Definitely get yourself a new PCP as soon as you can. This current one sounds like a loser. And the equally bad offender in the whole situation is your insurance, which, of course, has that referral system bureacracy in place for precisely this reason: to be a hassle that impedes your getting the care you need so they don't have to pay for it. I'd be curious to know if your plan is one of those that incents PCPs for not making those referrals. I'd bet anything it is. (That ought to be against the law, and in many places it will be before long.)

Is there any way you can keep that Wednesday neuro appointment and simply pay for it out of pocket? A basic fee-for-service neuro office visit without any testing is, for me, one of the most affordable appointments there is, at least here in the Dallas metro area. I hate for you not to be able to at least get in for the initial visit. Then, once you've seen a new PCP and gotten an official referral, you can go back in for a longer followup and be referred for any testing they think you need.

The only other thing I can think of would be for you to go into the ER with your complaint and see the neurologist on call but that's going to be a far more expensive prospect than just paying for that Wednesday basic office visit up front.

If you still want to try and finagle a referral from Dr. Holdout, does she have a nurse or a PA or a nurse-practitioner, by any chance? You can often get those professionals on the phone more easily and then engineer a referral that way. What I want to know is what happened. I mean, if she made you that verbal assurance she'd give you a referral, is it she who's standing in the way or is it a breakdown somewhere on the office-staff level? Is it some misconception she has about you or your symptoms?

I know it's frustrating. Once you get through this and get to the point you can tell that PCP to take a flying leap, I'll be happy to help you construct a letter if you want to.
birdgirl73 Reviewed by birdgirl73 on . New PCP I really want to cut off the head of the medical profession right now. I recently got a new Primary Care Physician after my other one didn't work out. This one seemed okay. I've had 3 appts with her discussing my neurological issues and how severely they are impacting upon my performance in college (I've had to drop out 2 times- went from the Dean's List to academic probation in two years despite quitting smoking, and even then it didn't affect my learning) and at work. I can hardly drive Rating: 5