Community Conversation => Transitioning => Topic started by: Jenniferangelina on March 13, 2018, 06:10:05 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Still waiting
Post by: Jenniferangelina on March 13, 2018, 06:10:05 PM
I have contacted my doctors office about 2 weeks ago to get a referral to endocrinologist but my doctor never got back to me. the last few days I called once or twice to remind her but she has been ignoring me, every time i called in the past about "normal" stuff she got back to me same day. I know shes in the office because I'm told by staff that she is there and will get to me shortly. This is kaiser btw. I'm starting to wonder if its because I sent a message saying I'm trans as she is religious.
Title: Re: Still waiting
Post by: Northern Star Girl on March 13, 2018, 06:14:55 PM
Quote from: Jenniferangelina on March 13, 2018, 06:10:05 PM
I have contacted my doctors office about 2 weeks ago to get a referral to endocrinologist but my doctor never got back to me. the last few days I called once or twice to remind her but she has been ignoring me, every time i called in the past about "normal" stuff she got back to me same day. I know shes in the office because I'm told by staff that she is there and will get to me shortly. This is kaiser btw. I'm starting to wonder if its because I sent a message saying I'm trans as she is religious.

@ Jennifer:  That is not good.  Hopefully their office is just very busy.  In the medical office of the doctor that I usually go to it has 2 doctors working there and if my doctor can't see me in a timely manner they switch me to the other doctor in the same office... he has all the charts and notes so the continuity of my treatment is preserved.  If you still can't get action on the phone, go into the office and talk face to face... if possible with some other office staff person.
Good luck to you getting this done.
Danielle
Title: Re: Still waiting
Post by: Jessica on March 13, 2018, 06:30:18 PM
Hi Jennifer 🙋‍♀️ I'm a Kaiser member in Northern CA and hope it's just a busy office.  In the Bay Area it was pretty quick for me to get referrals and appointments.  If you really think your doctors biases are affecting your due care, then you should ask for a different doctor.  I know in the north and south Kaiser's there are gender clinics that can help you.

Hugs, Jessica 💁‍♀️
Title: Re: Still waiting
Post by: Michelle_P on March 13, 2018, 06:31:45 PM
Quote from: Jenniferangelina on March 13, 2018, 06:10:05 PM
I have contacted my doctors office about 2 weeks ago to get a referral to endocrinologist but my doctor never got back to me. the last few days I called once or twice to remind her but she has been ignoring me, every time i called in the past about "normal" stuff she got back to me same day. I know shes in the office because I'm told by staff that she is there and will get to me shortly. This is kaiser btw. I'm starting to wonder if its because I sent a message saying I'm trans as she is religious.

At Kaiser, a very large organization, there is a Member Services office that you can raise any questions with.  A doctor is normally required to respond to a message or request within 3 business days.  What I suggest is:

1) Send the doctor a written request via the Kaiser message system ("Mail Your Doctor" on the kp.org web site). Be polite.  Your mail messages become part of your record, as well as the doctor's.
2) If you do not have a response on the fourth business day, contact Member Services via mail on kp.org or by phone.
3) If you do not have a satisfactory result, you can go through the Member Services page at kp.org to file a request, or grievance, which will be handled by a specialist in Member Services.  They will typically call you to verify the complaint, and within a few weeks will give you a resolution, such as an immediate appointment with one of the LGBTQ friendly doctors. (Many KP regions now maintain lists of doctors who have expressed a special interest in LGBTQ support.)

Michelle P., A more or less satisfied Kaiser member who has used this process...