sunidol

For the past 3 years I have been seeing a GP for chronic neck and back pain. Now all of a sudden she wants to refer me to an ortho surgeon and pain med specialist. My problem is this .... I am getting ready to change jobs (very soon) and change health insurance....I am afraid that if I see an orthopedic specialist NOW, on my current insurance, my new insurance will consider it a pre- exisiting condition and won't cover anything at all, meds, surgeries, injections, whatever.... Should I ask her to wait for a referral until after I change insurance? Or is it all ready too late by simply having had xrays taken ( 2 years ago) which shows spinal problems? plus I'm not sure she is willing to wait for the referral... Any ideas? please? sunny

Unless you %100 *know * she gave it IM I don't think you should do anything other than possibly ask her... Ask her if she gave it IM or mention to her that it is admin subq- Teri

So no one knows the answer to any of these questions? Not even one ? Maybe I should post one question at a time so it is easier to read?:typing

I have been working agency for about 4 months and still don't quite understand what is standard practice... I have a few basic questions... I work per diem at an agency- no benefits at all, is this normal? (I was not very selective when I started working with them, as they were the only one I could find in this area where I had just moved) 1. Should "per diem" agency employees make more than full time agency employees? 2. Should an agency nurse make more than a hospital per diem staff ? Let's say the hospital per diem make - oh I don't know, $35/hr, and I make $32/ hr. Apx how much more should I make than a hospital employee? At least 1, 2, 5, dollars? I am not trying to be greedy- But I DO get cancelled a heck of a lot more than they do! 3. I realize that the whole point of agency is to fill a need at a hospital. If I were"booked" for a shift ,then became ill and had to call off, how much hassle should I expect from the agency? Especially if I called off at least 5 hours ahead of the start of shift? 4. Should I be paid for orientation ( amount of time spent there) at a hospital even if they decided they didn't want me ? During my orientation and tour, the HR was showing their unit. She said they had 3 -4-5 patients and no secretary to input orders. I asked how many patients does the aide care for-- I was told they had no aides and no secretary. I expressed surprise that the RNs were expected to take care of 4-5 PCU patients with no aide and no secretary, ( I swear, it was not with a "tone" or attitude.) They later called my agency and said I had a negative attitude!!! Just as well,, I didn't want to work in such a place who completely disregards patient safety. I understand it may come down to whatever the RN wants to negotiate with the agency , I am just trying to get feel for what is "normal." Thank you Sunny