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“Be Aware of self referrals”

written by Johnstonhq1991 on 08/02/2016

I had an issue with noise in my ears - it came on suddenly and effected my sleep.

Saw my GP and he couldn't have been less helpful. "Nothing we can do" he said during the 2 minute appointment.
I really felt he simply had better things to do with his time than listen to patients.

So I thought it would be worth seeing an ENT as a self referral - just to get to spend a little more time to investiate what might be the problem.

I was aware it might be true nothing could be done - but worth finding out.

If it was more serious I assumed I could then go back to my GP and tell him a consultant feels this needs treatment.
And that I could then be referred and treatment needed paid for.

I spoke to Exeter Family Friendly and was told if I saw a consultant and paid for it myself - I could then never claim for any health issues discovered - even if serious and life threatening!

I asked "What about if I then went back to my GP and told him of what was found - could they then refer me for treatment?".

"No most definitely not" - even if a serious medical condition was found and the GP then referred me I could never claim under my insurance because I had seen a consultant first about the condition.

It made me aware you are very reliant on a good and friendly GP being willing to refer you in the first instance. And also on being able to see them - there's a 4 week wait where I live.

I suspect this is not unique to Exeter Family Friendly. But be aware if you can't get to see your doctor or if the doctor is unhelpful - you won't be able to make a claim via Exeter Family Friendly.