I have been reading all of the posts each day and I feel so bad for each of you that are suffering physical as well as managed care problems. I am holding out hope that there are qualified doctors and technicians out there who have experience with adhesions and that we will find them. I too can self-refer without my GP. But that can backfire also. A nurse actually came out and told me that while I CAN self-refer, the doctors prefer that the GP refer me. After several "chase my tail" experiences I decided to find another way. I called my insurance company and asked for help. I found a doctor (out of network) 3 hours from here who has extensive experience with adhesion cases. Then I asked the insurance company for assistance in getting this doctor to be covered by my copay insurance. She explained that if there was not a comparable doctor within 30 miles of me...they would cover him, even though he was out of network. This put the challange of discovery on the insurance company NOT on me. She found a doctor with comparable experience in my local city. I will see him in November. The insurance company wants me to be satisfied and it will cost less money if they will assist me. I could self refer to dozens of doctors (incurring high costs) or they can help me themselves. We will see! I share this stategy in the hope that it may help someone who is discouraged with their managed care situation.
-- Merri Ellen