MRI was completed during a recent Hospital stay... partly by request of my mother. Stubbornness along with denial, as well as, poor cognitive insight related to atrophy of the brain is preventing my dad from seeking medical assistance from a neurologist. My mom and I need to attend a consult with a neurologist to know what to expect and to get a more specific diagnosis. Are we able to do that without my dad's presence?
I don't know if this might be more palatable to him: explain to your father that this is a follow up to the MRI scan, i.e. without going into detail about what you think the neurologist might be looking for, and that now he's spent all that money on the scan he might as well hear the results.
You have to be informed to make decisions, so I think attending the appointment, even w/o your father present, is justified. Just be sure to check the authorizing language.
If you think the neurologist might not agree, take a copy of the authorizing document with you for the appointment. You probably should also explain that your father's position is not conducive to making decisions that might have to be made, and your presence and decision making capacity facilitates getting the care he needs, so it's part of his "continuing care" requirements.
I've found that doctors are much more approachable these days, and I've been able to get them to return my calls to discuss specific issues. You might try leaving a message for the doctor, or even dropping off a letter explaining the circumstances.
Staff members probably aren't authorized to make these kinds of decisions, but doctors are.
Another option is to go with your father; his "stubbornness" and "denial" may make it very clear why you and your mother need to be involved!
So perhaps emphasize to the staff that you are willing to pay for the office visit up front and you might be able to get what you want.
Nomad, you raise an interesting issue, one about which I know nothing as I always accompanied my father on appointments. However, we've never been billed for telephone conversations when I've called PAs or spoke to doctors outside of the office.
Jess, just another thought. If the MRI was done at a hospital, there would be a report on it by whoever interpreted it. The neuro doctor would explain in understandable language. And, assuming he/she has access to hospital records (as do physicians here) if he/she practices at that hospital, then the interpretive report would be available through hospital records.
You could request that from that medical records department at the hospital.
That's what I've done. Then I could research all the terms I didn't understand and ask the follow-up doctor to explain the significance.
Now that said, I have found that specialists tend to be more willing to converse on the phone if you are hippa approved. My mom's cardiologist called ME to let me know the results of her device check and to call in a script for a blood thinner. No office visit required.
The chain docs offices with pa's and np's as your pcp, it's all about billing insurance.
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