It depends on your region, insurance company, and plan.

This was my experience too. GP referred me to a gastroenterologist and the appointment they offered was so soon it was almost inconvenient.

Lucky you. Maybe they had a last-minute cancellation, or you live in an area in which supply of urologists exceeds demand.

Yeah, I think we have a lack in our area. Years ago when I had a kidney stone, the L3 Trauma Center hospital a few minutes from me had to load me up on dilaudid and ship me from their ER across town via ambulance.