Question:
I was told that I didnt need a referral I could just go straight to a surgeon

BY MY INSURANCE CO. WHO IS BCBS TRADITIONAL THROUGH MY HUSBANDS EMPLOYER I THEN GOT MY BOOK IT ALSO SAID THE SAME I WENT TO MY HUSBANDS EMPLOYER WHO TALK TO THEM AND PUT ON THE SPEAKER PHONE SO I COULD HEAR AND THEY TOLD US THE SAME I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS SAME EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS ON THIS SIGHT SO I AM SOME WHAT CURIOUS ABOUT THIS AND WONDERING IS THIS TRUE I WAS TOLD I COULD GO TO ANY DOCTOR IN STATE OR OUT OF STATE I CHOOSE PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU HAD THIS EXPERIENCE I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. ALSO DOES ANYONE KNOW IF DR.GAGNER IS IN NETWORK WITH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHEILD IF YOU DO PLEASE RESPOND.    — TANGIE B. (posted on September 15, 2000)

September 15, 2000
If you have a PPO, often times you don't have to get a referral. That was my case (although I didn't realize it until after I had already gone to my PCP). I would say that you still need a PCP that is WLS friendly, though, because they will be treating you later. You don't want a PCP that will blame any strange symptoms on WLS out of ignorance. I would call the surgeon's office to find out if they are in network. These things can change. So, better to be safe. Good luck with your quest for WLS! Blessings,
   — Michele A.

September 15, 2000
hello Tangie,I have Blue Shield and I did not have to have a referral,I found the surgeon nearest me and made an appointment and they took care of things from there. I now have a surgery date for oct.9th. Good luck on your journey!
   — Cindy B.

September 15, 2000
Tangie: I have BCBS of ND on a PPO plan and I didn't need a referral either. I just called my surgeon and got in. However, I did go see my personal physician and told him about it and he wrote both a letter of referral for me to the surgeon and the insurance company. I don't know if that helped or was unnecessary. All I know is I got approval in one week which they said was record time! Best wishes and go for it!
   — Cindy H.

September 15, 2000
I also have BC/BS Traditional and I didnt need a referal either. I was approved in seconds over the phone when my surgeons office called to find out what was needed for approval.
   — Robin B.

September 15, 2000
Ditto....
   — Alicia B.

September 15, 2000
I did not need a referral either to the sergeon.. i did talk to my CNP (certified nurse pract.) after i went to the consultation to be sure that i can and will be treated well after surgery.... then again i know i can get another PCP here in this small town if i needed to as well..... good luck.. *S*
   — blank first name B.

September 15, 2000
From what I understand if you have PPO, or what used to be just good old fashioned insurance, before the wave of HMO's, PCP and POS and all those other lovely newfangled things you don't need a referral. But sometimes the surgerons' offices can't understand that you don't have a referral. But... whatever. I would suggest you try to track down all you medical records before hand so it will save time. Good Luck and On to the land of the mobile.
   — Sue M.

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