Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."
Ms. Young: "Hi, I was referred by Dr. Neverheardofhim, and he says you need to work me in RIGHT AWAY. Like, today. Now."
Mary: "We have nothing open today... I can do next Wednesday, at 2:30, or..."
Ms. Young: "I looked it up! On the internet it says you are legally obligated to get me in, since my doctor referred me urgently!"
Mary: "Uh, no. If you have an emergency you'll need to go to ER. We don't have any kind of relationship with Dr. Neverheardofhim. The soonest I get you in is Wednesday, though I can put you on a waiting list for..."
Ms. Young: "This is terrible that you're breaking the law like this! I'm going to call my cousin, who's a lawyer!"
She hung up
2 hours later
Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."
Ms. Young: "Hi, um, I was referred by Dr. Neverheardofhim, I called earlier, and I decided I'll take the Wednesday appointment."
Mary: "I'm sorry, but it's no longer available. We can see you Friday morning, at 8:00, or..."
Ms. Young: "You gave away my appointment? You can't do that!"
Mary:
"You never made an appointment."
Ms. Young: "You offered it to me! That's the same thing! I looked it up! On the internet it says you are legally obligated to hold it for me."
Mary: "I'm not going to argue with you. Would you like the Friday morning slot?"
Ms. Young: "This is terrible that you're breaking the law like this! I'm going to call my cousin, who's a lawyer!"
She hung up
1 hour later.
Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."
Ms. Young: "Hi, um, I called earlier, I was referred by Dr. Neverheardofhim, can I take the Friday morning appointment? Is it still available?"
Mary: "It is, that's Friday morning at 8:00. Okay, what insurance do you have?"
Ms. Young: "Federal United Healthcare."
Mary:
"Oh... I'm sorry, Dr. Grumpy isn't contracted with F-U Healthcare."
Ms. Young: "Dr. Neverheardofhim referred me! So you have to take it! I looked it up on the internet!"
Mary: "We don't take that plan, so you'll have to try their website to find a neurologist who does."
Ms. Young: "No, that's YOUR job! You need to find someone who takes my insurance, and have them work me in! It's the law! I looked it up on the internet! I'm going to call my cousin, who's a lawyer!"
Mary hung up