How common is this?

[Mizar]

My Husband, has only been on In-Clinic Dialysis, for a Year and a Half. We have Traveled Twice, since then and We gave the Social Worker, at the Clinic, at least Six Weeks notice. She made all the Arrangements, for us, at other Clinics. At the end of August, we have to Travel again to Michigan, for a Memorial Service, for my Father-In-Law, who Died Two Weeks ago. The Social Worker at the Clinic, where my Husband, goes to, said, that since it is such short notice and She is only in the Clinic, once a Week, could we call and make our own Arrangements at Clinics in Michigan and have them Fax the info to Her. Since We are fairly new to all this, I'm wondering, is this Common? Do People, make Their own Arrangements all the time?

[jbeany]

Pretty common at my center.  We're in a vacation area in Michigan, so we get plenty of tourists looking to come in to our little center.  I hear the nurses talking directly to the patients on the phone, looking for openings, all the time.

[Hanify]

Yes, it's normal over here (NZ) too.  I would ring and sort out availability if I needed to.

[dwcrawford]

I've been given instructions on what and when to do each step.  Don't know what they'd do on shorter notice. 

[thegrammalady]

while every state is different, i'd say she's asking you to do her job! but i've learned after 3 years that if you want it done you often have to do it yourself. i'd give the other center a call and check it out.

[okarol]

if you want it done you often have to do it yourself. i'd give the other center a call and check it out.

I agree. There's no requirement for referral or pre-approval clinic to clinic - you can make your own arrangements unless you belong to a big chain that has some corporal protocol rules for this - but even so - you should be able to call directly anytime.

To find a dialysis center near where you want to go try using DialysisFinder.com http://www.dialysisfinder.com/ - it will show you Location/Modalities/Distance from the address or zip you provide.

You can also try this site to locate dialysis centers: http://www.medicare.gov/Dialysis/Include/DataSection/Questions/SearchCriteria.asp?version=default&browser=IE|6|Win2000&language=English&pagelist=Home&dest=NAV|Home|Search|SearchCriteria&Type=ZipCode#astep1a

[Mizar]

Thanks for the Replies. After calling the Clinic in Michigan, on Our own, We were told, that that would only arrange it, if Our
Clinic, Faxed, all the Insurance Information to them first. They did and We are all set. The Family made Plans to have the Memorial Service late in the Day, so My Husband, could attend. The Clinic in Michigan, gave us a 6 A.M. appt. for that Day, so My Husband, will be able to do Dialysis, take His Nap and still attend all the Events. It will be a Bittersweet, Trip.
Saying Our Goodbyes, to My Beloved, Father-In-Law, but getting to see all the Family.