A simple matter became a morass of incompetence. Allergy Boy got an appointment to see Dr. Viess due to hamstring problem that occurred while playing sports. If it's a complete hamstring tear, the clock is ticking. He will need surgery within a few weeks, or it becomes a bigger problem.
How to find out if it's a complete tear? Get an MRI. Stanford doesn't accept my insurance, so Dr Viess said he would send a referral to Tei-Valley Orthopedics (TVO). That wasn't a problem - he said that he makes more referrals out of the Stanford system than within it. That took place on Monday.
We liked Dr Viess, who was an excellent combination of personable and professional. Hence the two stars.
But no referral ever took place, I learned on Friday. I called Stanford Ortho on Friday to re-request the referral, since TVO could get us in for the MRI on short notice. First call was made at 2:05 PM. Stanford Ortho said it should take no more than an hour to send the referral, so Allergy Boy and I hopped in the car to TVO's Tracy office, anticipating the referral. I called Stanford again at 3:20, and 3:52. Each time an "urgent request" was sent to Dr Viess' team for the referral. All they needed to do was fax or email the order to TVO. It's now 4:30, and nothing has happened.
Four days and counting with no referral, for an issue that may require surgery?! UNACCEPTABLE!!! read more