HMO Coordination

I did a surgery last Wednesday. My spine disc was displaced and pressed the nerves. I could not stand and walk in the past weeks. Laying on the bed is the only way to make my pain away.

I joined the Healthnet HMO. I have my family doctor. Here is the procedure from the time my leg was really hurt to the day of surgery.

Day 1: I need to see the family doctor. He briefly examined my leg. and referred me to took an X-ray on my leg and back. In the mean time, he gave me some pain reliever pills.

Day 2: I did the X-ray and took the medicine. Well...the medication was not working. The pain was there without any imporvement. The X-ray result could not detect anything abnormal.

Day 3: I came back to my family doctor and told him the situation. He decided to write a report to the insurance that I need an MRI (another advance type of X-ray that can see through your nerves). Another strong set of pain killer as well.

Day 4: The insurance approved the MRI. I did the MRI in that evening.

Day 5: The MRI result was out showing that my disc in my spine was displaced. I came back to the family doctor to get his referral to the specialist.

Day 6: I went to the specialist with the MRI films. I was lucky that at the time when I brought my film to the specialist. The doctor just arrived the office and read the films. (usually I need another appointment which will be a nother day or two). He was nice enough to handle my situation immediately. (I guess my situation is already too worst to wait...). He said I need an surgery, but need to get the insurance approval.

Day 7: I eventually got the insurance approval for the surgery. However, I still need to get confirmation from the hospital for room availability.

Day 8: eventaully, the hospital confirmed as well.

Day 9: Surgery in the afternoon

Day 10: rest at home

Day 11: back to work.

This is the coordination problem...I suffer from miserable pain for more than 2 weeks. Remember from day 1 to day 11, there are two weekends in between, and one of the weekend was the President days - a long weekend...

Is there any way to may that more efficient? for example, can the insurance, hospital, family doctor, specialist netowrk connect together? rather than waiting for an verbal confirmation form one another?

Can the drug prescription service available at the family doctor or specialist office? rather than go to Walgreen or Longs Drug? All these should not cost much extra. Are we protecting the drug company or are we protecting the one who needs the care?