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I made a new-patient appointment with an ophthalmologist (my insurance considers a specialist) a couple of weeks ago and was only asked my name, phone number and insurance info.
Yes, but they don't prescribe opioids or other Schedule IV drugs.
A lot of people go from doc to doc trying to get pain pills, and the doctors are trying to nip it in the bud. I wouldn't have an issue with this.
Well, the way I see it, I don’t need a doctor who needs PERMISSION from another doctor to simply see me.
I’m sure that anyone can find out anything about anyone. This whole thing just struck me as so odd. I’m wondering if the person on the phone was new and was giving too much information (as someone else posted).
Maybe one of the doctors in that practice got into trouble prescribing to someone who then sold the pills. That's the only thing I can figure. Otherwise, that's outrageous. Unless your ins. if iffy, and you'll be paying out of pocket. I'd guess that some patients don't pay or are slow payers.
Well OP, the lady told you that the background check is for controlled substances. Doing a background check for that reason is not unusual. The drug crisis in this country is so bad that there are drug addicts in their fifties and sixties. All doctors are told to watch out for signs of this during an examination and when reviewing a patient's records.
As for the permission to see another doctor, each clinic or hospital operates under its own rules, and needing permission to see another doctor is also not unusual. I see a GP at a local suburban clinic that is owned by a large hospital in the city. I am only allowed to see this one GP there. If he is busy or on vacation, I am not allowed to see any other GP there, or at any clinic operated by this hospital, even if it is a matter of life and death. I know this because one time when I was very sick, I could not get in to see my GP for seven weeks due to his busy schedule!! They would not let me see another GP there, or at any of their other locations. Many hospitals take this same attitude, that is you must see the doctor that you are assigned.
Keep in mind that they are in this business to make money, not to keep you well. Making money and covering their butts are priorities over your health.
Some of the doctors in our area require patients submit to initial and "random" drug testing. Even for patients who aren't using or requesting any drugs.
A few others have stopped accepting insurance and only do "concierge" medicine where everybody pays them a monthly fee whether they are seen or not.
As the number of doctors per capita continues to dwindle I suspect we'll see more and more of them with this "take it or leave it" approach.
If there were controlled substances issues found in the background, the doctor wouldn't see the person? I thought doctors were supposed to help sick people. This is a crazy, upside-down world.
i work in health care and regarding controlled substance use, yes there are people who go to several doctors and get meds from several different doctors and they are at risk for overdose and death and yes this happens and when it does any of the prescribing doctors can get in trouble for not checking carefully enough if the person was getting meds from other doctors. It is a health risk and it is a liability risk. Not all doctors share information with each other, not all medical records systems are connected to each other. It's only recently (think opioid crisis and all the attendant publicity) that states are now taking steps to try and have this information more readily available for other health care providers to access. It's also one of the reasons prescription refills are given in smaller quantities, to minimize the risk of overdose and death and mixing medications.
that's what comes to mind reading this thread topic
Sounds like the doctor you want to see has been reprimanded for being a pill pusher and his partners are protecting themselves from insurance or legal issues.
Just say no? (like the OP did) I wouldn't do it.
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I wouldn't either. Just say no.Just say HELL no.
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