How many attempts

[BlueLightRN]

How many attempts do you take to call a patient to get them scheduled or rescheduled? If they don't answer my call 2 times (over a few days) and don't respond to a letter, I close the referral and document. Anyone else have other protocol?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Always send the letter with return receipt requested (the little green card on the outside of the envelope) so you the recipient can't say he never got it. Or if he never did pick it up, the card will never come back to you, and you can recheck the address (see where the checks are going ) and try again. Then notify the adjuster and close your file. :)

[BlueLightRN]

Those cost almost 7 dollars per letter and I can't send them to every patient. They are responsible for having their phone numbers on file and addresses updated so I feel like a regular letter is enough. It would cost thousands a year to send certified mail to everyone.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Those cost almost 7 dollars per letter and I can't send them to every patient. They are responsible for having their phone numbers on file and addresses updated so I feel like a regular letter is enough. It would cost thousands a year to send certified mail to everyone.

Well, you asked. Do what you want. But if this is for work comp, best check your state rules on it. As for me, my clients always like the CYA concept of return-receipt, and it only costs around $2.50, anyway.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: I worked as a Social Worker Case Manager for SMIs on Medicaid back-in-the-day. I used certified mail for all of my correspondents!!! I get that there is an extra cost associated with certifying mail, but in the big scheme of things it is small given the patient population with which you are working (For example, they move around a lot and do not update his/her information, yet he/she will blame you for the fact that no one contacted him/her). Talk to your supervisor first, but I think he/she might agree that certified mail is the best way to go. Also, I was never allowed to close-out a referral just because someone did not respond... That was the task of higher ups, so talk to your Supervisor about that too. Good luck.

[BlueLightRN]

I'm not doing anything state/insurance wise. It's chronic disease management, If the patient opts out the only problem is that they are hurting themselves by declining.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

BlueLightRN, I am in the same boat as you. Document, document, document. I don't send certified letters but I use other methods, find hidden old phone numbers, keep every contact from an insurance CM, use emergency contact numbers...if they told me where they work (or better yet, have seen them at work...I live in a little big town) I use every method to get ahold of someone.

Well, almost every method. I had a teenage girl with Type 2 whose home life was a bit neglectful. I thought I would get creative and looked her the kid up on Facebook. Drew the line at sending her a message though. But I could have.

They may be hurting themselves, but we still have to document that we tried.

[BlueLightRN]

Oh, I do, every phone call, voicemail, disconnected number, and letter sent. A lot of times I get them because they'll call in needing something and I strike the bargain- if you come in to talk to me about your DM/HTN whatever I'll see if we don't have some samples of insulin or what have you that you're asking for.