This is ridiculous-rant

 I have to let out some steam. It has been 5 months already. I am at the half way point and my surgeon requires me to see a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist and cardiologist-ALL FROM HIS HOSPITAL. I am paying out of pocket for these because my insurance does not cover these particular doctors, it covers the doctors in the next town, but not these. So anyway, I am trying to have this surgery by the end of this year (which will make 9 months since the start). I made an appt for the cardiologist for October 2. A day later they send me a card changing the appt to Oct 29! Not to mention I just had a FULL cardiac workup in January, including cardiac catheterization-which was all negative (I work in this cardiologist office). But my surgeon wants me to see someone "on his team". So even though I know my heart is fine, I have to wait yet another full month to see the cardiologist so I can pay him hundreds of dollars out of my own pocket so he can tell me what I already know. I'm ok with having to pay out of pocket, but not to be able to get an appt with him for almost 6 weeks is RIDICULOUS!!!  I am so frustrated. 

 I would seriously think about getting a different surgeon. There is NO justifiable reason why your surgeon shouldn't accept cardiac clearance, etc. from an outside hospital. I am a nurse and patient care coordinator and we regularly accept documentation from other hospitals, etc. It is ridiculous for him to make you pay out of pocket when you have insurance that covers these procedures. That has to be frustrating. Sorry you're going through so much crap. Best of luck to you.

My experience with doctors is quite different. They usually bend over backward to help patients get insurance-covered services when it's possible. This is very strange to me.  Is there a reason why you're going to this particular surgeon?

Happens all of the time. They pay each other a cut for referrals. I'm willing to be my life savings that when cardiologist has a patient that's too heavy, they refer them to your surgeon. My mother's PCP tried to do that to her but she wasn't having it.

Anyway, tell him flat out you can't afford it. Tell him you had your heart checked in January and you can provide that report but just refuse to see his doctors. He can deal with it or not. If he's smart, he'll take the money he'll get doing your surgery and a possibly good review over you walking and finding someone else.

Ditto everything already said...I know it's frustrating, but you should think about another surgeon.  Paying for all this stuff out of pocket is ridiculous.  You should be able to choose who you use for those tests!

Tell the doc that you would be happy to see the docs "on his team" if they were "on your insurance company's team", otherwise he can accept the reports from other board certified specialists that are "on your team". As others noted, most docs (at least the good ones,) work hard to coordinate things to work with the patient's insurance, or at least have a very good reason why someone who they may prefer who is out of network is worth the extra cost. It sounds like this doc really doesn't need your business all that much.

We live an hour away from our surgeon.  Our surgeon gave us the choice to come back down for testing at the hospital there, or to see anybody in our hometown that we wish!  I would be a little gunshy with your surgeon.  Sorry....

Thanks for all your replies. I actually looked into another surgeon a couple towns over and went to his seminar and come to find out-I would need to use HIS dietician and psychologist. Maybe its just something in CT?

I don't think that is uncommon about the nutritionist or the psychologist.  We did all the medical tests in our own town, but went to his office for the nut and psych eval.  Good luck to you!