atrailofbreadcrumbs t1_iu2sywa wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:13 AM

You need to call more than 3 hospitals, probably a few outside of the top 3 in the city as these are going to be heavily booked for specialty care. There's like 20+ in the city limits alone, probably dozens in the Greater Boston area, I'd reach to some of those. Probably could reach out to MGH/Brigham/BI off their main campuses to see if they're available as well if you're dead set on one of those.

Honestly November is in 4 days, so MGH sounds like they're a good bet. If you need to see someone within the next week or something I would call around & if you still can't find a spot then talk to your PCP you got and see if it's worthwhile to go to urgent care. Also did your PCP not give you specific contacts w/the referral?

UltimateZo OP t1_iu2uriz wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:28 AM

Yes I am definitely going to reach out to places outside of the "top 3". I wasn't really deadest, I just assumed they would actually have the most availability because they are the largest. Clearly that was a mistake.

As far as MGH I am waiting on them to evaluated my referral, and once that has happened they will be able to schedule me for an appointment. I am not sure how long it will take, and no one will call me about it either. It just sometime within now to 2 weeks out. Weird that its just so arbitrary and in the air?

No the PCP is located out in Amherst, MA and she did not send contacts with the referral. I was told to call around to hospitals nearby and then tell the patient care coordinator where to send the referral once I had figured out where I want to be seen.

atrailofbreadcrumbs t1_iu2whj8 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:44 AM

Ok I would try some spots outside of Boston but nearby, I see some other recommendations in the thread that you have like Tufts, so go with those. I would add in others outside of Boston proper, BIDMC Milton for example may be able to accommodate you sooner than the main campus (assuming they're only checkin at main if you're calling main). Definitely go to the ER if it happens again, and if it's possible to speak with that Amherst PCP again I would maybe try to confirm you can wait a couple weeks, or if it's something that needs to be looked at in terms of days.

Definitely start the process to get a PCP here in the city as soon as you can, for example I have a BI associated PCP & I get referred to people within the hospital to get appointments rather than just a general referral. Will be way less stressful in the future for any kind of medical treatment including annuals physicals with a PCP.

Good luck and hope it's not too seriosu!

UltimateZo OP t1_iu2xelz wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:52 AM

Yup this is exactly what I am going to do. Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate. Wishing you all the best as well!