http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254 Back in August, my eldest son had a series of allergy tests done. His allergist had mentioned that his food allergies should start going away soon, but that he'd probably pick up more seasonal allergies, and I wanted to have his peanut allergy test re-done to see where we stand with that one. I wasn't sure how long we had to wait before he got re-tested, so I called them today. &nbsp; ME - Hi I need to find out when my son needs to have allergy tests done again. Lady - You have to talk to the doctor about that. ME - ok, can I leave him a message or something? Lady - No you have to have an appointment to talk to him. ME - OKAY, Can I make an appointment then? Lady - No, you need a referral. ME - Do I call the insurance company myself to get the referral? Lady - No, you have to see his pediatrician to get him to send one in. &nbsp; O. M. G. So I have to get an appointment with his ped. to get a referral, wait for that paperwork to come in (usually 3 weeks) so that I can make an appointment with the allergist (he's usually 6 weeks out) JUST so I can ask him WHEN we should see him again? Guess that's how insurance companies make their money?! We miss Kaiser. Back in August, my eldest son had a series of allergy tests done. His allergist had mentioned that his food allergies should start going away soon, but that he'd probably pick up more seasonal allergies, and I wanted to have his peanut allergy test re-done to see where we stand with that one. I wasn't sure how long we had to wait before he got re-tested, so I called them today. &nbsp; ME - Hi I need to find out when my son needs to have allergy tests done again. Lady - You have to talk to the doctor about that. ME - ok, can I leave him a message or something? Lady - No you have to have an appointment to talk to him. ME - OKAY, Can I make an appointment then? Lady - No, you need a referral. ME - Do I call the insurance company myself to get the referral? Lady - No, you have to see his pediatrician to get him to send one in. &nbsp; O. M. G. So I have to get an appointment with his ped. to get a referral, wait for that paperwork to come in (usually 3 weeks) so that I can make an appointment with the allergist (he's usually 6 weeks out) JUST so I can ask him WHEN we should see him again? Guess that's how insurance companies make their money?! We miss Kaiser. en-us <p>Oh I HATE having to get referrals. It's so frustrating and time-wasting, and you have to pay co-pays to see the pediatrician, then to see the specialist... IDK what insurance company you have, but the last referral we had to get had a surprisingly quick turn-around, so I hope it goes through the pipeline quickly for you! :)</p> <br /> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_235632 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_235632 <p>Oh I HATE having to get referrals. It's so frustrating and time-wasting, and you have to pay co-pays to see the pediatrician, then to see the specialist... IDK what insurance company you have, but the last referral we had to get had a surprisingly quick turn-around, so I hope it goes through the pipeline quickly for you! :)</p> <br /> <p>Did you try calling the pediatrician to see if they could give you a referral without you having to come in? Sometimes they will do that, depends on the doctor and the insurance.&nbsp; We went to an ear/nose/throat specialist with both of my boys, after the 1st visit with the specialist I didn't have to have a referral, infact with my 2nd son I called the specialist before I saw the primary doctor and had an appointment the same day we saw the primary doctor, and with my sinus surgery I just called the specialist to see him instead of going to my doctor first then over to the specialist.&nbsp; Is your allergist in Bakersfield or out of town?</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_235734 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_235734 <p>Did you try calling the pediatrician to see if they could give you a referral without you having to come in? Sometimes they will do that, depends on the doctor and the insurance.&nbsp; We went to an ear/nose/throat specialist with both of my boys, after the 1st visit with the specialist I didn't have to have a referral, infact with my 2nd son I called the specialist before I saw the primary doctor and had an appointment the same day we saw the primary doctor, and with my sinus surgery I just called the specialist to see him instead of going to my doctor first then over to the specialist.&nbsp; Is your allergist in Bakersfield or out of town?</p> <p>yikes!!!!!! this is why i like my insurance (no need for referrals, no HMO, no medical group i HAVE to go to.)&nbsp; But, then when i make my co-pay each visit, then i curse them.&nbsp; i guess you get what you pay for.&nbsp;</p> http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_236202 http://www.raisingbakersfield.com/home/Blog/Christina/26254/#c_236202 <p>yikes!!!!!! this is why i like my insurance (no need for referrals, no HMO, no medical group i HAVE to go to.)&nbsp; But, then when i make my co-pay each visit, then i curse them.&nbsp; i guess you get what you pay for.&nbsp;</p>