Cleveland Clinic review: Poor referral experience

I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic endocrinology department by my cardiologist to assure my hypertension was not related to my endocrine system. I subsequently scheduled the appointment and received confirmation with visit instructions. My wife and I then drove 5 hours to my appointment, parked, entered the main facility and eventually found our way to where we needed to be. The normal routine of check-in, insurance, etc. was performed and I was directed to another area of the building for my appointment. Eventually I was led to an examination room with a few more questions, blood pressure, temp, etc. This process took about an hour, then another ½ hour awaiting the Endocrinologist to arrive. All was well at this point, assuming 1 ½ hours is standard wait time for this type of visit.

This is where the experience changes a bit. The Endocrinologist did not know who I was or why I was at Cleveland Clinic. I asked if they had read the referral information and the answer was no since their office had not received any information. For the next 45 minutes I proceeded to provide history on my condition, my understanding of why I was at Cleveland Clinic and provided a copy of recent blood work. The Endocrinologist suggested we do additional blood work, asked if I wanted a COVID booster, suggested an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening and suggested scheduling another appointment with the Cleveland Clinic Spine Medical Center, since during part of the conversation I mentioned stenosis in my neck. I still get those appointment recommendations every time I log into the patient portal MyChart.

I left the appointment a bit puzzled as to why the Endocrinologist did not have any background referral information and I found it strange the appointment was confirmed without having that detail. I proceeded to the blood work area which was a great experience. In and out in a timely manner and the nurse drawing the blood was exceptional. However, I found it odd 6 or 7 tubes of blood were drawn. My wife and I left to drive another 5 hours back home. Quite a long day.

I never heard back from the Endocrinologist so I went to the patient portal MyChart and asked for the results which were subsequently posted. I noticed many of the blood tests done had already been performed by the referring doctor and my PCP, so puzzled as to why repeated. I asked the Endocrinologist to provide a medical opinion after reading through the referral information. Apparently, the Endocrinologist office does not have access to the Cleveland Clinic Referral System so they asked me to have my doctor send them the information. My doctor’s office resent the referral information, but stated they could only send to the Cleveland Clinic Referral Office per procedure. Well, this went back and forth for weeks. As far as I know, the Endocrinologist never did receive any information which I still think is very strange. Why accept a referral appointment without referral information and background. This should be mandatory before scheduling an appointment.

Now the bills start surfacing. If you don’t login to the patient portal MyChart, then you don’t even know a bill exists. Eventually, I received a USPS paper bill for the Endocrinologist services which was paid upon receipt. I still have not received a USPS paper bill for the blood work, but the charges are exorbitant especially since many of the tests had already been done. I then contacted the billing office, explained my experience, mentioned that many of the blood tests should not have been repeated and if done at my local Quest or Lab Corp would have been ½ the cost. I was hoping for some type of concession due to my experience and was sent over to the Cleveland Clinic Ombudsman office where I detailed my experience. I received a call back a week or so later telling me there is nothing they could do, but their reason was based on non-factual incorrect information. I proceeded to offer insight into the correct details, however, I was told the decision was final and they would not review further. Wow! The Ombudsman office did mention they would look at changing their process, but no commitment nor insight into what type of changes would be made. I don’t think anything will be changing since their decision was based on inaccurate information which suggests everything happened as designed.

Bottom line, if you have a referral don’t trust the Cleveland Clinic process works and demand referral background is received and reviewed prior to confirming an appointment. Also, if blood work is part of the process, review the suggested tests to assure no repeats and opt to have blood drawn at your local Quest or Lab Corp which will be ½ the cost.