How do I find someone to drive me to Dr. appts. (insurance, medical)
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Im getting a procedure done and because I will be sedated, the Dr. office has very strict rules that driver must take me and be there the entire time. I asked if I could take public transportation and the answer was no. I don't have anyone close and trust that would be available to do it.
I was thinking maybe posting an AD in Craiglist but... not much of a fan of that website especially hearing a young couple who were murdered after meeting a man on Craiglist not too long ago in my area.
Would a Church help me someone volunteering to drive? I'm not an active member
Could you not ask cab driver to walk in with you? That way they know you are taking the cab and not making it up? You have to pay cab driver more money to stay with you.
What you need is a Medical Escort Service - I used one, recommended by the hospital (had to go through some red tape to get the recommendation), when I had a colonoscopy. Ask your doctor's office for a recommendation; or at least where to look. Not Craig's List, though!
The clinic where my colonoscopies are done will not sedate you unless you have a designated driver and the driver must remain in the clinic until the procedure is done. My wife is too ill to drive so I asked the clinic if they could simply call a cab for me when done. No way! So for my next colonoscopy, I plan to have the agency who sends home caregivers for my wife, send me an escort to drive me to and from and wait at the clinic while the procedure is being done. Expensive as hell, like $40 and hr. but no other choice.
The clinic where my colonoscopies are done will not sedate you unless you have a designated driver and the driver must remain in the clinic until the procedure is done. My wife is too ill to drive so I asked the clinic if they could simply call a cab for me when done. No way! So for my next colonoscopy, I plan to have the agency who sends home caregivers for my wife, send me an escort to drive me to and from and wait at the clinic while the procedure is being done. Expensive as hell, like $40 and hr. but no other choice.
Addendum: And as far as medical escort service goes, they charge $200+ for taking my wife to-and-from MD appts. and don't wait there. When the appt. is done, we phoned them to return. In all fairness, they do return within a short period after the call.
Check with your insurance company. They may be able to assist with transportation. Albeit, I think the chances are slim, especially with private insurers. In Georgia, Medicaid recipients can get no-cost transportation as a part of their benefits. I don't believe a driver will remain with a patient at the clinic, though.
I would also contact you local agencies that offer services to the elderly. Even if you are not elderly, the agency may know how you can get this kind of assistance.
Why not call your Dr.'s office? They may have an alternate plan, or can put you in touch with a safe alternative.
What do they do for people who have no one to accompany them?
Never, never, never would I look for a transport service in craigslist or any other public newsletter.
The doctors and hospitals dont allow cab divers to transport you home because of liability in the event that the driver charges you too much money or otherwise takes advantage of you.
I've always asked my doctor for info on responsible, bonded parties who offer transport service. There are usually several such companies in large cities. A couple of times when I couldnt get a transport service to accommodate me, I paid my yard man to pretend to be my transport friend. And one time he didnt even have to drive me home -- I was fully alert and he just drove me to my car which was parked in the parking lot, after which I drove home just fine.
I don't know if this has been mentioned, but try a home health care agency. Look under home health care either in the phone book or google.
Perhaps your doctor could keep you overnight? I was in a similar situation once, no one to help me get back and forth, and the doctor simply kept me overnight so I could drive home the next day. I believe they called it a 24-hour observation, insurance paid.
The reason they want someone there is because certain care instructions will be provided and they need someone who can get the instructions, make sure you get home alright, and provide the short term care needed in the hours after the procedure. In many cases, its really not necessary because the patient recovered better than average, but if the facility didn't require the driver, everyone would swear they are capable of driving. Can you imagine how backed up the recovery area would be as they wait to be absolutely (and liability wise) sure you can drive yourself? So, they require this of everyone. As already mentioned, there are many businesses that provide this service; just the OP can't afford them.
Most hospitals here have transport they will take to there and home afterwards. county has senior/disabled transport that will do the same. No charge for either.
Most hospitals here have transport they will take to there and home afterwards. county has senior/disabled transport that will do the same. No charge for either.
This is true, though the OP apparently needs someone to remain at the facility during the procedure as well. I doubt that any public transportation will be able to do this.
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