how to get a private endoscopy appointment?

pearly20

HELP!I need to get an endoscopy done ASAP, have grade 3 barretts oesophagus and my condition has deteriorated rapidly since my last endoscopy and diagnosis 2 years ago. Doc referred me but just got an appt from Jameses for december! Cant wait that long, severe difficulty swallowing and choking on food....how/where can I get a private appt?
Thanks

nando

Go back and ask your doctor to refer you to a private clinic. There are several in Dublin (and elsewhere). I had endoscopy done with a consultant in the Bon Secour Hospital a few years ago. Think the appointment took only about 5/6 weeks and I wasn't particulary ill. It will cost though unless you have health insurance.

Hope you get it sorted soon and feel better in the meantime.

pearly20

Thanks for replying, I did ask doc but he says it will be too expensive as I will have to pay not only for the endoscopy but all follow up consultations thereafter, and I dont have health insurance. He insists I just go to casualty next choking episode and hope they order one done immediately...I want to take action myself though, it was more the protocol of appointments I was wondering about, do you just ring the hospitals directly?

eth0_

You have to be referred by another doctor, iirc.

The endoscopy itself isn't expensive (€200 and something in James' i think), but you'd want to check if you will be liable to pay for any resulting treatment out of your own pocket if you go private for the endoscopy!

Would you not get health insurance?

CathyMoran

eth0_ wrote:

You have to be referred by another doctor, iirc.

The endoscopy itself isn't expensive (€200 and something in James' i think), but you'd want to check if you will be liable to pay for any resulting treatment out of your own pocket if you go private for the endoscopy!

Would you not get health insurance?

From experience you have to wait a few years to be covered for preexisting conditions, and that includes just upgrading your care for health insurance if you are going to a hospital that was not covered on the lower plan.

I had an endoscope 2 days after it was requested but I was an emergency case and have had health insurance all my life. It is very difficult to get an endoscope via the A&E route, I tried and did not suceed and I have very serious health problems at the moment.

pearly20

thanks everybody, yep, health insurance is 2 year wait and, get this, they will NOT cover AT ALL for my existing medical conditions....so thats just not an option. I guess I'll just ring the hospitals and see if I can get the appt first ( and then see if I can raise my credit limit on the visa lol)...thanks again

Aggie Plod

I suggest it might be very useful to phone the secretary of the endoscopy unit in St James' and explain that you are anxious for an earlier date and will make yourself available for any cancellations - they are usually very accommodating.