with each other. Second, having the doc's office make the appointments while you were waiting often gave you appointments that conflicted with your own schedule and you were expected to make room for them. Unfortunately, you're getting all the calls at work instead of at home because business hours.

Getting baseline tests done while you are healthy is a good thing, especially things like mammograms.

[hamsterjill]

11. I don't want the doctor's offices making the appointments

I want to call the diagnostic places on my own time and convenience.

And I'd kind of like the opportunity to check them out little.

[silverweb]

9. A good reason to NOT give your work number.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]They can always leave a message on your cell phone or your home voicemail/machine, for you to return at your convenience.

[hamsterjill]

12. Lesson learned.

n/t