Orthopedic Dr. Followup while traveling?

Jim & Alice · November 9, 2015

We are in the process of an 'interesting experience' while camped at Lake Tawakoni, TX.

Saturday night, my wife fell and broke two fingers. Went to an Emergency Room in Rockwall, Texas, got x-rayed, treated, and fingers set in a brace. Excellent experience. As we left the ER door, the last instruction was to call an Orthopedic Dr., and have a x-ray review done 'just to make sure'. We are moving to Texarkana in 2 days, so called there to make appointment. My wife is from Texarkana, many relatives there... we met & married there. We have paperwork, and DVD of x-rays. We have insurance.

Just called Collom & Carney Clinic in Texarkana, made an appointment - no problem. Thirty minutes later, got a call back from Collom & Carney, canceling the appointment. Reason - "because we are travelers, and will not be able to have a follow-up visit'. I asked for any other Orthopedic Doctors... and was told they all work for Collom & Carney, and they are not available, same reason.

Anyone ever encounter this situation while traveling? We are mystified... We don't even know when we can remove the cast... Any advice?

Thanks,

Jim

lappir · November 9, 2015

Unfortunately you provided too much information when you called. They don't need to know you are "travelers" until after they have seen and evaluated you, and you them. If you are going to be in that area for a bit of time, call them back and explain the situation with the clinical manager. You might be able to convince them to see you. It's sad what we have done with our Healthcare system. Good luck.

Rod

2gypsies · November 10, 2015

Anyone who travels either by RV, air, train or car can be injured and require medical treatment. We have had to do so a couple times and have had no problems. If they won't treat you try another doctor. Last resort - go to the hospital emergency, just state you're traveling and explain the problem. Good luck. This shouldn't be an issue.

Jim & Alice · November 10, 2015

Last resort - go to the hospital emergency, just state you're traveling and explain the problem. Good luck. This shouldn't be an issue.

This would be a little humorous if it weren't such a pain to deal with. We started this with the original ER visit in Rockwall (see original post), and this is just for a followup visit to check the bone settings and splints. A check with our Doctor back in Michigan, and he said "Get this done!". However, apparently Collom & Carney Clinic in Texarkana have all the Orthopedic Physicians in Texarkana... There are no other options there. I was told directly there are no other Physicians available to do this.

I escalated the situation with their Clinic Business Management and am getting an 'improved' response... but no conclusion yet. Meanwhile, we are expanding the search for an Orthopedic Doctor to surrounding towns. Our relatives are helping out, as well as scratching their heads...

And ya know... I worked in Hospital Administration for many years... my mother was a Nurse (At Collom & Carney of all places)... and I am scratching MY head on how could this happen.

We'll see.

nana25k · November 10, 2015

I had a similar type experience last fall. I injured a finger, didn't seem to be healing as fast as I thought. Called a ortho/ hand specialist in MS where we were volunteering. Their first response was that I needed a referral. Thinking it was insurance I explained our insurance didn't require it. Nope they just wanted a referral from a Dr to their practice. A conversation with office manager fixed it.

Jim & Alice · November 11, 2015

I had a similar type experience last fall.

Interesting. I don't think it used to be that way. Thanks.

Jim

Jim & Alice · November 11, 2015

For closure on this post... We got resolution to this problem.

After talking to the Business manager last night, she was able to get us an appointment with a PA that specializes in orthopedics. Seeing as how this is just a followup exam, I think that is fine.

But I must say, it appears that ALL the Orthopedic Physicians in the Texarkana have consolidated into the Collom & Carney Clinic. My initial contact with the clinic resulted in a complete lack of access to ortho physicians... if I had not escalated the problem, hard telling where we would be going to get treatment. This is worrisome.

Jim

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

13 November 2015 - Post Closure.

Had an exam by a very excellent PA. Saw an MD today as a followup to that. Got referred to a Surgeon in Shreveport, LA.

After talking with the good folks at Collom & Carney... I believe what happened is that during the initial phone contact they heard "RV fulltimers" and they assumed that we would be in town one (1) day only - hence the "no followup" reason for canceling our appointment. I believe someone after the initial phone appointment was concluded, made the interpretation of 'one' day. I sensed some slight embarrassment about the whole thing. We will be sticking with the Doctor at Collom & Carney for the duration.

Lesson learned? Perhaps like 1Rod suggested... just be 'brief with non-essential information. Or, perhaps, emphasize that you will be in the area as long as Full Treatment takes.

Jim

bigjim · November 11, 2015

I was seen in Memphis, Tx by an orthopedist at Campbell Clinic. I called yesterday to get seen about the original problem and to check on on an injury I had this summer to soft tissue in the same leg. I was told I could be seen about the original issue but was not able to be seen about the new one. I was referred up the line and I called and got a voicemail that said they would return my call.. I haven't heard back but will call again tomorrow. This doesn' seem to make any sense. There seems to be strange things going on in healthcare these days.