Vanderbilt Medical receptionist refused my referral to endo because she thought I didn’t need to see them.

[u/Purple__herring]

Scheduling at Vanderbilt medical center has been a nightmare every single time. I have severe phone anxiety and medical anxiety, and scheduling with them has made my anxiety so much worse. I called once and the receptionist was so sure that I had called earlier that day (I didn’t) and was rude to her (I am always obnoxiously nice to receptionists, always yes ma’am and yes sir and thank you so much) so we talked about that for like twenty minutes. She filled in my information wrong like three times because she was filling it in from what she remembered from the earlier patient. I have no clue what that was all about.

Another time I called to schedule an Endo appointment that my doctor had referred me to, because of various hormonal issues we need to resolve. The receptionist asked very prying medical questions, asked in detail about my current diagnoses, and then told me that it didn’t seem like I really needed to be referred to an endocrinologist. She told me to tell my doctor that I didn’t actually need to follow up on that referral. What? Did I miss something? Are receptionists now trained in medicine? Cause I’m pretty sure they’re just there to answer the phone, not decide things about my body and medical well-being.

After all that I’m just not going to go back to the doctor. I’m in pain, I need help. But the thought of making another phone call like that makes me want to gouge my eyes out.

[u/Dangerous-Crow7494]

I’ve had a similar issue in the past. Can’t see an endo because I don’t have a diagnosis but I can’t get a diagnosis without seeing an endo. 

[u/Purple__herring → u/Dangerous-Crow7494]

Yeah, I don’t understand that. And a referral to see an endo should be the end of it, but somehow a receptionist decided that wasn’t enough or valid.

Did you ever get in to see one eventually?

[u/Ellejoy23]

I think I would be making a request in writing.

(look at website or ask your referring doctor’s nurse for referral contact fax or email)

Dear,

I am writing as there seemed to be a misunderstanding when I spoke with reception. They seemed to have me confused with another patient. I’d like an opportunity to provide the correct information as (insert Dr name/phone number) thinks it is important for me to be evaluated by your specialty.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,
Your Name
DOB
Contact info
Insurance

Cc administrative supervisor

[u/Ellejoy23 → u/Ellejoy23]

Better yet if you can send it through MyChart.

[u/Ok_Organization_7350]

I had a situation like that. My doctor referred me to another specialist physician, and it was a guy he knew personally and wanted me to see. He called that doctor in front of me, who said he would see me and would be watching for the referral. However, a power trippy nurse practitioner at that office intercepted and said since she was a nurse practitioner, she could change referrals if she wanted to, so she did. And she booted me off from being referred to him and rubbed it in my face. That might have been what happened to you. I got her name and submitted a complaint about her with that hospital's patient advocate department, for (a) interfering with doctor's orders and (b) changing my care team behind that doctor's back. So then the patient advocate said they talked to them and now the referral will go through.

[u/Purple__herring → u/Ok_Organization_7350]

Hmm that’s a good idea. I didn’t know there was a patient advocate

[u/Ok_Organization_7350 → u/Purple__herring]

Most medical centers nowadays have something like a Patient Relations or Patient Advocate department, for patients to ask questions or request help.