[charolastra00]

Hiya chicks! I have to schedule several doctors appointments and that's normally been my mom's department, so I don't know what to do! I have to make an appointment with an allergist and a gyno primarily, and I don't want to tell my mom about the gyno appointment because it will only upset her. So when I find out everything's OK, then I'll tell her. There's not much she can do from 1000 miles anyway and what she doesn't know won't kill her!

Anyway, what is the difference between group payment and pay for service in terms of insurance? I used my insurance's search engine and there's a distinction between the two. The insurance site does not explain much. O.o

Also, when making an appointment, what do you say? Just that you want an appointment? In the case of the gyno, do you have to list symptoms?

Do you have to have a GP? My doctor is in Georgia and I'm only there a month and a half out of the year and haven't seen her in awhile so while I'd put her down on my medical forms, I don't know how relevant she is.

I know this is probably common sense stuff but doctors freak me out enough already, so I'd like to know what I'm getting in to!

[betsysunqueen]

I'm going to avoid the insurance questions . . . I always get confused by that stuff.

Usually when I call to make an appointment at the gyno, they ask me what I need. If it's an annual, I tell them that. Otherwise I give them a quick rundown of my symptoms (for example, "pelvic pain" or "odd discharge." No need to give more details than you're comfortable with, but I like to know that the time is blocked off to deal with my particular issue).

I haven't seen a GP since I was in college. If the gyno ever askes me if I have one, I just say no. I've never known one to press the issue (I imagine the exception would be if the patient had some health condition that needed managing . . . in that case they might recommend that you get a GP).

Good luck!

[tomandkara]

Call your insurance company, Allie. You might be on hold for a couple minutes before you get to talk to someone, but at least you can get your question answered.

Kara

[Barb0522]

Yes, this is one where you have to understand how your particular insurance works. For example, if you are on an HMO you may have to go through a GP first but I am on a PPO so I can go directly to a specialist. I can go to one that is on the preferred list and it will save me money or if I choose to (like in the case of my son's pediatric dentist), I can go to one not on the list and I pay the doctor/dentist and they reimburse me what the insurance considers fair. Every insurance is different.

They may or may not ask for symptoms. Just leave that up to them. A gyno probably will need to have an idea of how long the appointment should be so you might need to list some. You also will probably have to come in a few minutes before your appointment to fill out paperwork since it will be your first visit with that doctor. That is normal and nothing to worry about.

[ladybugnessa]

yeah my insurance is different
call your company and ask them
as for the appts
you call the gyno tell them the symptoms and schedule an appt
unless you are HMO you probably don't need a referral.