How do you get an EP?

hi all and Happy Easter !
I 'm having problems and ended up in the ER last Thursday. I had chest pain and I had a sort of "quivering" feeling in my chest. by the time I got there ( 2 hours) all was normal on the EKG. I also have COPD and had a hard time breathing and so they gave me a breathing treatment and different asthma spray "that is not so hard on my heart".
I'm having a problem with my cardiologist. He does not explain anything, just gives me meds and tells me to come back in 3 months. When I was hospitalized end of January , he actually came into the room and told me that I was not his patient ?? I had just seen him 2 weeks prior to that event and had seen him several times before that. -When in the ER , the ER doctor called my cardio and I finally got a diagnosis "paroxymal supraventricular tachycardia." The PM interrogators had told me I have ventricular tachycardia which really upset me.So I'm glad it's not that ! -Manyof you told me to see an EP, and I thought the doctor who put my PM in , is an EP, but found out now he is just a thoracic surgeon. Who would have to give me a referral to an EP, the cardio or my family doctor? I have a medicaid card and I'm getting the feeling that most doctors don't want to take care of me, due to the fact that medicaid only pays so little. My coverage will be running out end of July and I want to make sure I get at least diagnosed and taking care of correctly by then.
Thanks
Elke

6 Comments

Finding an EP.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-03-23 03:03:42

Hi Elke.

www.wellness.com/find/Cardiac9620Electrophysiologist

Good luck.

~ Dominique ~

Referral Process

by Carol - 2008-03-23 06:03:11

Hi and sorry you're having a rough time being seen. Either of your doctors can refer you to an EP doctor in your vicinity...OR you could call one and make an appt. for yourself. It usually takes a while to get seen unless your own doctor is willing to "push" for you. With an arrythmia, you certainly are an appropriate referral. Your doctors should know if there is an electrophysiologist in your area...many cardiology groups have one or two depending on their size. Otherwise the web site given by Dominique or a call to any cardiology group in your area could help you.
Good luck in your search,
Carol

ok thanks

by Elke - 2008-03-23 08:03:17

thank you for your advice.
Under the medicaid program , I have to have be referrel by a doctor or they won't pay for it. I think I'll try to get a referral from my cardio, and if he refuses, then from my unless family doctor.
Elke

Medicaid

by auntiesamm - 2008-03-24 02:03:13

Hi Elke,

Sorry you are having problems navigating the Medicaid system (MediCal here in CA). Because of cuts in government spending (yeah right) there are very few physicians who will take Medicaid patients. Reimbursement is very poor and sometimes it takes months to receive payment. You might contact the Medicaid office locally or at the state level and see if they can give you names of EPs who are known providers under Medicaid. If you have the patience you might actually get to a person who will give you this information. Or, if you end up in the ER again ask the nurses or doctors if they know of an EP who takes Medicaid. Since you have access to a computer you can also go online in your state and try to wind your way through the cyberworld of Medicaid. It may take a while and a lot of patience but the names of the physicians who accept Medicaid are available somewhere! Good luck as you try to work through a very cumbersome system!
Sharon

Options..

by Swedeheart - 2008-03-24 02:03:21

If you have difficulty getting a referral to a EP, I am not sure if the following suggestions would work, but I would certainly try them...

Try your cardio and family doctor first.
If you have no luck, simply try another doctor, perhaps at a clinic.
If that doesn't work, you might contact your local medicaid office and see if you can speak to someone who is sympathetic to your needs. Often a good caseworker or secretary knows the ropes better than anyone and can direct you to a successful outcome! You will have to put on the charm and thank them and go through all of that, but sometimes when I have tried to navigate through government red tape I have found it worthwhile!

Good luck. I hope you find someone who can give you the care you deserve!

Let us know!

by Swedeheart - 2008-03-24 03:03:51

Elke,

Please keep us updated on your progress with finding someone to help you! We might not have all the answers, but maybe together we can brainstorm and help you find other avenues to pursue before your time runs out! It appears that Sharon above gave some great advice!

We are hoping you are doing better!

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